Thread: Box lid question

I'm no expert, but from my experience with burls a solid panel is not a good idea.

But I've got to ask, why do you say that veneering it to a piece of ply would waste more material than veneering it to Birds-eye Maple? Either way you'd use just as much Burl but using ply would save on some Maple and be a saving, wouldn't it?

Well, first I suck at resawing. Tend to use 1/8" of waste for each cut still. getting better though. Veneering both sides would probably use almost as much burl as doing solid. With the burl/maple veneer, I would only veneer one side saving my precious burl and still having wood on the inside. Does that make sense or am i just confused again?

How's sunny Seattle ?


I've found good luck in veneering both sides (See my Holiday Jewelry box post, where I put Sycamore on one side and purple heart on the other. Post 20 and Post 30)

I also looked at you drawing and if you were to cut the angle where shown, any slip up (unless you sneak up on it) might expose the under lying layer.

I really like putting a ply middle due in a very large part to lid stability.

Anyway, I'm sure it'll come out great. Can't wait to see the box.

Perhaps this is nit-picking. I thing MDF is a superior substrate to ply, unless you are using a cabinet makers grade, then it's pretty much the same. The advantage of MDF is that it is absolutely flat and stable. It has no voids and will not delaminate. If using a thin veneer (less than 2mm), 'telescoping' can be a problem. Telescoping is when over time the minor irregularities in the substrate telescope through the veneer. The veneer can take on the grain pattern of the substrate. If you use MDF, there is no grain pattern or irregularities to contend with.

Although using 3/16 (almost 5mm) this is unlikely to occur.