Darryl Keil Last Activity 2026-01-12 8:29 AM
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Don Stephan

Posts: 825

Joined: 2003-07-18
Location: Cincinnati, Ohio

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Subject : Veneered Home Bar Top?
Posted : 2003-08-13 11:13 PM
Post #30944
I've been asked to build an 8' red oak bar for a birthday present. Instead of solid lumber for the bar top, thinking of using Unibond to glue red oak veneer onto water resistant MDF. Finish would be very durable water based product from Jeff Jewitt, www.homesteadfinishing.com. I would glue (again with Unibond or epoxy) solid oak to all 4 edges of the substrate, and apply the finish to all surfaces. Wouldn't this be as durable as solid lumber? Any drawbacks? Thanks.


 
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Darryl Keil

Posts: 1456

Joined: 2003-05-22
Location: Maine

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Subject : RE: Veneered Home Bar Top?
Posted : 2003-08-14 10:35 AM
Post #30947 - In reply to #30944
Don,

My suggestion is to consider a different substrate material. I'm not convinced that even a moisture resistant MDF is the best choice around water. I suggest a material that sign makers use called MDO. It's a waterproof plywood that has an impregnated paper face. I have used it for veneering, and it's a great substrate material.

Other than the substrate material I think you're on the right track.

Sincerely
Darryl Keil


 
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Don Stephan

Posts: 825

Joined: 2003-07-18
Location: Cincinnati, Ohio

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Subject : RE: Veneered Home Bar Top?
Posted : 2003-08-14 7:28 PM
Post #30948 - In reply to #30947
Thanks for the input. I have used MDO for larger flat exterior surfaces on the recommendation of sign makers - it's all they use.

Two questions. I found that yellow glue will not bond at all to the paper surface. I assume Unibond will bond to it? Also, I've seem MDO plywood with paper on just one side or both sides, with a 50-60% price difference. For balance purposes, my instinct would be to use two sided MDO?

Thanks again.


 
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Darryl Keil

Posts: 1456

Joined: 2003-05-22
Location: Maine

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Subject : RE: Veneered Home Bar Top?
Posted : 2003-08-15 9:46 AM
Post #30949 - In reply to #30948
Don,

Unibond 800 will adhere fine to MDO. Yellow glue bonds through moisture absorption and MDO does not provide much of that. Unibond 800 being a catalytic glue doesn't require moisture absorption. I do recommend you give the course sanding with a random orbital for a little extra bite. I know it's more expensive, but I would play it safe and get the two-sided MDO.

Sincerely.
Darryl Keil


 
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Don Stephan

Posts: 825

Joined: 2003-07-18
Location: Cincinnati, Ohio

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Subject : RE: Veneered Home Bar Top?
Posted : 2003-08-16 7:15 PM
Post #30950 - In reply to #30949
Took your suggestion and looked at some MDO at a large (real) lumberyard. The top ply under the paper coating on one side had numerous bubbles significantly lifting the paper coating, and the edge showed a number of interior voids which could telegraph through under vacuum pressure. Is there a particular specification or grade of MDO that I should look for? What I saw was not useable for veneering purposes. Thanks for all your patience.


 
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Darryl Keil

Posts: 1456

Joined: 2003-05-22
Location: Maine

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Subject : RE: Veneered Home Bar Top?
Posted : 2003-08-17 9:24 AM
Post #30951 - In reply to #30950
Don,

I am not aware of different grades and have never seen the problems you saw with MDO. Maybe its a bad batch. You could try baltic birch or even AC regular fir ply. The glue isnt waterproof but it is highly water resistant.

Sincerely
Darryl Keil
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