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The Official Website of this Non-Professional Woodworker ™ |
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Part 1
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Paperbacked veneer is exactly what the name implies. It's a real wood veneer permanently bonded to a paper backing. The backing is generally available in a 10 and a 20 mil thickness. Mil or mil thickness is the common measurement of a coating. One mil equals 1/1000 of an inch. A quarter inch would be 250 mils. A 10 mil backing is best for most projects . However, a 20 mil version is available for situations where the substrate is less than perfectly flat. In this case, the extra paper thickness allows the veneer maintain a more consistent look after application. Keep in mind that the 10 and 20 mil thickness is a reference to the thickness of the paper backing, not the veneer face.
Wood-on-wood, also known as "2-ply veneer" is two wood veneers permanently bonded together. The face veneer grain is perpendicular to the backer veneer which provides protection against bubbling which occurs when a veneer is improperly bonded to the substrate. This type of "crossband construction" allows the veneer to bend on moderate curves in the horizontal or vertical direction. The veneer used on the back side of a 2-ply veneer is often an imported hardwood of lesser value.
Pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) veneer is a type of paperbacked veneer that is a simple and easy alternative for applying veneer without the need for a liquid adhesive. Utilizing 3M™ adhesives, PSA veneer provides a permanent bond to any smooth substrate that is dry and free of dust and contaminants. PSA-backed veneer is the perfect choice for cabinet refacing, hi-fi speaker building, automotive dashboards and much more. It can be cut and trimmed with ordinary tools, such as scissors or a razor knife.
VeneerSupplies.com is the companion website to the JoeWoodworker pages. You'll find over 1,000 veneer related products there. If you are looking specifically for paperbacked veneers, check out this page. Wood-on-wood or 2-ply veneers can be found here.
Wood-on-Wood or 2-Ply Veneer - .035" or just over 1/32" All thicknesses may vary by .005" and these dimensions are based on the veneer and edgebanding offered at VeneerSupplies.com.
The standard size for most backed veneer is 4' x 8'. The 4 foot measurement is the width of the sheet across the grain. The 8 foot measurement is the length of the sheet parallel to the grain. Most vendors oversize the sheets by ¼" on both the length and the width.
The part of the project that the veneer is applied to is called the substrate. Here is a list of substrates and adhesive information. Note that this chart applies to paperbacked veneers only. More information about various veneering adhesives can be found here.
*For cold press veneer glue and Heat Lock, sand the back side of the veneer and the face of the substrate with 150 grit sandpaper. This will make the surfaces more porous and allow the adhesive to bond the materials with exceptional durability. **A coat of shellac should be applied to this substrate before applying a PSA backed veneer.
Before You Begin It may be necessary to set weight on the ends of the veneer to keep it flat while it acclimates and losses its "rolled memory". The substrate must be smooth, clean, and dry prior to application of the veneer. Contact Cement
If you are using contact cement you'll only need a veneer scraper to apply the veneer. More information about the veneer scraper can be found on this page. A handheld roller is not suitable for applying veneer. It simply does not concentrate enough pressure over the contact surface to create a durable bond. A veneer scraper is a must! Be sure to scrape the entire surface of the veneer (going with the grain) to achieve a maximum strength bond. Most manufacturers recommend scraping the surface twice. Always use the centerline technique (figure 2) when using the scraper tool.
PSA Veneer Keep in mind that PSA adhesives bond instantly on contact. Be certain that you have the veneer positioned correctly before applying the veneer.
Cold Press Veneer Glue Inspecting and Troubleshooting If the bubble is caused by a lack of adhesive, you can split the bubble open with a razor knife, inject more adhesive, and press the veneer again using the tool recommended for the adhesive.
No. Each sheet is made up of several veneers, called faces, laid side by side with opposite sides showing. This is called bookmatching. The individual veneers used to make sheet of backed veneer can range from 3" to 8" in width. With the exception of burls, the face veneers are 8 foot in length on a 4' x 8' sheet.
Advantages
Disadvantages
Yes. The edge of the backer is somewhat visible. However, it will almost disappear when a stain is applied. If the edges of the substrate are visible, you can apply edgebanding after the veneer is applied. The edgebanding will hide the backer.
Sequence matching is the process in which the factory ships the customer sheets of veneer that reasonably match each other in terms of color and grain pattern. This option is great for large projects where consistency is critical to success.
The veneer is pre-sanded to 150 grit at the factory. However, many users find that they get a more even stain color if they sand the veneer one grit grade higher than the rest the project. So if you sanded the solid wood parts of a project with 150 grit sandpaper, you might consider sanding the veneered parts with 180 grit.
Though it has been argued time and time again, there are no veneers suitable for outdoor use.
Paperbacked veneer can be cut to size with scissors or a razor knife. Two-ply veneer can be cut with a hand saw. Trimming a veneered panel is most commonly accomplished with a flush-trimming ball bearing piloted router bit. You can also trim the veneered panel on a table saw with an 80-tooth saw blade.
It is rolled up in a box and shipped via FedEx or USPS (depending on destination). The factory can usually ship 5 to 7 paperbacked veneers in a single box that is 10 " x 10" x 50". Two-ply veneers ship in a larger box because it can not be rolled as tightly as a paperbacked veneer. This box is usually 14" x 14" x 50" and is considered oversized by the carriers so the shipping rates are a bit higher.
Since it is a real wood product, it stains just like a piece of solid lumber. However, many users find that they get a more even stain color if they sand the veneer one grit grade higher than the rest the project. So if you sanded the solid wood parts of a project with 150 grit sandpaper, you might consider sanding the veneered parts with 180 grit.
Most 2-ply veneers can accept a bend up to 5" along the length of the grain and 8" across the grain. Veneer softener is generally not effective on 2-ply veneers.
Yes. When buying a backed veneer, be sure to specify a grade of AA or better. Anything less will have mineral streaks, bark, sapwood, or other defects. If the vendor can not tell you the grade, its best to assume the worst. |
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Iron-On Veneering with Heat Lock™ Glue
When veneer is sliced, a distortion of the grain occurs. The knife blade, as it hits the wood, creates a "loose" side where the cells have been opened up by the blade and a "tight" side. Because the "tight" and "loose" faces alternate in adjacent pieces of veneer in book matching, they may accept stain differently. This may result in a noticeable color variation called barber poling. Slip matching (all veneer faces are in the same direction) is often used in quartersawn and rift cut veneer to minimize the barber pole effect. This is an available option at VeneerSupplies.com. 
Most paperbacked veneer species can take up to a 1" radius bend along the length of the grain and 5" radius bend across the grain. A light coat of  |
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