Construction

Fine Furniture

Artistically Considered

Jeffry's Veneer Construction Technique

Additionally , the same board can be used at many angles with the grain patterns and colors managed. Both of these come into play with my pieces. If the lumber was thicker any pieces would have stability problems and I use the ability to control color and grain patterns extensively.

Both of these come into play with my pieces. If the lumber was thicker any pieces would have stability problems and I use the ability to control color and grain patterns extensively.

The advantage of using veneers is primarily for stabilization. Lumber expands and contracts perpendicular to the grain. For instance, if a group of boards has a frame around them, which inhibits this movement, they will either break the frame or split themselves on a contraction cycle.. By cutting the boards into thinner veneers the movement is controlled.

For the most part my recent work is constructed entirely of veneers.

CREATING THE STRENGTH IN A CANTILEVER PIECE

VENEERS CREATE STABILITY IN THE DYNAMIC NATURE OF WOOD

“I was not sure I was going to be able to get enough structure to hold the cantilever, and rarely am I ever unsure of what I am building. It’s really quite a feat and I’ve never seen anyone attempt this. It takes the better part of a day just to build the structure needed, but it is solid, and it is heavy. There will be more of this to come as I will test the boundaries of this concept.”

In woodworking, veneers are thinly cut pieces of lumber glued to a substrate. I cut slices of veneers to just less than 1/4", then glued to 3/4" MDF (Medium Density Fiberboard). This 1" thickness is easier to mill and gives the piece structure.

Pictured below is a 2" thick piece of Wenge cut into six 1/4" slices. The 3/4" MDF next to it is ready for gluing.