Flattening veneer

[frangallo]

Yes, you should be able to find it at HD. Felt paper is pink in color, sometimes brown. The black stuff is tar paper but if you ask one of the assistants for builders felt they might give you tar paper by mistake.
Fran

[edstuckey]

Howard,
This is the method I use.
1. 3/4" MDF caul.
2. 3 layers of newsprint.
3. 1 piece of fiberglass screen. (Home Depot or Lowes).
4. veneer with flattening solution applied to both sides.
5. 1 piece of fiberglass screen.
6. 3 layers of newsprint
7. Repeat process for the number of veneer sheets.
8. 3/4" MDF caul

I place the whole thing into a vacuum press. I changed the paper 3 times during the first 24 hrs. I then changed the paper twice in the next 24 hrs. The 3rd day I remove the fiberglass screening and also replace with fresh paper. Place back in the vacuum press for one more day. It should be dry by the end of the 3rd day. Remove all the paper and leave the veneer between the MDF  cauls with some heavy weights on the top. Leave it like this until ready to use.
The screening leaves very few marks, hardly visible.

Ed Stuckey

[rococojo]

Howard.
 The historical way.
1, piece heavy marble. Or! What ever, with a tighten device.
2, 1, newspaper.
3, cotton sheet.
4, Wet, curl veneer (hot water).
5, cotton sheet.
6, 1, newspaper.
7, piece of heavy marble.

I left this over night? Then split the contents, to dry in the open air, when air dry, placed the veneers back under the marble for another day, when fully dry then put back in stock ready for use.
This process leaves no marks, and cost no more than? Old newspaper, and plain water.
 
                                                             Joseph Hemingway

[HSteier]

Thanks to all.
I ordered mahogany crotch veneer from Certainly Wood today.
I'm ready to flatten,

Howard Steier

[HSteier]

I'm back.
None of the local drug stores have glycerine. Before I order a lifetime supply on-line, I wonder if anyone has experience with Pro-Glue veneer softener from Vac U Clamp. The ingredients list "glycerine, water alcohol and adhesive" the same as Darryl Keil's potion. Does this stuff work well and does the "adhesive" keep the veneer flat after it's out of the press?

Howard Steier

[rococojo]

 howard???
dcstory, posted
    Re: Flattening veneer
« Reply #6 on: June 12, 2009, 09:02:18 PM »   

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I agree with Joseph.    I was taught as an apprentice to dampen the veneer and sandwich it between layers of newsprint and apply pressure.  I made a small press using threaded rods, plywood and some solid wood to keep  veneer. It has kept for years.  Glycerin helps the veneer absorb the water but you still can't leave the veneer open for very long before it starts to move again.

why wiil the oldest,easyest, safeist and cheapest way be last to be adopted?   open your eyes? you looking through thick cloud? when the sun is shining.
                                           
                                                           Joseph Hemingway
 
 
 

[gdelnevo]

What is or where can I find Darryl Keil's formula for making a flatenning solution.

[tom427cid]

Hi all,
While this might be a bit in the opposite direction from flattening,I use glycerine(the last bottle I got at WallMart) and water to wet the veneer which is sandwiched between red shop rags.When I think that the veneer is fairly saturated I will clamp it in shaped cauls that are lined with wax paper. I have had good luck with OG shapes and rosewood.I do this to repair veneered mouldings on clocks. Point is the glycerine is a wetting agent and promotes water penrtration(what I was told) For larger pieces the marble pieces seem to be a great solution.
Hope this helps.
tom
ps.This is my first post. It is refreshing to find a MB that concerns itself with period WW.