A Question For The Cabinet Builders -Help

[amesrs]

I plan on building some really nice speaker cabinets for my DIY kit and I want to use some rosewood veneer over an MDF shell. I also want to use some hardwood banding on the cabinet to protect all the corners and use a 3/4" radius for the front baffle. Do I:
1) Route out the dados in the perimter
2) install the veneer ((flush trim)
3) install the banding
4) flush cut the banding
5) then route for the 3/4"raduis?

My concern is that I don't want to fray the veneer when it's flush trimmed by my router and I want to minimize any glue stains on the veneer because I will need to to deepen the veneer's color a bit to match the finish on my sub.

Ps: Also looking for some good sources for veneer (and best type to use) that's not rediculously priced. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.

[PMazz]

Safest way would probably be to make the solid wood stock slightly larger than the rabbet. If you want a 3/4" radius, rough the solid stock 1/32" heavy. Route the final radius and just sand the overhang down to the veneer. You may need to route again. Be careful when glueing and clean off excess glue with a damp rag several times.

Tape-ease

http://www.wood-veneers.com/veneers.htm

Pete

[ThomasW]

We keep Pete on retainer so he can answer those questions requiring professional counsel.

Thanks Pete... :T

[PMazz]

Retainer? I must've missed those payments.

Your package went out Friday BTW.

Pete

[Hank]

Pete's right. Go for it and enjoy!

[amesrs]

Thank you Pete for your advice and references. Got a followup.

Can I use a veneer trimmer to flush trim the veneer to the rabbited corners or use a router bit (such as in spiral downcut)? If I do need one, who sells a good quality bit?

[David Meek]

While I'm nowhere near Pete's class, as far as bits 'n blades are concerned, I'm VERY partial to Freud.

[PMazz]

Thank you Pete for your advice and references. Got a followup.

Can I use a veneer trimmer to flush trim the veneer to the rabbited corners or use a router bit (such as in spiral downcut)? If I do need one, who sells a good quality bit?

A good router bit will yield a better edge, especially on the cross grain cuts. If you're comfortable with a sharp trimmer, it'll work tho.

Amana makes decent quality bits. Unless you plan to use it a lot, save your money and buy mid-range quality. MLCS is another cheaper alternative.

Eagle

MLCS

Ridge

Tool King

Tools Plus

Pete

[amesrs]

Thank you all for your help. :T