Finishing a Tuba

[koturban]

I'm planning two THT LP's that will be figuring prominently in my family room. Duratex won't cut it, and I'm not satisfied with BB.

I can get cabinet grade 5 ply in other veneers such as oak or cherry, so that isn't a problem. The issue is trying to hide the screws/brads that will pepper the exterior during construction.

Here's some ideas I've considered:

1. Veneer over ply. I've never veneered before, but my research has found that if one must veneer over ply, it should be against the grain of the substrate. Would it be a big deal to go with the grain? The THTLP's will be upright, and horizontal veneer won't be aesthetically pleasing, IMO.

2. Veneer over MDF. MDF/particle board is the preferred substrate for veneer. Particle board isn't an option. What about 5/8" MDF for the exterior with 1/2"BB for the inner workings? I know MDF is discouraged for a number of reasons (weight, difficulty of use) Is this a reasonable compromise?

3. 5 Ply with preferred veneer, and another joining method. I realize the brads/screws simply hold things in place for the glue. What about biscuits or Domino tenons? Will they work with only 1/2" ply?

It's only me and my dog here (for now), but I want to give my THTLP's "high future WAF"



Your ideas are greatly appreciated!

[Frederic Gelinas]

Veneer over ply. I wouldn't matter about the grain orientation of the ply.

[Tom Smit]

I made a TT without screws. I clamped the panels to W-cauls which were pinched by a two-tiered guide board, until the PL cured. The panels were fitted into previously done dadoes. The second side was installed and held with long quick-clamps

[DJPhatman]

Use biscuits, and miters on the external panels. Difficult, but not impossible.

[67baja]

Here is my solution:
http://billfitzmaurice.info/forum/viewt ... =5&t=16578

[67baja]

My cabinet was newly built out of 1/2" Baltic Birch. I had never applied veneer before doing the THT in the pic above. It was tedious and very time consuming, but not difficult and I the think the end result is worth the effort. The way I veneered: use a paint roller to roll on yellow wood glue on the paper side of the veneer and also onto the baltic birch cabinet. Allow the glue to skin, then place the veneer on the baltic birch. You can move the veneer around to get it where you want it. Then iron it with a regular old household iron on high heat setting. Iron from the middle of the veneer outward. The iron drys/melts the glue and kind of squeegees the air out too. Trim the edges, sand, then apply your favorite finish. The cabinet I did was only done a few weeks ago so I cannot attest to it's long term durability. Also, if I would have used only one kind of veneer, it would have been WAY faster. It is a royal pain to do 2 kinds of veneer and make the edges/seams fit nice.

[el_ingeniero]

Here is my solution:
http://billfitzmaurice.info/forum/viewt ... =5&t=16578

Just killer!

[el_ingeniero]

Here is my solution:
http://billfitzmaurice.info/forum/viewt ... =5&t=16578

Just killer!

[subharmonic]

Here is my solution:
http://billfitzmaurice.info/forum/viewt ... =5&t=16578

Just killer!

You can that again

[Lastcat]

Here is my solution:
http://billfitzmaurice.info/forum/viewt ... =5&t=16578

Just killer!

You can that again

For Sure! Very nice work 67baja