Get veneer for free - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

stevehertz · 31st Jul 2023, 10:39 am

When I'm scrapping an old, unwanted and (demonstrably) unsaleable set, apart from saving the knobs, bulb holders, valve bases and that sort of 'likely to be needed' stuff, I also try to salvage veneer from the cabinet. Only wooden sets mind, you can't do it with Bakelite ones

. Anyway, just leave the set outside in the rain for a week or two (British summer is fine) and the veneer will start to lift. It's then a relatively simple matter to slowly peel it away. If it's not lifting easy, don't break it, leave it for longer. Once off I wash down the glue side under the tap to remove as much of the glue as I can then lie it non-glue side down on kitchen roll, and then dab the glue side dry with more kitchen roll. Leave it overnight in the house to begin drying, and it'll need a few more days to dry thoroughly. Free vintage veneer.

Nickthedentist · 31st Jul 2023, 11:02 am

What a sad sight (poor old Ultra?) but very clever and, as you say, a well worthwhile exercise.

I often see old furniture, pianos etc. sat out in the rain, I'll take a closer interest next time.

fetteler · 31st Jul 2023, 11:12 am

What a brilliant idea! Seeing old radios, furniture and pianos etc. as a source of vintage veneer is a whole new concept.

Steve.

Nickthedentist · 31st Jul 2023, 11:27 am

A big charity shop near me used to have a lot of ex-house clearance furniture, ranging from chipboard tat to genuine antiques. Sometimes, pieces didn't sell so they were left outside with a "free, help yourself" sign. I grabbed the odd bit and got some nice pieces of oak etc, but never thought of retrieving any veneer.

fetteler · 31st Jul 2023, 12:38 pm

I think we may have found a new hobby!

Steve.

The Philpott · 31st Jul 2023, 3:47 pm

If anyone ever comes across any form of Rosewood, it's vital to scavenge it if possible- as it's on the endangered list and can't be legally felled.

Dave

Rejectostat · 1st Aug 2023, 9:01 am

I have also been reclaiming veneer in this way for many years. I use if for patch repair of cabinets. Most useful are small pieces of cross-banding at the edge of cabinets, which are particularly vunerable and hence sometimes found missing in places. As can be seen in Steve's photos, one of the big advantages of reclaim for me for in cross-banding repair is that there usually remains at least one guillotine-cut straight edge in the reclaim, which even with sharp knife and guide I find difficult to replicate (due to cutting across the grain on thin strips)

31st Jul 2023, 10:39 am	#1
stevehertz Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Rugeley, Staffordshire, UK. Posts: 8,645	Get veneer for free When I'm scrapping an old, unwanted and (demonstrably) unsaleable set, apart from saving the knobs, bulb holders, valve bases and that sort of 'likely to be needed' stuff, I also try to salvage veneer from the cabinet. Only wooden sets mind, you can't do it with Bakelite ones . Anyway, just leave the set outside in the rain for a week or two (British summer is fine) and the veneer will start to lift. It's then a relatively simple matter to slowly peel it away. If it's not lifting easy, don't break it, leave it for longer. Once off I wash down the glue side under the tap to remove as much of the glue as I can then lie it non-glue side down on kitchen roll, and then dab the glue side dry with more kitchen roll. Leave it overnight in the house to begin drying, and it'll need a few more days to dry thoroughly. Free vintage veneer. Attached Thumbnails __________________ A digital radio is the latest thing, but a vintage wireless is forever..

31st Jul 2023, 11:02 am	#2
Nickthedentist Dekatron Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Oxford, UK. Posts: 17,560	Re: Get veneer for free What a sad sight (poor old Ultra?) but very clever and, as you say, a well worthwhile exercise. I often see old furniture, pianos etc. sat out in the rain, I'll take a closer interest next time.

31st Jul 2023, 11:12 am	#3
fetteler Octode Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Staffordshire Moorlands, UK. Posts: 1,407	Re: Get veneer for free What a brilliant idea! Seeing old radios, furniture and pianos etc. as a source of vintage veneer is a whole new concept. Steve. __________________ Those who lack imagination cannot imagine what is lacking...

31st Jul 2023, 11:27 am	#4
Nickthedentist Dekatron Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Oxford, UK. Posts: 17,560	Re: Get veneer for free A big charity shop near me used to have a lot of ex-house clearance furniture, ranging from chipboard tat to genuine antiques. Sometimes, pieces didn't sell so they were left outside with a "free, help yourself" sign. I grabbed the odd bit and got some nice pieces of oak etc, but never thought of retrieving any veneer.

31st Jul 2023, 12:38 pm	#5
fetteler Octode Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Staffordshire Moorlands, UK. Posts: 1,407	Re: Get veneer for free I think we may have found a new hobby! Steve. __________________ Those who lack imagination cannot imagine what is lacking...

31st Jul 2023, 3:47 pm	#6
The Philpott Dekatron Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Colchester, Essex, UK. Posts: 4,018	Re: Get veneer for free If anyone ever comes across any form of Rosewood, it's vital to scavenge it if possible- as it's on the endangered list and can't be legally felled. Dave

1st Aug 2023, 9:01 am	#7
Rejectostat Hexode Join Date: May 2003 Location: Hertfordshire, UK. Posts: 304	Re: Get veneer for free I have also been reclaiming veneer in this way for many years. I use if for patch repair of cabinets. Most useful are small pieces of cross-banding at the edge of cabinets, which are particularly vunerable and hence sometimes found missing in places. As can be seen in Steve's photos, one of the big advantages of reclaim for me for in cross-banding repair is that there usually remains at least one guillotine-cut straight edge in the reclaim, which even with sharp knife and guide I find difficult to replicate (due to cutting across the grain on thin strips)