JoeWoodworker
JoeWoodworker Veneer
The Official Website of this Non-Professional Woodworker ™

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
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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
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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

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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
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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)

VeneerSupplies.com

Vacuum Veneering - Tips, Tricks, and More

Getting Started in Veneering?

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.

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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 Project EVS Vacuum Press
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.

Veneered GuitarVacuum 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
Vacuum Press PlatenThe 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.

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The Vac FAQ
Heat Lock Veneer Glue
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