Ground for veneered box - what to use?

[baldpate]

Hi,

I'm thinking of trying to extend my limited skills to making a small veneered box (say 8" x 5" x 3"). I hope you can give me some guidance on a couple of issues:

1. Firstly, what ground to use. I know the flatness of MDF makes it ideal as a base, but there is no disguising it on the inside of the box (or is there?), and I'd like this effort to look decent both inside and out.
Can I use a softwood (as the ground)? Or should I use a hardwood as the ground (and does it need to be the same species as the veneer)? I've seen lots of old veneered boxes at auctions, and I'm sure they used to use an inexpensive wood for the ground.

2. Do I need to veneer both sides of the ground? I've often read about the need to 'balance' veneers, but I'm wondering it is is necessary on so small a box.

3. If I do need to veneer both side, would you veneer the inner face before cutting and assembling the box, or after? Perhaps I should mention I'm planning to make the box by mitring the sides, reinforced with keys.

I've tried to ask specific questions, but if I'm on the wrong track entirely please let me know .

Thanks for any guidance you can give me.

Chris

 

[Anonymous]

well i would use the mdf and veneer the inside and the outside?
that is veneer the side before you cut to size. the thing with a box is the inside has to look as good as the outside?
some people will say i could be wrong though.

 

[stev]

I agree regarding the flatness of MDF but it presents additional problems in needing to be lipped and the lipping issue is made more complex if you intend to saw the lid off your box!

I would definitely veneer both sides and apply finish to the inside of the box prior to assembly, it is easier to apply finish without dealing with internal corners and the glue squeeze out will not adhere to the finished surface so its easier to clean up the inside of the box.

Let us know how you get on.

Cheers
Steve

 

[baldpate]

Yes - I had intended to part the lid off by sawing - that's how I've done it in the past! As I believe you are suggesting, that would leave a bare MDF lip between lid and box (visible when you open the lid), which I don't want.

Thanks for the advice about veneering/finishing inside before assembly. I thought that might be right, but I wasn't sure.

 

[stev]

I made this (hopefully the attachments are there, I don't trust myself to get it right!) with veneered MDF and sawed off the lid, I then lipped the lid mating surfaces after sawing, it wasn't too much trouble. Because I used burr veneer I decided to dress the corners with stringing so as to avoid the crumbly burr edges, this meant the post lipped lid edges didn't look out of place.

The lid for this box is 'pietra dura' (not made by me) which meant there was a danger of the box overbalancing with the lid open so I made the base from veneered slate so there's another option for your groundwork!

 

[jasonB]

There are two ways to deal with the cut edges

1. as above lip afterwards this has the possible disadvantage of seing the lipping or veneer edge when looking at the side of the box. You can take advantage of this by using contrasting timber which can incorporst ea lip to locate the lid like this box all veneer cut from a 7" long bit of 6x2 oak

2. With careful planing the ground can be a sandwich of MDF ror the top and botton with a strip of similar timber to your veneer as the filling (also each edge if top & bottom edges will show) you then veneer both sides of this sandwich and make sure your cut to separate the lid passes through the strip of solid wood.

In either case veneer up a long strip both sides and then treat this as a solid piece of wood and make up your box from that, when cutting the mitres try to ensure the grain pattern runs around the box a swell, though you may get a miss match on one back corner. Apply finish to the inside befor assembly

Jason

 

[Ian]

Very nice Box Steve.

I would suggest MDF and veneer both sides with the same veneer. To over come the lid separation issue sandwich a piece of wood between the MDF before veneering which will solve the problem. For instance if you are using walnut burr veneer sandwich a piece of walnut in the separation and also a piece at the bottom and your done.

Best

Ian

 

[baldpate]

I shall stick with MDF, then, veneered both sides. And you've given me a couple of ideas for dealing with the problem of exposing the MDF when sawing off the lid.

Thanks to everybody for your valuable advice.

Chris