I picked up some very thin unbacked black walnut veneer to cover some small speakers I just built. I have heard many people recommend the iron on method.
Will the iron on method work with the unbacked walnut?
I have put a 1/4" radius on the edges, will it be ok to wrap the veneer?
Will it crack around the radius, the veneer seems very fragile?
Any tips, advice, tutorials you can provide would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Jeff
Will the iron on method work with the unbacked walnut?
I have put a 1/4" radius on the edges, will it be ok to wrap the veneer?
Will it crack around the radius, the veneer seems very fragile?
Any tips, advice, tutorials you can provide would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Jeff
Contact cement, very thin coat. Let it dry thoroughly. Ironing raw veneer can lead to bleed-through. Flatten it with a bit of wood that you've ever so slightly rounded an edge of with sandpaper. It will go around the radius unless it doesn't. Wrap it around slowly and carefully.
If the veneer seems too rigid for the radius then just don't risk it. Run it up to the edge of the radiused wood, then sand it down around the edges so that the edge of the veneer is not raised. Then stain the sucker, the corners won't match but hopefully they'll come close....
Only patience will yield good results.
If the veneer seems too rigid for the radius then just don't risk it. Run it up to the edge of the radiused wood, then sand it down around the edges so that the edge of the veneer is not raised. Then stain the sucker, the corners won't match but hopefully they'll come close....
Only patience will yield good results.
You can get sheets of iron on veneer glue, that are easy to use.
Glue Film, Glue Film Iron On Veneer Adhesive, Hot Melt Adhesive For Veneering, Veneer Tools, Veneer Tape, Veneer Saw, Veneer Hammer, Contact Glue - Glue Film and Adhesives
I havn't tried the contact adhesive method, but will.
If I had the money I would get a vacuum kit for veneer, but for the small amount I do cant justify the costs, these give the best results.
For ironing I use a very very old elctric iron (cast iron, no steam) that I think my grandma had, that works much better than modern ones. I also have sheets of baking parchment (non-stick) around to cover the veneer and protect it.
Glue Film, Glue Film Iron On Veneer Adhesive, Hot Melt Adhesive For Veneering, Veneer Tools, Veneer Tape, Veneer Saw, Veneer Hammer, Contact Glue - Glue Film and Adhesives
I havn't tried the contact adhesive method, but will.
If I had the money I would get a vacuum kit for veneer, but for the small amount I do cant justify the costs, these give the best results.
For ironing I use a very very old elctric iron (cast iron, no steam) that I think my grandma had, that works much better than modern ones. I also have sheets of baking parchment (non-stick) around to cover the veneer and protect it.
The baking parchment (wax paper to us) is the way to go if you choose to iron-on. But I have to say I've used both methods and prefer contact cement. If you're going around a bend I say contact is the best bet, it's instant adhesion gives less opportunity for cracking, and the heat of the iron combined with the fact that effectively ironing a radius is tricky makes me cringe for your thin walnut.
Ironing is more forgiving though. Contact cement is a zero-sum game. Once that veneer touches the surface it's there for good, so no ****-ups permitted. That finickyness makes matching up grain almost a non-starter as well. But as long as you have lots of veneer it's not so stressful to apply, just give yourself a good inch-plus excess on all your cuts so that if you don't place it quite perfectly you'll still have total coverage.
Ironing is more forgiving though. Contact cement is a zero-sum game. Once that veneer touches the surface it's there for good, so no ****-ups permitted. That finickyness makes matching up grain almost a non-starter as well. But as long as you have lots of veneer it's not so stressful to apply, just give yourself a good inch-plus excess on all your cuts so that if you don't place it quite perfectly you'll still have total coverage.
Thanks for the info guys. I have used contact cement in the past so I can easily go that route. I did not think about the glue bleeding through when using the iron, that would not be good.
Thanks for the info guys. I have used contact cement in the past so I can easily go that route. I did not think about the glue bleeding through when using the iron, that would not be good.
A plastic bag and a jug of water are all you need! The water flowing out of a sealed container will create a vacuum! Next step up is a small surplus pump, around here they can be had for under $20.00. Slow set glues give you time to purge the bag. Walmart and similar stores sell bags designed to store clothes compacted by the household vacuum cleaner. They work decently for this!
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