The Beauty and Creativity of Veneering

The topic of veneering—the process of gluing an attractive, thin slice of wood onto a furniture surface—often prompts two opposite reactions: it's either considered a complex art only mastered by the finest of craftsmen or a glossy cover-up for furniture of shoddy materials and poor construction. While once valid in the long history of veneering, these assumptions are now completely outdated.

In this comprehensive book, Jonathan Benson, a professional furniture builder and veneer expert, sets the record straight for today's woodworker and presents veneering for what it truly is: a respected technique that offers unlimited design options, preserves natural resources, and elevates the beauty and luxury of any project. Best of all, today's veneering techniques can be mastered by woodworkers of all skill levels without a huge investment of money or shop space.

Inside the Woodworker's Guide to Veneering & Inlay, you'll learn everything you need to know about this timeless technique, including:

• The history and advantages of veneers
• How to buy and store wood veneer
• Basics of cutting, matching, and taping
• Selecting plywood and composite substrates
• Gluing, pressing, and edging
• More complex matching, inlays, and veneer patterns
• The basics of marquetry and parquetry
• How to band saw your own veneer
• Troubleshooting and repairs

And, to ensure you've mastered the expert information provided, you'll find more than a dozen demonstration projects and step-by-step exercises that, when followed, will result in the construction of a beautiful tabletop, parquetry chessboard, and heirloom mirror frame.