Have any of you veneered cabinets or other things in your coach?

[ilyafish]

I am thinking of doing this, would like to know how hard it is and everyones results.

[cody]

Are you refering to resurfacing existing cabinets or adding new cabinets with a veneer or laminate facing.

[Jeremy]

As I type I have this book just a couple of feet from where I am sitting:



Here on Amazon: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Complete-Veneering-William-Alexander-Lincoln/dp/0854420401/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1231541685&sr=1-3


Although veneering is essentially fairly straightforward it can become tricky if you start trying to be too ambitious (ie. veneering curved surfaces, using fancy woods). One of the main issues in something like a bus conversion is the choice of adhesive - most traditional veneering adhesives are 'hot melt' types, which might lead to problems in a hot, dry bus interior. It's well worth investing in a book such as the one above before getting too involved

Jeremy

[cody]

"Hot melt"? not familer with that technique.

[ilyafish]

i was going to make cabinets, as well as veneering wall paneling and so forth.  nothing crazy that involves curved surfaces, and if curved, not that big of a curve.

i will definitely pick up a book, im more so curious as to where a good place to purchase quality veneer would be

[Blacksheep]

95% of everything in my bus is curved or rounded corners where possible and although it's not really veneer, I used laminate over plywood. It has held up really well for the last 4 years and look for it to hold up much longer. I used commercial grade or cabinet grade contact  adhesive that was sprayed on both pieces (laminate and plywood). A cheap router and a bastard file is all that is needed to make final fitting to plywood! Making curves or round corners is relatively easy or at least easier than it appears! Small tight corners do need a little heat but larger radius's need none! I have had many people admire the curves and corners and thought it looked good! It saves on chipped edges as well! 

If I remember correctly, NCBOB has veneer on his cabinets using real veneer! He may see this and respond. It too looks very well done when finished!

Ace

[Jeremy]

Hot melt glues are simply glues which are melted with heat before being used. Traditional natural glues used in veneering such as rabbit glue comes in the form of a powder or pellets which are dissolved in hot water before being applied to the veneer, and the veneer is then held in place until the glue cools and sets. Rabbit glue is still used in veneering, but there are now modern equivalents which work in the same way.

Jeremy

[cody]

OK, see? I'm still willing to try to learn, lol with 40 years of cabinetry behind me I had never encountered anyone with the courage to use a hot melt glue to anchor veneers or laminates of any kind, it's just a new approach to it for me and interesting.  My dad and grandfather used to use a lot of hide glues for cabinetry, thats very old school, but I don't recall any adhesives that would use hot water as a medium.  Ace is absolutely right tho, don't be afraid of curved surfaces, they are easily handled with laminates and veneers, just make sure the substrate is solid, the key with laminate is to over cut it slightly and trim it after setting it, with contact cements you only get one try at positioning it, it does what the name suggests, when it touches, it anchors.  Curved surfaces create one of the most interesting and pleasing interiors, possibly ace will post some pics of his interior, it's one of the finest examples I've seen of tasteful use of laminates.

[RTS/Daytona]

All laminate (wilsonart) - with real red oak trim  - used a cheap Harbor Freight "Trim Router"

Baltic Birch (Furniture grade) Plywood (much stronger / more plys per inch)

Professional SOLVENT based contact cement (dries faster than the stuff you get a Lowes and such) - don't use water based contact cement

[RTS/Daytona]

more

[ilyafish]

blacksheep, where did you purchase the laminate you used for your coach?  i actually began looking into veneer by coming across a picture of your coach in a post a while back (when we were talking about puck lights) and loved the look and just figured it was veneer.

is laminate easier to work with than veneer? i am looking for something like a mahogany finish with some heavy acrylic (not sure if that would be my doing or if i would have to purchase it that way).  what would be the cost comparison veneer vs laminate?

thanks guys!

[Nick Badame Refrig/ACC]

Hi Ilya,

Laminates are very easy to work with. A little practice will do you wonders.

You have some of the biggest Laminate dealers near you in Cherry Hill area. Wilsonart being the most popular.

Here are some pics of my laminate work.
Nick-

[ilyafish]

nick,

looks great!  ill have to do some research on these dealers

[Charles in SC]

I just did my first laminate work a few weeks ago. I made some countertops for the living quarters in a horse trailer. I used some contact cement from Lowe's. It was very easy and looks great. I am now thinking of other projects. Try it on some test pieces first to get the feel for it and that way if you do not like it you can can it.

[chazwood]

are you sure those pellets that come from the rabbit are glue?