ThomD
>I don't use veneer much, but over the long haul have done everything from hammer veneering crotch onto a friend's table (made the hammer also), to vac bagging panels 24 feet long.

As an occasional teacher I have noticed that just as there are people who can program a VCR, and others who can not, there are people who can do every project out of the box, while others can't. Then there are people who actually enjoy the stress of doing the projects out of the box...

All these methods work and normally they are fairly easy once you have blown a piece. It's a bit like shooting a rifle: you need some sighter shots, no mater how good you are at the shooting. The more variables a method has the more exploratory steps there may be even if the basic "technique" is not difficult (lots of muscles to train).

Basic issue is that the items outlined were mostly undertaken as projects. This is like a guy asking how his swing is coming along in golf, who has only tried to play full rounds at golf courses, no time at the practice tee. Basically while it is fun to do all these methods, they exist to achieve particular objectives. I'm not hammer veneering a 4'x24' compound curved panel that is going to be used in a marine environment. Vac was the only logical way to go. The big advantage to hammer veneering is the edge will crush down the bubble in a veneer that resists 24 inches of mercury, and of course one needs very little gear. Once you figure out why you need a particular technique, if you have any doubts, run some practice pieces. Determine when you are practicing and when you are executing and don't mix the two. Avoid project mentality. Of course if you like the chaos, go for it.