The Veneering Book

David Square has written a book covering the basics of veneering as it is praticed today in the small professional or serious amateur shop. Somewhat brief chapters describe the hammer and the mechanical methods of applying veneer. Mr. Square offers instructions for making a veneering hammer and for setting up an inexpensive mechanical press, for cutting and joining veneer, and for handling hide glue. Two small projects illustrate these techniques, while pointing out their capabilities and their limitations. This discussion should adequately prepare those unfortunate souls, whom budget constraints or fear of commitment prevent from investing in professional tools, to undertake small projects successfully. The author spends the rest of the book discussing vacuum veneering, the least expensive practicable method for veneering the large panels needed for casework or furniture making and the only economically viable method for working with curved forms. He weighs the costs and benefits of commercial and homemade vacuum systems, offers clear instructions for basic and advanced pressing techniques, and illustrates his discussion with two not completely unappealing furniture projects. After reading this book, I was thoroughly convinced that vacuum veneering is the only profitable approach to veneer in the small shop. Following its advice, I purchased a commercial vacuum system and successfully veneered panels for casework on my first attempt, and with little effort or waste. The labor savings on this one job, compared to the cost of setting up and taking down multiple cauls with numerous clamps, was enough to recover the cost of the vacuum system. I strongly recommend this book, and the techniques it endorses, to anyone sufficiently serious about veneering to invest moderately in it.