This Week from the Woodworkers Institute – Newsletter 16

Each week we bring you a round-up of interesting and entertaining woodworking content from the Woodworkers Institute and the web, including handy tips to help you get stuck into your next woodworking project.

A Happy New Year

As the year begins anew, many of you will be looking forward to exploring fresh woodworking projects and honing new techniques. At the Woodworkers Institute, we’re excited to continue supporting your craft with high-quality content spanning all areas of woodworking – whether you’re refining your skills or starting something entirely new, we look forward to being a part of your woodworking journey this year.

Wood Veneer

Variety of wooden laminate samples on display.

Wood veneers are an excellent choice for many woodworking projects, offering a combination of beauty, versatility, and sustainability. They allow you to achieve the look of rare or expensive wood species without the cost or environmental impact of using solid wood. By slicing thin layers of wood from a log, veneers maximise material usage, making them an eco-friendly option for furniture, cabinetry, and decorative surfaces. Veneers also provide remarkable design flexibility, enabling intricate patterns like book matching and marquetry, as well as applications on lightweight substrates.

Despite these advantages, veneering can be challenging due to the delicate nature of veneer sheets. Their thinness makes them prone to cracking, splitting, or bubbling if not handled properly. Achieving a flawless bond with the substrate requires even glue application and sufficient pressure to avoid warping or air pockets.

Aligning decorative patterns also demands patience and precision. To ensure success, start with clean, smooth surfaces and use the right adhesive, applying it evenly. A vacuum press or clamps can help achieve consistent pressure. Handle veneers gently, dry-fit patterns before gluing, and sand lightly to avoid damaging the thin layer. With care and attention to detail, veneers can elevate your projects with stunning results.

Videos of the Week

Drawing on years of experience, Volpe Woodworks goes into detail about wood veneers that are ideal for beginners
Veneer production is a fascinating industry that utilises specialist machinery. Watch how logs are rotated and cut to make a thin layer of wood ripple off
A amusing and interesting look at a woodworking puzzle that will have many guessing for hours – not just to figure it out, but also how it works. Watch to find out!

Woodworkers Institute Articles of the Week

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