This was one of my first veneering jobs a number of years ago. I've done quite a few cabinets and counter-tops using plastic laminate (Formica) so had plenty of experience using water based contact adhesive. The paper-backed veneer was very easy to work with, much easier to install and trim than p-lam but there are obviously extra steps involved in the final finishing.
The client inherited the console from his grandfather who had it stored in a basement. Hope this inspires someone to save an old piece of audio gear that may otherwise be sent to the dumpster.
Here is the finished product, I'll follow-up with some "before" images as well as the process.
The client inherited the console from his grandfather who had it stored in a basement. Hope this inspires someone to save an old piece of audio gear that may otherwise be sent to the dumpster.
Here is the finished product, I'll follow-up with some "before" images as well as the process.
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After disassembly, the first thing to do was to prep all of the edges and surfaces to receive the new veneer
Routing a "rabbet" (or "rebate" in UK)
Glueing in hardwood edging to give the new veneer solid footing
Sanding everything with 60 Grit sandpaper to give the water-based contact cement something to grip to
Routing a "rabbet" (or "rebate" in UK)
Glueing in hardwood edging to give the new veneer solid footing
Sanding everything with 60 Grit sandpaper to give the water-based contact cement something to grip to
Thanks.
Yes, those manufactured here in the US had much more solid wood than those manufactured in Germany where this one was from.
This is out of sequence, but before I veneered it, I glued a piece of hardwood to the interior to remedy a sag that the case had developed from sitting in a damp basement
Nice job. I love those old stereo consoles.... at least some of them... they made quite a few cheap ones..
I used Howard's Restore-A-Finish to redo a walnut console.
It was in better shape than yours and has lot of hard woods in it.
Did you redo the electronics? I bought a pair of PSB in wall 6" coax speakers to mount in it and I got a B1 preamp and an ACA that I want to mount in it. Thinking of putting a Bluetooth bridge for it as well. The center of my console has tambour doors in the center that slide behind the speaker drivers mounted on the front "grills" on either side... so I got to adapt that plinth so there's enough clearance in there between the drivers and the doors.
I'm also thinking of closing off the back wall of the speaker "enclosures"...
But right now it sits, looking glorious, in one of our back guestrooms.
I used Howard's Restore-A-Finish to redo a walnut console.
It was in better shape than yours and has lot of hard woods in it.
Did you redo the electronics? I bought a pair of PSB in wall 6" coax speakers to mount in it and I got a B1 preamp and an ACA that I want to mount in it. Thinking of putting a Bluetooth bridge for it as well. The center of my console has tambour doors in the center that slide behind the speaker drivers mounted on the front "grills" on either side... so I got to adapt that plinth so there's enough clearance in there between the drivers and the doors.
I'm also thinking of closing off the back wall of the speaker "enclosures"...
But right now it sits, looking glorious, in one of our back guestrooms.
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You are clearly a master of your craft. What would you charge to do all this work in the present day?
I realize that console was a family heirloom.
I realize that console was a family heirloom.
I've used Howard's for minor blemishes, works pretty well. This one needed major surgery though.
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That's a pretty good guess. I charged a little less than that 7 or so years ago.