by Lee Jesberger

Created on: July 21, 2007   Last Updated: May 21, 2011

Too many woodworkers, the subject of veneering brings one of three emotions. One is the thought that it is an inferior form of woodworking. This is a misconception. The second would be that it's too complicated to learn, and therefore beyond their current capabilities. This also is not true. The third is that furniture made from veneers is of poor quality. This couldn't be further from the truth.

Some of the finest furniture in the world would not have been possible without the use of veneers. The opportunities to create many patterns and matches just wouldn't be possible using solid lumber. If someone tried, the result would self destruct.

Veneering has been around for at least fifteen hundred years, as proven by some pieces removed from the tombs of the Pharaohs of Egypt. These pieces were removed, still intact, and in good condition. Veneers are thinly sliced, typically 1/40 of an inch thick or less. This provides many pieces of veneer with almost exactly the same grain pattern, as the piece before it. They are kept in the same order as they were on the tree. This makes matching patterns possible.

One of the advantages to using veneer is the finest lumber is sent to the veneer mills. This way the very best of woods can go considerably further. Imagine how many pieces you could cut from a log, when slicing it 1 inch thick, as opposed to 1/40 of an inch thick. Patterns that can be produced are radial, which could include as many as forty individual pieces, although cutting that would be extremely difficult. Book matching which is opening two pieces of veneers the same as you would open the pages of a book.

This will create a grain pattern which meets in the middle and offers considerable beauty.

Slip matching is taking veneers in order, and sliding the sheets over, one next to the other, but keeping the same side up. The will result in a repeating pattern. With certain woods, this can be a better approach, as when the pieces are flipped over they have a different light reflection property and can look like the colors aren't matched properly. The tools used for veneering are relatively few. A knife or scalpel can be used to cut them, or a saw made specifically for cutting veneer. A roller, much like a wallpaper roller in used to flatten the veneer into the glue, and more often to apply pressure to the veneer tape.

A veneer hammer, which is more like a squeegee, than a hammer, is used to squeeze the excess glue from under the veneer, and ensure a good contact

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