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Darryl Keil

Last Activity 2025-09-09 11:09 AM
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JayJolliffe

Posts: 10

Joined: 2008-11-14
Location: Islesboro, Maine

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Subject : Making & veneering bed rails
Posted : 2010-01-28 2:31 PM
Post #35880

I've done a small amount of veneering so this is what I'm going to attempt.I need to make some bed rails 1 1/2" thick with a 3/4 radius on the top of one side. I was going to laminate 2 3/4" thick birch plywood together in the press. Then radius the top edge. Then I've already joined together enough macasser ebony to do the side with the radius. To do that side I was going to raise the ply off the platen 1". Glue up the rail apply the veneer, dampen the top maybe 2" of the veneer to help it form the edge & use breather mesh to form it to the radius. Any pointers would be appreciated or am I going about this the wrong way.

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Darryl Keil

Posts: 1455

Joined: 2003-05-22
Location: Maine

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Subject : RE: Making & veneering bed rails
Posted : 2010-01-28 7:52 PM
Post #35883 - In reply to #35880

Jay,

Its generally not advised to veneer over the edge layers of plywood as they will telegraph through the veneer over time. I would be more inclined to make the rails out of solid wood and veneer over that. As long as the veneer is going in the same direction as the solid wood you'll be fine. If you make it out of one piece of 8/4" then there would be no glue joints at all. Its best not to have your face veneer go over any glue joint.

As far as applying the Macassar Ebony over the radiused rails, I think your method is fine. I'm not sure you'll need to dampen the veneer, but if you do, do it once the veneer is laid in place and then do it very lightly with a sponge. There's no need for the breather mesh as long as you have the grooved platen in the bag.

I recommend a sample test to get the feel of the process and to see if you need to wet the veneer at all.

Darryl Keil

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JayJolliffe

Posts: 10

Joined: 2008-11-14
Location: Islesboro, Maine

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Subject : RE: Making & veneering bed rails
Posted : 2010-01-29 4:36 AM
Post #35885 - In reply to #35883

Thanks for answering Darryl. What would you use for the 8/4...Something straight grain that doesn't move to much. VG fir ?

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Darryl Keil

Posts: 1455

Joined: 2003-05-22
Location: Maine

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Subject : RE: Making & veneering bed rails
Posted : 2010-01-29 11:42 AM
Post #35886 - In reply to #35885

Jay,

I don't think the grain matters all that much in this case. Bed rails aren't that wide and the veneer is going in the same direction as the solid so both will move together.

Personally I would pick something hard for strength like maple.

Darryl Keil

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JayJolliffe

Posts: 10

Joined: 2008-11-14
Location: Islesboro, Maine

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Subject : RE: Making & veneering bed rails
Posted : 2010-02-01 10:05 AM
Post #35897 - In reply to #35886

Please excuse the stupid question but do I need a caul between the piece & the bag. I'm doing a small test piece & it's not forming to the radius to well. I've raised it off the bottom platen about 1 1/2" maybe I need to go more?

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Darryl Keil

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Joined: 2003-05-22
Location: Maine

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Subject : RE: Making & veneering bed rails
Posted : 2010-02-01 11:56 AM
Post #35899 - In reply to #35897

Jay,

Did you wet the veneer lightly? Is it not forming to the entire radius or just towards the bottom near the platen?

Darryl

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JayJolliffe

Posts: 10

Joined: 2008-11-14
Location: Islesboro, Maine

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Subject : RE: Making & veneering bed rails
Posted : 2010-02-01 2:41 PM
Post #35900 - In reply to #35899

Well it formed to the radius OK when it was done.It was a little iffy at the beginning but after a few hrs it was OK. I did another test piece & put a angled shim under the piece so it would raise the radius up a little more. With out a caul on top I'm worried about the edges working on the bag.I was going to make the rails long & round over the edges then cut them off when it's done. I didn't have to wet it. Rolled the edge OK.

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Darryl Keil

Posts: 1455

Joined: 2003-05-22
Location: Maine

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Subject : RE: Making & veneering bed rails
Posted : 2010-02-02 3:33 PM
Post #35902 - In reply to #35900

Jay,

I think if you elevate the rails up 2" you'll get all the pressure you need on the radius. I use rigid 2" building insulation for this.

Make the rail at least 1" longer to deal with what the bag does with the veneer at the end and you should be fine.

Darryl Keil

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JayJolliffe

Posts: 10

Joined: 2008-11-14
Location: Islesboro, Maine

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Subject : RE: Making & veneering bed rails
Posted : 2010-02-02 3:58 PM
Post #35906 - In reply to #35902

Thanks Darryl. For some reason I didn't think if the ridged insulation. I used mdf. The insulation would of been a lot easier. I have a lot of it left over building my house....Next time I guess.

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