Question about veneers/laminates

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chris3377

Question about veneers/laminates
« on: 8 Jul 2009, 01:02 am »
Hello all. I have recently started the whole process of remodeling my theater room and came upon the same old problem I had when I was building my speakers. If you saw my speakers I built then you know I painted them in silver and black. I wanted to go with a darker wood, like a cherry, and a lighter wood, like a birch. The problem was I don't know how you get the edges to look nice without showing unless the stuff is so thin it is like paper. Take for instance now, I am using a plywood as a decorative cover over some trim in my room that I have stained a beautiful red cherry color. The plywood is super thin but even that shows the edges. If I went and spent 100 bucks on some beautiful burl wood veneer for my next project how do I keep it looking beautiful when it gets to the edges? I have thought about using my router to make a 45 degree bevel on it, but given how thin it is to begin with I don't know if that will work. Please help me oh masterful cabinet builder gods.

nickd

Re: Question about veneers/laminates
« Reply #1 on: 8 Jul 2009, 06:16 pm »
Hi Chris,

I think you want "papar back veneer" It comes in a roll and you appily it with contact cement (spray on prefered). You have to put it on a very true surface like medite and then trim the edges with a razor blade. It takes some pratice to come out nice. The down sides are stains like dark red "cherry" are not often compatable and I don't think you can buy "pre dyed" paperback. You also have to protect it with a spray on conversion varnish or a UV activated clear coat. that stuff is difficult to work with if you don't have a spray booth and a shop.

Not much help i know but all information is good :roll:

dvenardos

Re: Question about veneers/laminates
« Reply #2 on: 8 Jul 2009, 08:29 pm »
Surprised that you have gotten any responses from the pros.
I asked basically the same question and was told to lightly sand the edges at a 45 degree angle.

I would recommend the iron on method:
http://www.oakwoodveneer.com/tips/ironon.html

Here are my av-1rs demonstrating the iron on technique and after the first coat of stain (I made the mistake of not pre-staining the birch which you definitely need to do):
http://picasaweb.google.com/dvenardos/Av1rs?authkey=Gv1sRgCOXw3sL01YrGMg&feat=directlink

chris3377

Re: Question about veneers/laminates
« Reply #3 on: 10 Jul 2009, 01:28 am »
I can't even cut a straight line while using a table saw, so I don't know how I am going to sand at 45 degrees and expect the edges to fit right. If I could cut straight I wouldn't need to hide the edges with trim or veneer them in the first place. I would just buy cherry wood and cut it, but knowing how many times I have to redo everything and given how expensive nice wood is I would have to sell a kidney and a lung to pay for my mistakes. I think I am going to call around in the phone book and see if I can go sweep floors or something at a cabinet shop for a day or so if they will show me something to make this easier for me.  :duh:

corndog71

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Re: Question about veneers/laminates
« Reply #4 on: 10 Jul 2009, 07:59 pm »
Dude, you are not alone.

I can't cut a straight or square piece of wood to save my life!  :banghead: