Thread: Who's made a veneer hammer?

Originally Posted by Glider

Having always worked with solid timber, the wallet is feeling the strain so I've decided to give veneering a go. The glue pot (cosmetic wax heater) and hide glue have arrived so the next step is to make a veneering hammer. I have a piece of aluminium angle in the shed, 3mm thickness and 37mm each side. The plan is to cut a handle on the bandy, fix it to the top edge of one side and the job should be done. Well...I hope so.

Does anyone have any better ideas?

mick

I think it may be wise to stay away from the aluminium as it may well stain the veneer if you are using a light colour veneer. I have made several veneer hammers and 3mm brass seems to be the most effective, it will also hold heat a bit better than the aluminium. Just something to think about.

Give it a trial on some scrap prior to using it on the good stuff.

All the best

Router

My friends has a chunk of copper. I guess you need to sell your first born to afford that. But it would be the best for heat retension.

Heat retention sounds like the common factor and Al could stain. Guess I'd better rat the shed for that piece of brass angle. Could've sworn I saw it there about 20 years ago.

mick

My veneer hammer hasn't seen any use in 20 years.
Mine is beechwood with a solid strip of brass, probably about 5mm thick, ali is definite no go.
Hammer veneeriing is not for the faint hearted, you will need a warm workshop 20+ degrees Celcius, warm iron and damp cloth.
Most of my attmepts were made in an Unheated workshop in England, not ideal as the glue chills at low temperatures.

Good luck with making the veneer hammer

Originally Posted by mark david

Hammer veneeriing is not for the faint hearted, you will need a warm workshop 20+ degrees Celsius, warm iron and damp cloth. Most of my attempts were made in an Unheated workshop in England, not ideal as the glue chills at low temperatures.

Thanks Mark. At 3700 ft above sea level, my neck of the woods isn't the warmest in Winter, especially inside my own unheated tin shed. I'll put a couple of blow heaters on the bench to keep everything warm.

mick