I have an upcoming project where I'll need to wrap a curved surface with veneer. We've done this countless times but this project calls for a 6" or tighter radius. The bend needs to take place 90 degrees to the grain direction which will make it more difficult.

The species is plain sawn white oak and I'm thinking that paper backed veneer is the way to go. I'll be using a vacuum frame table for the project.

The surface I'll be applying the veneer to is about 20" deep x 42" long with grain direction going along the 42" length.

This is a counter top like project. At the right hand end the counter bends down towards the floor......very much like a waterfall orientation. So I'll have a 20" wide sheet of veneer going lengthwise on top of the substrate and needing to wrap around the 4" to 6" waterfall bend. It goes down about 6" and then needs to bend back upwards into the horizontal plane.....again at a 4" to 6" radius. This is in effect an S-curve being wrapped by veneer.

Do you think the veneer will make this tight bend without failing? Perhaps 6" yes but 4" no?

Thanks,
BH Davis

Not a direct answer, but have you considered using heat to preshape the veneer? Oaks are among the best species for steam bending. I realize you can't use steam for veneer, but maybe an improvised, oversized luthier's bending iron (pipe heated w/a heat gun)?

Jon,

Clever idea.......thanks.

I've done a little testing and it appears it should be no problem making the bend.

Thanks,
BH

B.H. Davis,

You should be fine making a 4" bend with paperbacked veneer even across the grain. Let the veneer acclimate before applying.

Let the veneer acclimate before using and you may need to double or even triple coat your area with contact before laminating bend.