John S. wrote, "Pressing crotch Mahogany to a substrate (in my experience) requires a hot press capable of very high temperature (think 300 degrees F) and pressure (north of 100 lbs per sq in) and specialized adhesives (dry sheet adhesive). I don't believe you will ever be successful laminating single-ply crotch Mahogany with a vacuum press."
Seriously?
We have a hydraulic hot press. We use dry film adhesive. They are cool if you have the volume and the capital to support them. I have also personally pressed thousands of square feet of crotch veneer using vacuum technology with great success.
Sometimes it's more about know-how than equipment. Crotch veneer needs to be flat and supple. Sometimes it comes that way and sometimes it needs to be treated and flattened. I do agree that PVA is not a good choice for adhesive. Urea is really required for long-term stability. But I would not discourage small shops with vacuum presses and some veneer experience from pressing crotch veneer.
John Costin
Veneer Services Unlimited
vsu@gwi.net
207-985-7221
Custom Veneered Products for the Woodworking Industry.