Part 1
Introduction
Welcome
Veneering Basics
14 Good Reasons
Vacuum Press Uses
Vacuum Press Options
Overview
Questions & Answers
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Part 2a (Option 1 of 2)
Project: V2 Venturi Press
About Project: V2
Parts List
Build the Manifold
Build the Reservoirs
Assemble the Venturi
Make the Carrier
Wire the Press
Testing and Adjusting
Mods and Options
____________________
Part 2b (Option 2 of 2)
Project: EVS Pump Press
About Project: EVS
Parts List
Pump Selection
Build the Manifold
Build the Sub-Manifold
Build the Reservoirs
Make the Carrier
Final Assembly
Wire the Press
Testing and Adjusting
Mods and Options
____________________
Part 3
Vacuum Bagging
Vacuum Bag Basics
Polyurethane vs. Vinyl
DIY Vacuum Bags (A)
DIY Vacuum Bags (B)
DIY Vacuum Bags (C)
Connect the Bag
Bag Closures
Platens/Cauls
Breather Mesh
Maintenance
DIY Frame Press
____________________
Part 4
Veneer Information
About Veneer
Veneering Myths
Backer Veneer
Veneer Glues
Veneering Tips
Substrate Materials
Flattening Veneers
A Sharp Veneer Saw
Jointing Veneers
Taping Veneers
Dealing with Defects
Curing Glued Panels
Veneering w/o Vacuum
Hammer Veneering
Iron-On Veneering
Veneer Storage
Amazing Bookmatches
Copper Veneer Guide
Paperbacked Veneer
Edgebanding Guide
____________________
Part 5
Miscellaneous Info
Vacuum Forming
Vacuum Chucking
Vacuum Clamping
Vacuum Clamp Matrix
Vacuum Infusing
DIY Vacuum Manifold
JWW Visitors' Vacs
Veneer Quality
Veneering FAQ
Veneer Glue FAQ
The Vac FAQ
Copper Veneer FAQ
Downloads (PDF's)

Maybe you've heard, read, or thought that veneering is a difficult process. This is far from true and its doesn't take much to learn the basics. The methods are simple, the tools and supplies are readily available, and the learning curve is short and straight-forward. Over the many years that this website has been available, I've received countless emails from hobbyist woodworkers and seasoned professionals who wished they had learned about veneer and veneering sooner. Even non-woodworkers have expressed the simplicity of applying a veneer once they understood the basics.

Here's what you need to get started in veneering.

• Veneer - The thin wood that is applied to the surface of the project
• Substrate - The material to which veneer is applied (MDF, plywood, etc.)
• Veneer Glue - Bonds the veneer to the substrate
• Glue Roller - Applies the glue to the substrate
• Veneer Softener - Used to make wavy veneers flat

If you plan to join two or more veneer together, you'll need the items listed below. For more information about jointing veneers, click here.

• Veneer Saw - Cuts the veneer without tear-out or splitting
• Veneer Tape - Holds multiple veneers together while the adhesive cures
• Blue Veneer Pre-Tape - A temporary tape which keeps seams tight while the regular veneer tape dries
• Seam Roller - Smooths out the veneer tape after application
• Straight Edge Tool or Board - Acts as a guide for the veneer saw

VeneerSupplies.com has almost 3,000 veneer related products in stock including all of the tools and supplies mentioned in this article. You'll find everything you need to get into veneering quickly and affordably. By making your purchase at VeneerSupplies.com you are supporting the free articles found here at JoeWoodworker.
Wood Veneer Veneer Glues Veneer Softener Veneer Saws	Veneer Tape Pre-Tape Veneer Tape Moistener Seam Rollers	Vacuum Bags Vacuum Presses Breather Mesh Paperbacked Veneer

Applying Veneer to the Substrate

There are several ways to apply veneer and each method has advantages and disadvantages. Vacuum veneering is considered to be the easiest and most reliable method of attaching veneer to a substrate. Here's a list of the components in a vacuum pressing system.

Vacuum Press System
The vacuum press is the device that removes the air from within the vacuum bag. There are two types of vacuum presses. The auto-cycling vacuum press runs automatically by measuring the vacuum pressure level inside the system and turning on or off as required to maintain a given level of vacuum. The continuous-run vacuum press is simply left running for the duration of the pressing time. Click here for more information.

Vacuum Bag
Think of it as a giant sandwich bag (aka "Zip Lock" bag) in which the air is removed by a vacuum source such as an air-powered venturi or an electric vacuum pump. This creates approximately 1700 lbs per square foot of evenly distributed pressure inside the vacuum bag which is perfect for vacuum veneering. Check out this link for more information about vacuum bags.

Platens
The platens, which are typically made of melamine board or MDF, help to distribute the pressure inside the vacuum press bag evenly through air channels created by cutting grooves on one side of each platen. Some users prefer to use two platens (one platen on the top and one on the bottom of the veneered project) and others prefer to use one platen on the bottom and simply use breather mesh on the top side. More information about breather mesh can be found by clicking here.

No Vacuum Press? No Problem!

There are times when a vacuum press just is not feasible for a project. Whether it's because the project is too big to fit inside a vacuum bag or too small to invest in a vacuum press, there are other ways to successfully veneer a project.

• Weight/Clamp Veneering
• Iron-On Veneering
• Contact Cement Veneering
• Flex-Pro Veneering
• Hide Glue Veneering
• Paperbacked Veneering

To learn more about veneering without a vacuum press, check out the article at this link.

Questions & Answers

I've compiled a list of the most common questions about veneer and veneering on a special Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page. Be sure to check it out and feel free to contact me if any of your questions are not answered.