Veneering the Panel

smithhb · Post by **smithhb** » Mon Jul 07, 2008 8:26 am

Just wanted to show something a little different. I veneered my panel with some nice Chestnut Burl I was able to snag. I glued it on with contact cement and used a vacuum press to set. Then, I shot it with 10 coats of water-based urethane, sanding with 400 grit between each coat.

Post by **Spike** » Mon Jul 07, 2008 8:38 am

Wow. Nice! Way too much work for me though.

cjensen · Post by **cjensen** » Mon Jul 07, 2008 8:39 am

That looks great Bret!! I like the lighter wood color.

smithhb · Post by **smithhb** » Mon Jul 07, 2008 8:55 am

Thanks, it really is not technically difficult, just time consuming. I was able to work on other things between coats drying.

Now, I'm prepping for the big ECI engine assembly this weekend...

JohnR · Post by **JohnR** » Tue Jul 08, 2008 9:30 pm

Bret, that looks really nice. Where did you get the vacuum press? You buy that or make it? I would like to give that a try on my panel. Do you think there will be any issues with difference in expansion rates between the materials causing it to come loose?

Thanks for sharing.

smithhb · Post by **smithhb** » Wed Jul 09, 2008 6:48 am

John,

The vacuum press is from Rockler. (Rectangle Vacuum Press Kit, 14'' x 47'' )

http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page ... um%20press

You will also need a few ounces of High-quality contact cement and a roller for setting the veneer. http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page ... ter=cement

I sealed the veneer with 10-coats of water-based clear urethane. The urethane will protect the veneer from UV as well as moisture and humidity. The veneer is so thin (1/32") that, when adhered to the panel, will expand and contract with the panel. I expect that after about 20 years I will begin to see some minor glazing in the urethane...

Also, if you are considering veneering your panel, wood (of any species) will tend to darken over time. I chose to forego staining my burl in order to keep it as light as possible. Some folks may desire a dark panel but with burls I prefer to keep them light.

Let me know if you have any more questions.

cnpeters · Post by **cnpeters** » Wed Jul 09, 2008 7:34 am

Brett - very nice work. You precut the veneer for the instruments/switches before bonding - was the veneer thin enough to cut with a knife or veneer saw? Many burl veneers are fairly wavy - did you need to do some flattening (eg wetting and a press) before you did the cutouts?