Customer Reviews

Veneering: A Foundation Course: Revised Edition

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book is a must have. The author is a professional craftsman who builds veneered furniture on commission. Published in 2000, half of this book covers all phases of veneering topics from how veneer is cut, methods of matching veneers, tools, glues and bonding techniques, substrates, cutting, finishing, building a veneer press, steam press, vaccuum press plus a few other subjects. Tried and true PLUS modern techniques and equipment of veneering are covered. Please note marquetry is not discussed.

The second half of the book walks you through 5 projects step by step to build projects from scratch. The author made a point to select a wide range of projects that brought their own set of challenges and the building and veneering techniques used to over come them. The author admits that he selected projects an emphasis on building and veneering curved pieces as if you can master that, you will have no problem with flat surfaces.

What I like most about the book are tips and tricks the author has learned from his building experience and home made tools and equipment he's made. The book is also profusely filled with colored photos (no b&w here) and is written as though you were working as an apprentice in his workshop. The book and print are large and makes easy and entertaining reading.

The book is highly recommended to novices and seasoned wood crafters alike and is a great value in price and for the information it provides. You won't be disappointed.

What an informative, well-presented, clearly explained, must-have book! The practical details and concise, complete explanations take the mystery out of veneering. The five projects Mr. Burton walks the reader through answer questions I didn't realize I'd have until in the middle of a project.

I thoroughly enjoyed his practical wit, the use of many low-tech (low-cost, too) techniques, and the in-depth way the pictures supplemented the text.

I'll buy any woodworking book this man writes. He knows what he's talking about!

The author of this book surely has a lot of experience with veneering, but in my opinion there are better ways to do things than some of the ways he suggests. For instance he uses regular wood glue (PVA) to apply veneer by letting it dry and then using an iron to reactivate the glue. I would never trust this to hold over the long run and PVA glue is not the best kind of glue to use with veneer anyway. It is to thin and it doesn't dry to a hard glue line so it will allow the veneer to creep with seasonal changes in humidity. He also never mentions using a vacuum press. While a press might not be for beginners, it is the easiest, best way to veneer a flat or curved panel.

For the raw beginner wishing to gain an insight into the various methods of gluing veneer using a variety of different adhesives and their accompanying techniques, this book more than adequately serves to address this function. However, the all-important minutiae of veneering are not touched upon in any respect. The art of veneering lies not so much in the methods of gluing, but in the laying-out and trimming, particularly where the edges are concerned. An examination of any piece of pre 20th century cabinetwork will bear out this conclusion: the edges are blended with an almost surgical degree of precision to give the impression that the piece has been hewn from a solid piece of wood. This book's title should read: "A Beginner's Guide to Gluing Veneer" which is a far more accurate description of this book's contents and function.

I Have read a lot of how to books, but this book takes things to the next level, clearly defined and understandable text. Recommended for anyone wanting to know all there is to know about the subject.

This is the one veneering book that will teach you what you need to know about veneers and veneering. Patching, flattening, glueing and types of glues, veneers and types of veneers, and a ton of other information, and tips and tricks. It is a very easy read, and very enjoyable as Mike Burton has a good sense of humor, and enjoys what he does. I look forward to other Mike Burton books.

This is the finest book on veneering I have ever purchased (I have 3 others). Veneering is like many other skills in that it takes a certain amount of vocabulary and familiarity with techniques before it all starts to make sense. The way the author organizes the material makes it easy for the beginner to come to grips with the tools and techniques of veneering.

Perhaps more important is the additude Burton takes to writing this book. You never know when he will sneak in something funny--at times very funny-- in the middle of an explanation or a shop story. He has a disarming sense of humor, and is frank about balancing art with practicality as a professional craftsman.

This book is a pleasure to read. And that makes a real difference in learning the subject. Like someone else said, I will buy any future woodworking books Michael Burton writes.

I came to Amazon to find a copy of this book to share with a co-worker who restores antiques. I was stunned to find that one of my favorites in my extensive woodworking book collection was worth over double what I paid for it in 2001, as it is now only available in the used markets. All other reviews have said it best already - horse sense knowledge - no major investment required to veneer, cheapskate behavior encouraged even!! - humor - wisdom - honesty and ultimately the value of knowledge gained - a rare find indeed. Please, Mr Burton, print some more - you deserve the monetary rewards of this project. I've paid exorbitant prices for other rare woodwork related books. If you're reading this and trying to decide to pay the price for this book, you probably won't be disappointed if you do - it's that good. Again, I hope the author can arrange a way to print more and deservedly profit more from his honest sharing of his years of experience and invaluable time - it can enlighten and profit us all.

Don't spend $40+ on a used book. Sterling Publishing is printing an updated version of this book to be released June 2006.

Some parts of this book are very educational and others so bad they are weird.

As a previous reviewer notes, the author's approach to vacuum pressing is to make his bag by gluing and taping two thin plastic sheets together, making a bundle of more plastic sheeting around a [garden?] hose to make the connection valve, and then connecting the hose to a wooden block covering the intake port on his air compressor (Don't try this at home; constricting the intake port on many piston driven compressors can screw up the valves). He reports that 'real' vacuum presses are expensive, and he finds vacuum pressing not terribly effective...

If you've never veneer vacuum pressed before you might not recognize that as the hominid precursor approach. I'm surprised he shows use of a veneer hammer instead of the more cost effective stone club method. For a lot of (better) info on vacuum pressing, google up the Joewoodworker website.

As others have noted, some of his approaches to glue preparation are a bit odd as well. Coating with thinned wood glue and then ironing to heat activate... I suppose you could do it that way, I'm just at a loss as to why you would want to. There are several other approaches and glues that bond better, are less mess to handle, and generally produce better results. 'Course if you bought a load of past its prime Tite-Bond at discount I guess it would make sense (and be consistent with his vacuum press).

Some good stuff, some just flat out weird. Look at a copy in the library first maybe?