Veneer Press a la Gutenberg

[scmhogg]

After seeing drumpriest's veneer press thread, I thought I would show my more primitive approach.

I bought a large lot of small sheets of heavily figured mahogany. I use a commercial spray veneer relaxer and kraft paper to absorb the moisture. Works great. I have no idea how much pressure it applies, and I don't know how I would measure it. But, it sure flattens veneer.

The top, base and platen are pieces of walnut veneered shelving, that I have a stack of from an old office. The screw is an 1 1/2" shopmade maple dowel. I used a manual wood threader set from Highland Hardware. The hand wheel I made many years ago for a wood car that I made for my son. Recycled.









Steve

[cabinetman]

Great looking press. Bet it works real good. How large a piece will fit in it? How thick are the PB/veneered shelves?

That hand wheel is beautiful. Looks artistic enough to just hang it on the wall all by itself. Make people ask what the heck is it?
.

[scmhogg]

Thanks Cab.

The shelving is 7/8" and heavy. I've used lots of it and it seems to stay flat.

The press can accommodate 12" X 15".

Steve

[jhart]

Now that's a press!!! Nice looking unit Steve.

[BobSch]

Functional and good looking at the same time. Can't beat that.

[JR]

Sweet, Steve. I agree, that wheel is nice.

JR

[drumpriest]

That's pretty cool! I flattened with a large number of clamps, then pressed onto the substrate ala vacuum.

Presses like that are great though, old school. I might want to try something like that for the next time, as flattening the veneer on the assembly table kept me from working on other stuff for a while.

[Jaden]

Now that's old school, great lookin' press man.

Steve

[hermit]

The timing of these two posts are ironic, since I don't see too much on veneering here usually. I just recently (last week) tried my hand at a little veneering. Doing a couple of nesting tables for a benefit. I ended up using some thick glass retail display shelves that I "inherited" for platens, combined with 4 concrete blocks. Used this set up to flatten some curly maple veneers, then glue on to baltic birch substrate. Worked pretty well too. I would like to get a vac press some day. I feel this opened up a whole new realm in woodworking now. It also helps that a supplier is only about 30 min away. If anyone ever checked out Homecraft veneer and woodworking on the web, thats the place.

Todd