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Handheld stitcher advice

8/24/20       
Pdub Member

Alright, we are finally facing up to the fact that using the 10 mil paperbacked sheets are not cutting it anymore. There is NO margin to sand anything without risk of burn through.
Taping is much too slow.
So, we are starting to look at stitchers and probably the handheld sort. It seems like there are 2 basic types of models shown here https://www.kuper.de/en/veneer/veneer-splicing-machines/veneer-handgluers.html
Any opinion on 1 kind vs the other?
I've never stitched before. What I can gather is that I need to buy at least 1/32" thick and then we can stitch on the glue face?
I've already got a veneer cutting jig set up for the slider that works well.
Any other advice before diving in?

8/24/20       #2: Handheld stitcher advice ...
David R Sochar Member

The hand held stitcher sold by Vacuum Systems is a Kuper (?) and works very well. I think Daryl Keil made a video of how to use it.

We use it on veneer up to 1/16"thick. Sands off easily, and it pulls the two sheets together as it stitches. We only use 1 to 2 times a month, but it is well worth the cost.

A sales rep for a large National veneer layup company saw us using it in our shop and borrowed it for 2 days to show it to his boss. When he returned it, he said they ordered 3 of them for the sketch face department.

8/24/20       #3: Handheld stitcher advice ...
Pdub Member

Thanks David. Do you mean VacuPress or Veneer Sytems? The Vacupress one looks a lot like the Kuper with a different name on the sticker. The Veneer Systems machine looks different altogether.
After watching a few videos, it appears the more open design version seems to go across the ends while the longer, lower, white version is seaming along the grain. Could just be coincidence in videos though.

8/24/20       #4: Handheld stitcher advice ...
John Van Brussel

Website: http://www.veneersystems.com

If you are looking at the Kuper hand held zigzag the unit you want for splicing is the HFZ-4. The KHL 1 and KHL 2 are straight line units used for end reinforcing spliced sheets.

You can use the zigzag face down (in the glue line) down to 1/50". Of course you have to be careful when sanding because you can get sand throughs.

If you are using a stroke sander you may want to put the thread face up when you go thinner than 1/42".

https://veneersystems.com/product/hand-held-zig-zag-splicer-hfz-4/

8/24/20       #5: Handheld stitcher advice ...
Pdub Member

Thanks John. I was hoping you'd respond. Can you tell me about the "gold" machine you've got on the site and compare it to the Kuper? Not a lot of info on there. https://veneersystems.com/product/hand-held-zig-zag-splicer-2/

8/25/20       #6: Handheld stitcher advice ...
David R Sochar Member

We have the HFZ/4 zig-zag stitcher. From Vacu-Press - Vacuum Pressing Systems Inc.

https://www.vacupress.com/product/veneer-stitcher/

8/25/20       #7: Handheld stitcher advice ...
John Van Brussel

Website: http://www.veneersystems.com

The one you are seeing on our website is one we used to manufacture. We quit making them in 2016 as the components required would have doubled the price of the unit.

I have updated the one you were looking at as it should be the same as the HFZ/4.

12/8/20       #8: Handheld stitcher advice ...
That Guy I Member

What I found out over the 30yr course of doing in-house veneer layups is that veneering is an art form. It takes time and someone dedicated in learning the art. I'm not talking about stitching and laying up maple or poplar but custom exotic veneer, Ebonys, Tabu veneer etc.. Thats where the art comes in. Along with the preplanning and hand selecting the veneer and finding the right flitch for the whole project and making sure you order enough.

Then the sorting of the veneer, once you get the flitch you have to inspect and make sure the sequence is found and followed throughout the project.

Then you have the mapping side of it. You have to map out every single part being cutout and what sheet number it's coming from. very involved processes.

The glue mixing ration is also a very import process. We do all our layups in house. We've done full kitchen in Macasar Ebony (over $10,000 in very little sq veneer) and belive me you do NOT want mistakes.

Our equipment for laying up for your reference:
We have a dedicated veneer saw (trust me it makes a difference, I wouldn't even consider cutting flitches on the table saw). Similar to this one: https://www.hoefer-maschinen.com/products/veneer-and-panelsaw-fsp/?lang=en

We have a tabletop splicer. This investment is going to payoff in the long run if your getting serious about doing your own veneer layups. A hand stitcher is going to be very limited and not as productive. Pay once cry once.

and we have a 5x9 hot press. We step press materials that are longer.

if an outside shop was to come to us to do layups our price per sheet would be $400-$500 a sheet. That's how involved custom veneering is.

The processes it takes to layup a whole project is long but the results are stunning and second to none if done right.

By advice would be find out if your local supplier sells custom sequence veneer or find a shop that already does layups and order your sheets from them. We do this all the time for smaller shops. The investment to do it right is big and the learning curve takes time.

We have a full-blown custom veneer layup operation and still order sequence veneer from our supplier (walnuts and Rift white oak) just because we can't compete with the price they charge us per sheet.


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