Looking for good experience with veneer companies.

[tomshobby]

I am making plans to re-veneer a dash. Wondering about good experience with any of the many veneer suppliers. Things like product quality, were they willing to work with you to get what you wanted, how the product was packaged and condition when it arrived, Anything else that you liked about them. Oh, and which company was it.

Thanks for any help.

 

[DNK]

Re: Looking for good experience with veneer compan

The company I deal with in my business has a great supply of all kinds. They even have a huge quantity of small pieces of exotics. I will be taking Norton47 there for him to pick out a piece for his dash when he has time.
edensaw edensaw.com

 

[hondo402000]

I cant remember who I got my veneer from but it came intact all I could recommend is get the paper backed veneer its less brittle

 

[DNK]

Re: Looking for good experience with veneer compan

I cant remember who I got my veneer from but it came intact all I could recommend is get the paper backed veneer its less brittle

Not if you get veneer with some thickness to it.

 

[Popeye]

Re: Looking for good experience with veneer compan

https://www.constantines.com/

I bought two matchmarked peices of burled oak from them, for my tr4a dashboard. Great service; and seemingly "everyone" in the business knows about them. (I bought some varnish for the dashboard from a local (NC) woodworking store, and the all sales guys knew Constantines.

I happened to go to their store in Ft. Lauderdale (was there for a wedding), but they also tell me they can ship veneers anywhere.

To give credit where it is due: The BCF pointed me to Constantines in the first place!

 

[DNK]

Re: Looking for good experience with veneer compan

Why did you need 2 pieces?

 

[tomshobby]

Re: Looking for good experience with veneer compan

Thanks for the replies.

I think you both, Don and Popeye, have the right idea of going to the stores to look at the selections. Not sure there are any around here though so I will most likely have to request photos of the veneer.

From working with highly figured wood I can see some benefit to the paper backing if the wood had cracks or imperfections like Hondo mentioned. Often highly figured grain can crack easily the burls or crotch sections.

Don, do you use a vacuum system when gluing the veneer on? I have a nice vacuum pump and have wondered if I should do it that way.

 

[TR4]

Re: Looking for good experience with veneer compan

I believe Woodcraft has an outlet in Madison. Here is the website https://www.woodcraft.com/depts.aspx?DeptID=5150 Page 2 shows Walnut and Teak options as well as others. Or contact the supplier direct at https://sveneers.com/ and ask for a custom cut piece. They show a nice photo of each specie on this website.

 

[DNK]

Re: Looking for good experience with veneer compan

I didn't though many have and said it is a great way to do it. I used contact cement has that is what I am familiar with.

 

[tomshobby]

Re: Looking for good experience with veneer compan

Don, the fiddle back in your dash is beautiful. I bet it seems alive as it changes depending the angle you view it from. I have been thinking of removing my under the column ignition switch and installing one in the center, maybe in the plinth.

TR4, I used to work near that store location and did not know it was there. I am going to stop in and see what they have.

 

[Popeye]

Re: Looking for good experience with veneer compan

Why did you need 2 pieces?

To have left-right symmetry. Although in practice you really can't tell, due to all the big instruments on the driver side of the dash.

I applied my veneer using white glue. If I had to do it again, I would use contact cement. The moisture in white glue causes the veneer to curl... making alignment difficult at best. (Contact cement has it's challenges also.)

For what it is worth, here's how I did it: 1. Roll glue onto both parts, let dry. 2. Roll glue on to both parts again, put together. Add a (stiff) board above and below, and clamp the assembly together, using plenty of clamps all the way around (I think I had about 20). Put a piece of wax paper between the veneer and the boards - i.e. the stuff you do NOT want to glue together.

Vacuum would be easier and probably better.

Edit:
To finish this discussion - pun intended, I am finishing the dashboard with gloss Arm-R-Seal, which is a mixture of oil and urethane. So far I only have one coat on the front side. The wood shop tells me I should put seven coats on for maximum gloss.

And one final comment - make sure to veneer both the front and back. One, it gives you a little practice. Two, it keeps the dashboard from warping from the inevitable moisture it will see (including humidity in the air)

 

[Brosky]

Re: Looking for good experience with veneer compan

Hey Don!

You've done some work since I last saw the car.

What is that sticking up above the ashtray over the cylinder head? Looks like SU carbs from here?

 

[DNK]

Re: Looking for good experience with veneer compan

What is that sticking up above the ashtray over the cylinder head? Looks like SU carbs from here?

I removed my intake and exhaust to fiddle with my Hi- torque starter. I ended up buying yet another one from Ted, so I have a brand new Hi torque for sale if anyone is interested.

 

[Brosky]

Re: Looking for good experience with veneer compan

A-Hah!!

And you thought that I wasn't paying attention, right?

How did you end up with two, if I may ask? If I weren't so buried in this chassis project, I'd consider buying one, especially if they came from Ted.

 

[2wrench]

Re: Looking for good experience with veneer compan

I really like the sound of my high torque starter.
Coool. Like, up-to-date whine.

 

[DNK]

Re: Looking for good experience with veneer compan

Paul, the one I hope to use is from Ted (should be here this week). The other one is from an eBay buy that doesn't fit with my style of headers.

 

[fad64b]

Re: Looking for good experience with veneer compan

Has anyone seen a TR3 dash done in wood??

 

[DNK]

Re: Looking for good experience with veneer compan

https://I bought two match marked pieces of burled oak from them, for my tr4a dashboard.

I didn't realize the 4's dash was 2 pieces

 

[Brosky]

Re: Looking for good experience with veneer compan

Whoops!!! Now I remember why I had my stock starter rebuilt.

The old "won't fit with headers trick again".

Senior moment, sorry!

 

[DNK]

Re: Looking for good experience with veneer compan

They come with a "clockable" plate but with my TT headers they take up considerable area so the only way they would fit is with the connections almost against the block. Will probably fit great with a stock exhaust. Especially now. I took off the plate and drilled a couple of new mounting positions in order to try to make it work.