Conditioning and Flattening Veneer

This is my process for Conditioning Veneer which will flatten and soften the material. I use this process for my compound veneering technique. In addition this simply make any veneer soft and supple and very easy to work with when cutting and working with parquetry patterns or marquetry imagery. I have refined this home brew formulation which helps keep the veneer flat. Enjoy!

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[RobRobertson]

That was brilliant, so helpful. Thank you.

[theguitarpicker]

The glue binds the molecules of the other liquids. Think of it as coating the moleclues, which then repels the glycerin molecules. When you add the glycerin fist the molcules can group (mix) together then the glue coats all the ingrediants and doesn't turn to slop.

[SomeGuyWhoClimbs]

Wow! I've only softened veneer when it was too warped to accurately work with; I didn't appreciate/consider the effect it would have on general workability. I think I may start softening all my veneer projects where any cuts are required. Thanks so much!

[plhalle]

I love your videos but have a couple of questions about something that I didn't see mentioned. After going thru the flattening process with your recipe, 1) Can the flattened dried veneer be laid down using a urea based glue or will that cause compatibility issues?, and 2) after pressing and scraping, sanding, etc what does the dried sizing cause finish issues? Types of finishes that you have used successfully afterwards? Thank you in advance for guidance and please keep making content as time permits.

[radudelacluj]

Would you recommend it for 2 ply veneer? Thank you for the video!

[reubenpopp]

Apologies if this has been asked elsewhere, but what kind of alcohol are you using here? Denatured I assume?

[cashanks]

Can you do this to wavy veneer that is already glued down to a substrate?

[massoodn]

You could say all this in less than 5minutes. Sorry too much explanation. Boring.

[tomstark]

I'm a student at the Vermont Woodworking School. I'm doing cabinet doors with a conical bend at the corner for door pulls (think page of a book slightly turned over). I'm using walnut burl veneer for the outer layer of the doors and all my teachers told me your book, and this procedure, was the one and only way they would flatten burl veneer. Thanks so much for making an accompanying video!

[tdkrei]

Incredible, thank you so much for sharing your experience and knowledge. You're a credit to your profession. Keep on smiling.

[howardappel]

Absolutely love and appreciate your videos and the knowledge you convey. I have one question on the veneer conditioner -- do you find that the glue left behind affects the ability of a stain or finish to evenly penetrate, or does the remaining glue sort of act as a sanding sealer, or something else? Thanks in advance -- keep it up.

[JackbenchWoodworking]

Outstanding process, and a really good video, too. Thanks for doing this, Scott.

[jackskalski]

That's awesome. Will give it a try and buy the book :) Thanks for sharing!

[aftrainsia]

Thank you for sharing this video, I hope to find time to take one of your classes someday. I'm having trouble finding glycerin locally, where do you get yours? Is Vegetable Glycerin what you use or is there a different kind?

[carlodevivomusicontent]

Thanks for the video, may I ask if you add PVA glue in the mixture, will the veneer take wood stains?

[getdirectins]

I’ve been using a commercial softener (super soft 2) on raw mappa Burl veneer. It’s so wavy I have to apply softener then I put in the bag on top of paper and hand massage it flat, applying the vacuum in stages as I massage out the wrinkles. Can’t stack it in the press the first go round or it will fold over on itself. After first pressing I put paper both sides and swap for dry paper every few hours. After it’s flat and fairly dry I stack it with screen and paper. As soon as I take it out to work it starts getting wavy again. Do you think the glue in your mix would help it stay flat when it’s in open air?

[VinceEspositoJr]

Thank you. I'm a beginner am just getting into this. Very informative here. Would be interesting to weight the batch before and after to see what you added to the wood in terms of weight.

[sgsteve]

2 questions-
1) Is this applicable to paper backed veneers?, and
B) does this plasticization inhibit the absorption of stain at all?
Thanks-

[johnasche]

Great Video!!! Thank you.

What does the glue do for the veneer?

[michaelkowalenko]

Hi. Nice informative video. Just what I need, as getting commercial veneer conditioners to Canada is very expensive (shipping / customs in particular) and not quick. You at one point said “Go Bills”. Yes, go Bills.