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Stringing Wood/Veneer

Stringing Wood/Veneer (post #168756)

markbarabas on Tue, 08/23/2011 - 05:32

Wood and Materials

I am wondering if Aspen may be a substitute for Holly in the use of inlay or stringing? I'm building a Federal period side table and have a good supply of Aspen at my disposal to cut into stringing. The Holly veneer is too thin (1/20").

Would it be OK for me to glue two pieces of the Holly veneer together (yield 1/40") and thin out to the 1/32" thickness that is required by the groove the LieNielson stringing cutter tool makes?

Thanks for your recommendations.....Mark

Mark, I'm not familiar with (post #168756, reply #1 of 4)

by joinerswork in reply to markbarabas [original] on Wed, 08/24/2011 - 07:01

Mark,

I'm not familiar with aspen, but if it is the right color and has good working qualities (straight grain, even density), it ought to work fine. I've used maple, holly, dogwood, boxwood, even willow before for string inlay, as well as mahogany, cherry, ebony, and poplar, and many veneers. If it isn't so cross-grained that it is weak in such small dimension- satinwood isn't fun to make stringing out of- it'll work.

Ray

I'm confused (post #168756, reply #2 of 4)

by trialnut in reply to markbarabas [original] on Wed, 08/24/2011 - 14:15

1/20" would be .050", 1/40" would be .025" and 1/32 is .031". How do you thin out 1/40" to become 1/32"? I think if you have 1/20" Holly you could cut your stringing directly from it, glue it in and scrape flush.

Rich

The Professional Termite

Rich, Dang fractions. If (post #168756, reply #4 of 4)

by joinerswork in reply to trialnut [original] on Fri, 08/26/2011 - 05:46

Rich,

Dang fractions. If .20 + .20 = .40, seems like 1/20 + 1/20 ought to = 1/40 don't it? Not fair. Or consistant. Congress ought to pass some legislation, or something.

Ray

String inlay (post #168756, reply #3 of 4)

by frankfive in reply to markbarabas [original] on Thu, 08/25/2011 - 21:29

Hi Mark,

I'm not familiar with aspen and its qualities, but it sounds like you really want holly.

Yes, you can glue two pieces of veneer to a thickness larger than the groove and thin it. Use good even clamping pressure between cauls when you glue up the two pieces and, after you slice off your individual string pieces, check them to ensure there is no visable line.

Better yet, though... if you're putting all this work into a fine piece worthy of inlay, and if you want holly... why not just get a chunk of solid holly stock and slice your own, perfectly sized stringing? Holly isn't cheap, but a little goes a long way when you're making stringing and banding.

Good luck with the Federal piece!

Frank

There's a fine line between fishing and just standing on the shore like an idiot. - Steven Wright