Darryl Keil Last Activity 2025-09-09 11:09 AM
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Clark Kellogg

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Joined: 2007-01-29
Location: Houston, Texas

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Subject : Large Veneered Box
Posted : 2007-01-29 2:30 PM
Post #33569
I need to veneer a large (55"L x 7"D x 10"H) box on 5 out of 6 sides (similar to PaulH's recent posting.) My question is whether or not it is possible to build the box out of MDF, and then press it in the bag, or would it work better to simply press a set panels, then assemble them into a box? If the "box-in-a-bag" method is possible, what sort of bracing would I need inside the box to keep it from collapsing? In help you can give me would be greatly appreciated. Thanks so much.


 
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Darryl Keil

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Location: Maine

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Subject : RE: Large Veneered Box
Posted : 2007-01-29 9:19 PM
Post #33570 - In reply to #33569
Clark,

Your box, although somewhat large is not too big to put in a bag. Because its a reasonable size I would veneer it assembled.

You did not say what thickness the MDF would be. Assuming it is 3/4" I would put a 5.5" x 8.5" MDF block every 8" down the inside of the box. You should miter rather than butt glue the box together as well. You wouldn't want to veneer over the butt joints and the end grain of the MDF would absorb the glue too much.

Hope this is helpful

Sincerely
Darryl Keil


 
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Clark Kellogg

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Joined: 2007-01-29
Location: Houston, Texas

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Subject : RE: Large Veneered Box
Posted : 2007-01-31 11:45 AM
Post #33571 - In reply to #33570
Darryl,

Thanks so much for your advice. I built an "experimental" box yesterday and it held up fine in the press.

As for applying the veneer itself, is there a way to seal the edges of the MDF so the glue doesn't soak in too much? Do I need to use solid wood banding for each exposed edge, or can I use some sort of grain filler?

Thanks again for your help.

Clark


 
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Don Stephan

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

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Subject : RE: Large Veneered Box
Posted : 2007-01-31 7:25 PM
Post #33573 - In reply to #33571
As Darryl mentioned, the seams of the box should be mitered rather than rabbeted; in this case no MDF edges would show other than the box bottom. When I did several last spring I used urea formaldehyde and 1/8" x 1/2" plywood splines to glue the box, and Collins spring clamps (available from the company and several mail order catalogues) to hold the seams together. UF adhesive did not set too fast to assembly the five sides with splines. I did apply UF to all the MDF edges and then applied a second coat when assembling. Pour the UF into a squeeze bottle to apply, and spread with an acid brush. I applied a Collins spring clamp about every six inches (lots of these clamps).


 
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Darryl Keil

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Subject : RE: Large Veneered Box
Posted : 2007-02-01 9:54 AM
Post #33576 - In reply to #33571
Clark,

The way you worded this second post leaves me a little unclear about something. These edges you want to seal. Are they on the ends of the box or down the long sides?

Sincerely
Darryl Keil


 
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Clark Kellogg

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Joined: 2007-01-29
Location: Houston, Texas

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Subject : RE: Large Veneered Box
Posted : 2007-02-01 7:16 PM
Post #33577 - In reply to #33576
Darryl,

The "box" isn't actually a box at all; it is (or will be) a large, rectangular mantel. The open (or sixth) side of the box will face the wall, and all five other sides will be shown. My problem is this: even if I miter the four narrow sides of the box (the ones that stick out from the wall), the face of the box (this side being parallel to the wall) would still have to attach to the sides somehow. From the previous post, it sounds as though I would need to use some sort of three-way miter in order to eliminate all edge grain. (Which seems way more complicated than necessary, considering I'm just building a box.)

To put it another way: Imagine three pieces of MDF meeting to make a corner. No matter how you arrange the pieces, some edge grain has to show. This was why I was wondering if it would be possible to "seal" the exposed edge grain, either some sort of sealer, or maybe just be using a second coat of glue in that area?

Again, thank you so much for your help, and sorry about the confusion earlier.


 
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Darryl Keil

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Location: Maine

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Subject : RE: Large Veneered Box
Posted : 2007-02-02 8:22 AM
Post #33578 - In reply to #33577
Clark,

Now I see the whole picture better.

I recommend to at least miter the two long edges and glue all the joints with urea resin glue or epoxy, not PVA glues.

As far as the left and right ends go, I would apply a backer veneer first to cover the butt joints of the MDF. You can size the edges of the MDF first with some very diluted PVA glue, just a little thicker than milk, but less than cream. Once it dries, give it a course sand before gluing on the backer veneer with urea resin glue.

Sincerely
Darryl Keil


 
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Clark Kellogg

Posts: 4

Joined: 2007-01-29
Location: Houston, Texas

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Subject : RE: Large Veneered Box
Posted : 2007-02-20 10:46 AM
Post #33638 - In reply to #33578
Darryl -

I've applied the backer veneer to the two short ends, covering up the edge grain of the MDF. Do I need to apply backer veneer to the rest of the box before applying the B.E. Maple? In other words, will having a backer veneer on only two sides of the box drastically affect finishing and color characteristics?

Thanks,
Clark
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