Veneering 101

Using veneer in your woodworking projects is a great way to amp up the beauty while keeping your costs to a minimum. Veneers are generally produced by slicing up high quality, often figured woods, so that the same piece of wood can be displayed on more projects. Think about it: if you are using a 1” thick plank of figured or high value wood, only the top surface will be seen and appreciated. If that plank were instead sliced into veneer, more of the beauty can be unlocked, and the value multiplied.

Veneering can be intimidating, and many woodworkers shy away from it. However, if you can follow some simple steps, you’ll find that you can produce great results without a lot of trial and error. There are a few key topics covered here to help you get started:

Pick the right substrate. We’ll cover the role of the substrate, and the ideal material to use.

Do the same thing on both sides. One of the mistakes that many first-timers make is to apply veneer to only one side of the substrate, which results in a warped piece. Applying veneer to both sides will reduce the change of problems by stabilizing the panel.

Use the right glue and applicator. There are so many glue choices available today. For the type of application shown here, George recommends this glue and this applicator.

Apply the right pressure. While you might be tempted to apply maximum pressure right away as you apply a veneer, that can lead to problems. We’ll cover the best approach that can apply the veneer so that it lays down flat and stays that way.

After you’ve mastered the art of veneering, use your new skill to make one of your next woodworking projects.