Veneering an assembled cabinet

Andrew Barss wrote:
> Why not combine (1) and (3)? Tape up the pattern, then put on yellow
> glue, wait for it to dry, then iron it on.

Tried that. The veneer curls when the glue is applied, the tape comes
off, wet glue squeezes through the curled joints and makes a mess, and
then when ironing it on, the shrinkage opens gaps. Big mess!

> A additional suggestion. You could glue the pattern onto a single
> piece of veneer, between two sheets of plywood/MDF, using either
> cauls or vacuum. After that's dry, attach the whole thing to the
> top of the cabinet with thermoplastic glue.

Great idea! I'll have to try this. I've been going through a lot of
scrap veneer, one more test won't hurt!! ;)

Thanks,
Martin

Martin Frankel <[email protected]> wrote:

: 1) Iron on with thermoplastic glue. This is what I'm using for the
: simpler side panels, but for the top, I am assembling a more complex
: pattern with many pieces. I did a few tests, and shrinkage and curling
: makes it next to impossible to assemble without gaps.
: 2) Contact cement. Would this address the problems with assembly, and
: does it bond veneer well?

Nope.

: 3) Assemble veneer with veneer tape, then glue with yellow glue, clamps
: and cauls. I am a little worried about blowing up the cabinet with too
: much clamping pressure.

Why not combine (1) and (3)? Tape up the pattern, then put on yellow
glue, wait for it to dry, then iron it on.

-- Andy Barss

A additional suggestion. You could glue the pattern onto a single piece
of veneer, between two sheets of plywood/MDF, using either cauls or
vacuum. After that's dry, attach the whole thing to the top of the
cabinet with thermoplastic glue.

-- Andy Barss