tenontim's Blog at LumberJocks.com http://lumberjocks.com/tenontim/blog Sat, 18 Jul 2009 19:23:24 GMT Never throw anything away http://lumberjocks.com/tenontim/blog/10103 I’ve heard it at least a thousand times, and have probably said myself at least as many times, “as soon as you throw something out, you’re gonna need it.” Have you ever had one of those things laying around the shop, that is always in the way, you’ve moved it so many times it almost doesn’t look like it’s original self.
Behold: The Wobble Dado Blade. I’ve had one of these so long, it’s probably a collectors item. Can’t sell it. Can’t give it away. Can’t even seem to throw it away.
But, alas. I was trying to stack dado blades and saw blades and anything I could think of, to make multiple dados in some stock that pieces of 1/4” (more or less, it’s metric) hardwood plywood would fit in. Then the light came on. Try that wobble dado blade that’s been laying under the tool box forever.
Put that sucker on the saw, and, BANG! perfect width for the ply. Only took a couple of cuts to get past the noise and the smoke smell and I was in business.
So, before you clean out the shop, if there is even a hint of an idea rolling around in your head, about what you might use something for, DON’T THROW IT AWAY! It may come in handy some day.

]]> Sat, 18 Jul 2009 19:23:24 GMT http://lumberjocks.com/tenontim/blog/10103 tenontim tenontim Ironing Veneer http://lumberjocks.com/tenontim/blog/8856 After many comments and questions about the veneer ironing method, I made some time to do a blog on how I use this technique.

The items needed are the same as used in the regular method of veneering; a straight edge, sharp knife (I use a scalpel), veneer tape, sandpaper, glue, distilled water, measuring cup, and a paint brush. Additionally, you’ll need an iron. Pick out your veneer and substrate, I usually use mdf.

First, I match up any pieces that I need to make a large enough piece of veneer to cover the panel. I fold them over and cut the edges at the same time, to get an even, matching edge. I will usually iron the pieces of veneer before applying any glue, to get all of the moisture out of the wood and shrinking them up as much as possible. That way, even though you will introduce more moisture during the course of this process, they should shrink back with the final ironing.

Next I spray the face side of the veneer with distilled water. You want to use distilled water, so none of the chemicals in your tap water react with the wood and cause it to change colors. This spray will help keep the veneer from curling up when you apply the glue.

For large, numerous panels, I usually mix a 16 oz bottle of glue with about 2 oz of distilled water.
Then turn the veneer over and apply a coat of glue. Also put a coat on the mdf. Let the glue dry, and apply another coat to all of the pieces. I usually put 3 coats on each piece. Once it’s dry, it will feel somewhat like leather, and have a clear appearance.

Lightly sand all of the glue surfaces with 120 grit sandpaper, to remove any garbage or lumps that may have found it’s way into the glue while it was drying.

Align your pieces of veneer and hold them together with the veneer tape.

Position the veneer on the mdf and start on the joint and work your way to the edges with the iron. You want to get the glue nice and hot, so that it melts together. I set my iron on the highest setting. Work the panel with the iron until all of the bumps are out and it all feels smooth. Pay particular attention to the edges, because this is where the veneer will break off the easiest if not glued down good.

Be sure to veneer both sides of what ever substrate you use, to prevent the panel from warping.

Once your done, sand, stain, and/or finish with your desired method.
Just for general info, the heat required to melt the glue, from least heat to most, is Titebond (original), Titebond II, and Titebond III. The water resistance is also in the same order.

I don’t know if this method is more time consuming than the traditional way of applying veneer, but if you don’t have a veneer press or a vacuum bag setup, this way will work fine. You can use it to apply veneer to curved surfaces as well.

By the way, I get my irons out of the trash, once my wife has destroyed them. WARNING! DO NOT use your wife’s good iron for this procedure, unless you want to look like you’ve had a shop accident.

Hope this gets some of you into using veneers. Have fun!

]]> Thu, 21 May 2009 20:57:43 GMT http://lumberjocks.com/tenontim/blog/8856 tenontim tenontim 2008 Texas Furniture Makers Show http://lumberjocks.com/tenontim/blog/6710 Well, here’s my results from the 9th Annual Texas Furniture Makers Show. This is the last project that I had posted. This is the article from the San Saba Newspaper:

San Saba’s Tim Uli wins award at 9th Annual Texas Furniture Makers Show
November 20, 2008 •

Mr. Tim Uli of San Saba received an award for his entry into the. 9th Annual Texas Furniture Makers Show in Kerrville, which opened Oct. 27. Judging was held on November 1, and Mr. Uli won a coveted 6-day workshop donated by Homestead Heritage School of Woodworking for his entry of a Craftsman Sideboard.

This juried exhibition, a prestigious statewide competition featuring 67 handcrafted pieces by the best custom furniture makers in Texas, is on display at the Kerr Arts & Cultural Center in Kerrville until December 6.

This is one of the Judges, Paul Sellers, of the Heritage School of Woodworking. I’m the guy in the jeans and camo shirt.
I’m looking forward to the classes. You’re never to old to learn something new, or at least a new way to do something.

There wasn’t much furniture sold this year, at the show. I guess due to the economy. My wife was happy, though. She wanted this piece back, to put in her new dinning room. Fortunately, repeat customers have got me booked up until the middle of next year. So if any of you pros are concerned about the economy, just keep the faith and I’m sure everything will be ok.

]]> Sat, 13 Dec 2008 21:58:04 GMT http://lumberjocks.com/tenontim/blog/6710 tenontim tenontim