Sheet veneers

[Bryan Adolphe]

Wondering if anyone here has purchased and tried using unbacked real wood veneers in there limbs instead of milling your own, they measure .022 and iam thinking i should wipe them with some sand paper before glue up but they are fairly fragile one been burl , any tips or tricks out there ? I do know they have been used i just haven't tried yet looking forward to it.I ordered some 8/4 Shedua from Ontario for $12.50 bdf and it showed up all curly, beautiful wood.

[Buemaker]

I have used it,Waterfall Bubinga,European Walnut and Zebrano. I sanded it carefully with 80 grit, just sand carefully in only one direction away from you.If you sand in both directions the thin veneer can buckle and break on you. I the removed the sanding dust with a brush on an ordinary house vacum cleaner.
Make sure the brush on the vacum is clean.

[Buemaker]

Waterfall Bubinga.

[Kirkll]

Another thing to watch is how you cut it. If you plan on using a table saw you need to use a backer board under the veneer. For cross cutting strips for length, a pair of heavy scissors or shears work well. Sand lightly in one direction with 80 grit by hand like Bue recommended.  Do NOT run it through a drum sander, and i would avoid using any type of acetone or lacquer thinner on the wood itself.

[Crooked Stic]

I have used sheet veneers from Timberhawk bows. Just measure them. Out of the same package they are usually consistant

[garyschuler]

Have you ever thought or tried gluing the veneers to a lam and the running through a thickness sander on the lam side up, and sanding the backer lam down to get the final thickness of say 030"-040"? I've done it before and pretty sure others have too.!!
 Ya still gotta pay attention to details!!!

[Bryan Adolphe]

Thanks guys for your suggestions , I seen Tim from Acadian Woods use a rolling disk cutter for fabric and a straight edge will give that a try for the long cuts. Bue the waterfall bubinga looks awesome well done!
Gary thanks thats an option for sure i will try the complete glue up as one and see what issues i have, the burl can come a bit wavy i have heard of a flattening process but not feeling good about contaminating that veneer it may glue up just fine 👍

[Crooked Stic]

Gary I think Big Jim does it that way. Backed with bamboo

[Kirkll]

Thanks guys for your suggestions , I seen Tim from Acadian Woods use a rolling disk cutter for fabric and a straight edge will give that a try for the long cuts. Bue the waterfall bubinga looks awesome well done!
Gary thanks thats an option for sure i will try the complete glue up as one and see what issues i have, the burl can come a bit wavy i have heard of a flattening process but not feeling good about contaminating that veneer it may glue up just fine 👍

Be real careful if you use a rotary wheel cutter. They work excellent on leather, but they can easily split those thin veneers. I played with it a bit, and it likes to follow the grain. I had better luck using a box cutter with a single blade razor blade.

Like these...

https://www.amazon.com/DIYSELF-Cutters-Retractable-Utility-Packages/dp/B0BLMS7SJG/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=1TZ4YIBZKJMIJ&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.mIhPpTNsXqB2IFwj0GInmZ59GMEpkqxixofpKxbms4Aoo15IuK6XupUpddmH9BMBISvNdBMcuGdMgpjtGerjsqKsYauZy-JIu3PnxghRfc0nTEKAtuP6ipHrLiXy5saHMr0k5HcGAqPHfAwZUSxvYoqTN-c-bOmiy_muVxmqyVOpJ16CCI0DVVC92JhDE6Mzszrn18Ts4cfbToGcG9J5HOmkWPULwFL1N7xzh0Us_UR-qcrbgMwq01pZ3S9p8ZvDmDo3zOaBQQwsJUb-8mzhemCnU3JAQryzw1IN3uptHIY.5yDmmPtXPkI4W6hF1k6JtAM1Zl2bujmWKtfHXS_XDcQ&dib_tag=se&keywords=Single+blade+razor+box+cutters&qid=1768883369&sprefix=single+blade+razor+box+cutters%2Caps%2C218&sr=8-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&psc=1

[Mukhwa]

First post here    I have been lurking in the shadows for many years. At least since 2005 or -06 I guess, but I only registered as a member last year. Thought it was about time I said something...

Why not use the proper and best tool for the job... a Veneer Saw. These come in a few variations, but here is a link to a traditional one by Lee Valley - https://www.leevalley.com/en-ca/shop/tools/hand-tools/saws/111446-pax-veneer-saw

I have used a lot of veneer for different projects and was trained to use such a saw many many years ago at a cabinetmaking school. In cases when such a saw was unavailable (as in broken or extremely dull), I have used a Utility Knife with disposable blades like Kirkll, but I find that this also (like the rotary wheel cutter) easily can follow and run out along the grain. You have to be really careful to avoid that.
The Veneer Saw is a lot easier to use, and do not follow any grain. It simply just cut across along the line you guide it to.

I see that Chuck Deshler use one when he cuts veneer for a Two Tracks Ogemaw hybrid in a video on YT – search for "Hand Building a Longbow" by Full Quiver Outdoors on YT.

[Buemaker]

I use a veneer saw also, way to go.