Est. 1998 — 27 years of woodworking knowledge
using veneer for boxes
I have some fine olive wood that I picked up in Italy years ago. For my next box I'm thinking about re-sawing thin veneer from this block to use over something less precious so as so get the most from this wood. My question is this: do really fine box makers, say, ike Mathew Burt or Peter Loyd, use veneer in this manner for boxes? I've seen Cosman do it over MDF for a box lid. But I am thinking I would like to make something really special.
Why not ask those people you admire.
Notice I refrained from saying how I do it.
Re: Why not ask those people you admire.
Not really sure how to get in touch with them . I'll look into it.
I know you admire me......
but, I have no idea......
Re: using veneer for boxes
Hi Eliot,
I don't know how others do it, but the reason to use veneer -- besides getting the most mileage out of a nice piece of wood -- is to eliminate wood movement limitations. On a box lid, for example, you can glue the veneered panel into the frame instead of allowing it to float. This adds structural integrity and allows you to integrate the top and sides seamlessly. Depending on the veneer thickness, it will make the joinery more demanding.
Ellis
Re: using veneer for boxes
I don't think veneering is what makes a really fine or just an ordinary box. Veneering offers new options. For example, you're not limited to make rectangular shapes, which is an ordinary feature.
I got this box from my uncle. I think he did all the work, maybe not the finish.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/BSqizqNMNzgTCLHb7
(the file load popup does not work for me, so a link to the picture woill have to do.)
Re: using veneer for boxes
What a beauty! Now I want to know more about the inlay.
I know I can make the panels with veneer; but as Ellis indicated, I also see that the joinery may be more difficult. Also, there's the issue of what things will look like inside the box. I was hoping someone on this site has experience with this kind of woodworking. (And, yes, I suppose I could try to contact those who have a reputation for it.)
Re: Why not ask those people you admire.
https://www.finehardwoodboxes.com/contact
https://matthewburt.com/contact/
Google knows all.
Re: using veneer for boxes
This is a cigarette box I made for my parents 70 years ago. In those days hosts provided cigarettes for their guests. I lived about a half mile from Albert Constantine and Sons. They usually let me take broken scraps of veneer that was on the floor. The box structure was made from 1/8" sheet mahogany. All of the veneer and mahogany pieces were cut with a veneer saw. I was 13 and the only saw that I had was the veneer saw.� �
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Re: using veneer for boxes
So what does the inside of this box look like?
Check this site for inspiration....
This link is to a builder retired from the exotic woods artistry industry. Some of the objects are solid but I venture that many are veneer.
http://www.myworkshop.com/index.html#portfolio
You aren't limited to resawing veneer. The Japanese have several industries reliant on planing sheets from glued-up wood patterns. I built and flew indoor model planes made from shaved pieces of balsa. They weren't as strong or light as cut contemporaries, but at a penny on the dollar cheaper they worked for me.
To get construction ideas for box building details, you must do Youtube searches. Lots of searches. I have one-piece failures from my box building adventures.
An easy box interior is accomplished with 1/8 inch press-fit liners.
Re: using veneer for boxes
Veneer over a piece of solid wood core will not keep the core from moving seasonally. But sheet good typically does not move seasonally. Or you can veneer a solid wood floating panel in a frame. Not sure what the question is.
Re: using veneer for boxes
Eliot, I have built lots of boxes and used veneer on a few. I chose materials that would look good on both sides.
An alternative might be to try flocking the inside of the boxes. Done well it might be classy, but it might slide over to the tacky side, too.
Re: using veneer for boxes
Nothing fancy, just unfinished 1/8" mahogany.
I forgot to mention the finish. It's varnish. I had attended a lecture about varnish finishing at Albert Constantine and Sons in the Bronx, NY. He said that you give a coat a day for a week, a coat a week for a month and a coat a month for a year. I stopped after the weekly coats. I then let the finish set for a few weeks and then rubbed the finished surfaces with pumice and then rottenstone.
Re: using veneer for boxes
I've also lined the interior of boxes with green felt. Precut the pieces, brush on some glue and press the green felt pieces into place.
Re: using veneer for boxes
I am concerned with what the inside of the box will look like as one opens the box and looks down on the edges of what in effect becomes a plywood panel. Leather, felt, decorative paper, etc. won't cover the edges; and I'm not inclined to use such coverings anyway.
Re: using veneer for boxes
Eliot, Have you considered veneering the edge of the pieces? If you can cut and apply the veneer to the faces you could do the edges also. As I think about this, it might be harder than I thought. If you apply the veneer to the outside face, cut the parts and assemble the box and then slice off the lid, it could be a problem.
I would choose a substrate that matches the veneer, in the case of olive, some blond wood like maple or birch, so that most people would not notice the difference.
Eliot, I had another thought...
You could use Baltic Birch plywood and veneer one or both faces, leaving the multi ply edges exposed in the join between the top and bottom/box. Celebrate the plies. Just a thought. Some people kind of like the plies.
Re: Why not ask those people you admire.
Thanks. I sent a message to Peter Loyd; we'll see if he responds. I don't get the feeling that his email is meant for us woodworkers. It looks more in line with questions about purchasing what he makes.
Doesn't hurt to ask
Re: Eliot, I had another thought...
I like the idea. Hard to find Baltic birch these days, though.