Enrico Konig
Posts: 74
Joined: 2006-01-06
Location: Vancouver, BC
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Hi Mike,
Yes I have had my share of problems with birdseye myself. Seems to depend on the batch more than anything -- some of it is so fragile, and often the best-looking stuff too. I do use the Festool (60 tooth ATB, if I remember correctly)and mostly have had success with it. Isn't foolproof though when it comes to difficult woods. I recently used some very brittle black walnut burl for a project and the only thing that allowed any cuts with any tool whatsoever without cracking or eyes breaking out was to use the veneer softener GF-20 first. Had perfect results then on the first cut with the Festool. Sometimes just running blue tape down the backside of each piece can really help (really burnish it on). Veneer tape on one side can be very effective too. And I too turn to a sharp veneer saw when I'm having problems with the power cutting tool. (None of those methods helped with the walnut burl though.)
The GF 20 is a bit of a commitment time-wise, but I find it's often more time-consuming in my head thinking about the necessary paper changes than it is in reality, and it really does make those difficult brittle woods so easy to work with.
Best of luck with it.
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