Darryl Keil Last Activity 2025-02-12 2:48 PM
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John Percifield

Posts: 5

Joined: 2008-08-13
Location: West Lafayette, Indiana

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Subject : Veneer over solid wood table legs
Posted : 2008-08-14 7:39 AM
Post #34842
I am building a table with very nice figured ash veneer on the top. I would also like to use this veneer to dress up the plain ash legs. The legs are 2.75 inches square. Here are my questions: 1. I assume it is not a problem to veneer over the two opposite sides with the grain running the same as the veneer, but should it be cross banded? 2. In this short distance of 2.75 inches, would I have problems if I veneered over the other two sides, where the grain runs the other direction? Would crossbanding help? 3. I typically use unibond; is it the best for this application? 4. The table top substrate is baltic birch. Should I use make two ply for the top?
I researched the forums and did not find references to veneering over solid wood for such a short distance, so I appreciate any advice and comments. Thank you.


 
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Gregory Paolini

Posts: 17

Joined: 2005-02-22
Location: Western North Carolina

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Subject : RE: Veneer over solid wood table legs
Posted : 2008-08-14 8:05 AM
Post #34843 - In reply to #34842
With regards to the legs - I build a fair ammount of Arts & Crafts inspired furniture, using quartersawn white oak. When I make legs (typically 2 1/2" square) for the furniture, naturally I only have quarter sawn grain on two sides. The other two sides of the legs show the flat sawn grain, and have a slightly different expansion and contraction rate.

I use a method that Gustav Stickley used on a lot of his furniture, applying quarter-sawn veneer to the two "Flat grain" sides of the legs. I typically use a yellow PVA in these cases, because it's more flexible than the Unibond, and will allow for some expansion/contraction differences. Stickley has examples of this technique over 100 years old, that have held up quite well. In addition, a whole bunch of "State" furniture was made, gluing fancy veneers onto solid poplar substrates. This was done with Hide glue primarilly.

With regards to the top - A two ply shouldn't be required - Make sure the panel is balanced with a comparable veneer, and the same adhesive. It would be best to run the grain of your veneer perpendicular to the grain of the birch ply substrate too.

Hope this helps

GP



 
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John Percifield

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Joined: 2008-08-13
Location: West Lafayette, Indiana

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Subject : RE: Veneer over solid wood table legs
Posted : 2008-08-15 7:37 AM
Post #34845 - In reply to #34843
Greg, thanks. From your response I gather that you think I should be OK in doing this if I use PVA, and crossbanding in the legs would not be required. Right?


 
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craig tufankjian

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Joined: 2004-02-01
Location: syracuse ny 13208

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Subject : RE: Veneer over solid wood table legs
Posted : 2008-08-14 8:59 AM
Post #34844 - In reply to #34842
the process Gregory explained has been abandon for the new process of using for pieces all showing quartered grain and then lock mitering the corners. with the advent of the weinig molder and lock miters came the new style. . it proved to be far less expensive as well,from a volume stand point. you'll see a small blip in this video of the leg assembly.

http://www.stickley.com/OurStickleyStory.cfm?SubPgName=TheStickleyVideo

if your leg is square or has no shape to it can you replace the ash with mahogany or white oak? ash is not very stable to veneer over

if you are veneering over baltic birch your face veneer should not be going in the same direction as the birch (unless it's rotary cut), then you may be OK. if this table is a dining table I'd two-ply. better safe than sorry


 
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John Percifield

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Joined: 2008-08-13
Location: West Lafayette, Indiana

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Subject : RE: Veneer over solid wood table legs
Posted : 2008-08-15 7:46 AM
Post #34846 - In reply to #34844
Thank you, Craig. I think mitering the corners would solve the problem. Short of that, is it your thought the veneering would hold on the 2.75 inch cross grain sections of the legs?

Also thanks for the video reference.


 
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texasthunderwoodwork

Posts: 25

Joined: 2007-10-31
Location: Central Texas

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Subject : RE: Veneer over solid wood table legs
Posted : 2008-08-15 9:23 PM
Post #34847 - In reply to #34842
John-
I will share my ideas, weather they are proper or not, I dont know, but they work.
I have veneered a bunch of legs. Usually I veneer over poplar, douglas fir, or soft maple. I have used figured walnut, curly maple, cherry, tamo ash, and a few other veneers. I have also done the QSWO method, but now use the lock miter method. I have never had any problem with any of the legs, and I have never crossbanded. If you are using, and I assume you are, commercial veneer that is 1/42 you should not have any problem.
HTH
Dave



 
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John Percifield

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Joined: 2008-08-13
Location: West Lafayette, Indiana

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Subject : RE: Veneer over solid wood table legs
Posted : 2008-08-16 9:12 AM
Post #34851 - In reply to #34847
Dave,
Thank you. If I understand you correctly, you have(in the past)veneered legs both with and across the grain successfully, is that correct? What glue do you use for this? Also, what is the QSWO method? I am glad to hear your methods work and want to make sure I understand them. Thanks again.
John Percifield


 
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texasthunderwoodwork

Posts: 25

Joined: 2007-10-31
Location: Central Texas

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Subject : RE: Veneer over solid wood table legs
Posted : 2008-08-16 2:13 PM
Post #34852 - In reply to #34851
John-
Yes, I have veneered across both types of grain. I have a pretty good mentor, and when he taught me about veneering legs, he said with commercial veneer, and the width of the legs, the amount of movement is very tiny.
As for the QSWO method, it was mentioned earlier. It involves veneeering the grain on qswo so that the medulary rays show on all four sides.

I just finished some coffee table legs, that were soft maple, and I veneered them with curly eucalyptus. The actual grain of the wood runs length ways, but the curly figure runs width ways, so it has a nice visual effect.

Dave

Opps- you did ask about glue- I use better bond and have great success with it. Its already pre-mixed and ready to use. Biggest advantage i have found with this glue, is the amount of bleedthru has been all but eliminated. ESPECIALLY on qswo.
The glue is available here-http://www.veneersupplies.com/product_info.php?cPath=40&products_id=59&osCsid=caf1ab880a83e1c9aa4ddc7ac6d6d961



 
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John Percifield

Posts: 5

Joined: 2008-08-13
Location: West Lafayette, Indiana

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Subject : RE: Veneer over solid wood table legs
Posted : 2008-08-16 4:32 PM
Post #34853 - In reply to #34852
Dave,
Thanks again. Intuitively it seemed OK but I feel better knowing others have done it. Also, thanks for the glue reference. I will follow up.

John Percifield
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