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Bryce Ohneck
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: hi, i'm new here, first post...: i need to find info on where i can purchase black veneer for speaker building projects. i have never tried veneering before, so : any advise would also be apprieciated. thanks!I have just discovered the vacupress website and this great forum, perhaps I can occassionally offer some assistance.Re subject "info on black veneer ..." below are several points to consider:1) Nothing substitutes for your own experimentation and personal experience. I am not knowledgeable about the video referred to above but maybe it would be helpful. An alternative is to explore past issues of Fine Wdwkg mag covering this subject. There are some excellent articles to be had if you have access to the past 10 or so years of issues. In any event, even after you view the video, or read the articles, you are now back to the point where you Wayne will be veneering for the first time. Thus said, go to point # 2.2) Defer purchasing your "black" veneer (whatever that is - more later) until you are more experienced and comfortable with the process. Otherwise you will put yourself in a pressured situation to do it right the first time because you've spent good money on the materials. If you believe this go to step # 33) Experiment with inexpensive veneer first; more on this in step #44) Avoid purchasing your veneer retail from any of the woodworking materials/tools supply houses. Instead, check your yellow pages under cabinet or millwork shops. Choose one that "looks" large because usually they have their own veneer pressing operation of some shape or form. And because of that they usually have an excess of veneer they can't use because it's too "wild", too short, too narrow, off grade, off color, etc. Now don't be greedy. You're just experimenting so ask if they have any "shorts" to sell for their coffee fund. (Shorts might be anywhere from 1 to 3 feet.)Don't call first, just show up and ask to see the shop foreman. You may have to visit a few shops. (For all of you out there reading this reply, trust me, you would weep if you saw what is regularly thrown away in large shop dumpsters. Many of your retail veneer suppliers obtain their veneer from the same sources and then charge what the market will bear.)5) Now that you have a good supply of cheap veneer now try a managable but challenging size of say 1 ft X 2 ft using 3/4" particleboard as your core or MDF (if you rough up the surface a bit with 100 grit). The proper procedure is to balance both sides but don't worry about that for now. You'll be working fast enough as it is with one side, and the additional benefit is that over several days you'll also see what happens when you ignore convention.6) Don't use urea formaldehyde adhesive. It is very unforgiving as an adhesive and sensitive to mixing, contact and pressure. Instead, I'd suggest a good quality PVA (but not one of the premium high viscosity types). If you're still with me go to # 7.7) Gather up lots of weight and a top "pressure plate" or caul as it is known, to ready yourself for the pressing8) Make sure your adhesive is fresh stock and at room temperature9) Fetch a 6" or 7" short nap paint roller and pan.10)With 3/4" masking tape, tape across, over and around the end grain of the veneer on both ends to keep veneer from splitting during handling and pressing11)Pour enough PVA into pan to spread on chosen surfaces of core and veneer (referred to as "double spread").12)Apply adhesive to surfaces. Remember: PVA has a very short "open assembly" time compared to urea formaldehyde so you have to make sure you work fast and get the weight ( or clamping method if you chose) applied quickly. Be sure to place wax or newspaper between the weight and the veneer to serve as a "release agent".13)Allow to dry for at least 24 hours (evaporation of water as thevehicle)14)After the expired time examine your efforts and sand.15)When you then feel comfortable with the process now you're ready for the real thing with your black veneer.16)The real black veneer is one of your ebonies; very expensive per square foot: very tricky to press and to ensure proper adhesion over large surface areas. My suggestion might be to choose less expensive material and finsh black accordingly.Summary: There are many veneering methods and techniques. The above may be a start for you11)
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