Don Stephan
Posts: 825
Joined: 2003-07-18
Location: Cincinnati, Ohio
 User Profile |
Although I've no experience with other options (mechanical press, ...) I'd have to think a vacuum press is the easiest way to press veneer to substrates. And by the time the materials are all priced, it might be no more expensive, either.
For initial information and guidance on working with veneers, I would strongly suggest two videos that may now be available also as DVD's: "Working with Veneer" by the host of this forum, Darryl Keil, www.vacupress.com and "Decorative Veneering" by Paul Schurch www.schurchwoodwork.com. There is some overlap between the two but I would recommend purchasing both.
I haven't found a book I really like that includes vacuum pressing, but "The Complete Manual of Wood Veneering" by Lincoln is an excellent general reference on topics except vacuum veneering.
Some people have had repeated success with PVA and a hot iron, but it is essential that if there are any seams in the veneer, the veneer must be WELL dried before exposing it to the heat of an iron. I learned this with a very unfortunate experience, and don't plan to use PVA and irons on anything other than perhaps veneer edging in the future.
You could make smaller items, such as jewelry boxes, marquetry pictures, ... without a vacuum press using a few hand clamps, but even coffee tables are likely too large for hand clamp veneer pressing. And tables are generally going to have mortise and tenon joints, solid wood parts that require flattening and jointing, ... which CAN be done by hand if one has patience and good (mid to expensive) hand tools, but otherwise require additional power equipment such as a drill press, router, jointer, ...
To make veneered tables, one has to develop some knowledge and expertise with joinery and hardwoods; as well as veneering equipment and materials. If you are starting from the beginning, perhaps you could find a woodworker willing to make table legs, aprons, and joints, and allow you to focus initially on veneering? Just a thought... Another (later) thought would be to look for unfinished furniture that would allow you to substitute your own veneered top, or perhaps old furniture on which you could do similar.
|
