Table veneer

[Jeremyvmd]

So I got it in my head that I want to refit in my table in the 28. I hate the look of the factory Formica. I found a company selling veneer and they have some beautiful walnut burl for pretty cheap. However I've read that it's nearly impossible to get wood veneer to last over Formica long term. Would I be better off screwing some 3/16-1/4" ply to the table top and then bonding the veneer to that, or just bonding it to the Formica?

[Tree]

Have a search of the forum assuming you've not done so yet. There are some brilliant transformations some people have done to the table in the 28. One in particular I remember had a compass rose inset into the veneer. It looked incredible.

[Jeremyvmd]

I did see those but was hoping for a bit of guidence in doing it. It's one of the few things I haven't done in the past and don't wanna mess it up

[Jay Knoll]

Jeremy

Get a piece of Baltic birch ply and make a new top using your existing one as a pattern. Make sure you put veneer on both sides the bottom doesn't t have to be a fancy wood but you need to balance the laminations it isn't a big deal especially if you have access to a router with a flush trim bit. There is a thread dinette table that you might find helpful sorry I'm having trouble putting in a link

[Jeremyvmd]

Do you suggest attaching it to the existing table or just build a new one from scratch?

[Jay Knoll]

Build a new one from scratch if you try to screw a top onto the table the screw heads may show thru the veneer

[Jeremyvmd]

Hmm that's what I was afraid of. Plus if I mess it up I have a table to use Untill I try again. Lol. You think interior grade birch ply is good enough or should I use marine ply?

[Jay Knoll]

You'll be fine with interior grade it will be varnished on all sides and not out in the weather

[Pitou]

Have a search of the forum assuming you've not done so yet. There are some brilliant transformations some people have done to the table in the 28. One in particular I remember had a compass rose inset into the veneer. It looked incredible.

The table being referred to was done by JForesta and he did a great job. He attached a piece of 1/2" ply to the top of the original table and then the veneer. For details, send him a PM or email and see if we can get some details on the build.

Here is a link to the thread & a picture below .. the thread was about "Blue Hulls", but got derailed with some details on his table.

viewtopic.php?f=7&t=3165&hilit=blue+hul ... d&start=15

table.jpg

[Jay Knoll]

That is super work!

[DCatSea]

Wow! That is one beautiful table. I'd be scared to eat or drink off it; makes my best work look like scaffolding.

[Jforesta]

When I did the table for the 28 I used 1/2" birch cabinet grade finished both sides. Glued the veneer to the plywood with Tightbond 3 wood glue using anything to add even weight till glue sets.
I lightly roughed up the Formica and glued and screwed it from underneath. You can use an adhesive such as pl or equivalent .
I just did a table for my 31TE. Had to use 1/4 inch birch since the molding around the table is not as high as it was for the 28tE.
If you have any questions, post

[Jeremyvmd]

I'd love to see the table you did for the 31, your 28 table is part of my motivation to redo mine;). Why get stuck with Formica when you can have something that gorgeous

[Jforesta]

image.jpeg

This is the table for the 31

[Jeremyvmd]

That table looks awesome!