backer material for balancing panels
10/14/13
All of our veneered parts get veneered with a face veneer then a backer grade veneer because the back side of the panel is the underside of what becomes a table top. We have always spliced backer grade maple veneer to press on the underside of the table. The substrate is always 3/4" MDF. The panels are all pressed in a Joos hot press at 90 degrees celsius for a total of 3 minutes. This is all using PVA adhesive. Is there any material that I could order in that didn't require the milling and splicing of backer veneer but would still create a balanced panel? I have tried Yorkite but had no luck getting a panel that remained flat. Thanks
10/15/13 #2: backer material for balancing panel ...
Website: http://www.northcreekwoodworks.com
Stay with wood if you want flat panels. Same specie in most cases. If you don't have the ability to make backs or just do not want to, find a face plant that will do it for you, they are usually happy to get rid of low grade sound material (assuming you have a reasonable volume). If you just make a few a week, tough it out.
10/15/13 #3: backer material for balancing panel ...
There are many different backers you could use. The maple you use is a good choice. You could use gator ply, okume, etc. I suspect your panels are warping because you're leaving them in the press too long. 90 degrees Celsius ok, but I would not leave them in the press any longer than 90 seconds. Whats your glue spread like? Heavy, thin? 5 mils is all you need.