Veneer thickness

[monterey]

I'm gathering materials for the next build and have found some veneers that look good, but are only .023 thick.  Any thoughts on how sound the lay up will be with such thin material in the stack?

[Wagstaff]

It can work just fine.

[kennym]

They work fine, but to make it easier when you get  glue on em, glue them and then lay a thicker lam or glass on em to pick em up instead of trying to pick the veneer up with glue on it. They can be fragile with the weight of glue on em.

I don't think they change your stack much at all, just be sure to add the .023 in your stack(or twice with 2)

[monterey]

Great tip on how to pick them up, Kenny.  Thanks much.

[Bowjunkie]

I glue all lams, including veneers, and lay them together right there on the bench, with minimal movement and risk, then transfer them, together, to the press... then glue and lay the riser in place on the press. Then, on the bench, likewise glue and stack anything that lays on top of the riser... then transfer it to the press as one as well.

[kennym]

I pretty much do it like Jeff, but don't explain it  as well.  :D

[monterey]

Thanks, Jeff.  Another valuable tip.  

[Bowjunkie]

You bet    

[Mark Smeltzer]

I use them that thin, I would inspect them closely for cracks. I have had the glue get into the Crack and split the veneers when pressure is applied. If you see a hairline crack put super glue in it.
Just my experience with really thin veneers.  Some woods have it worse than others.

[Mark Smeltzer]

I use them that thin, I would inspect them closely for cracks. I have had the glue get into the Crack and split the veneers when pressure is applied. If you see a hairline crack put super glue in it.
Just my experience with really thin veneers.  Some woods have it worse than others.

[monterey]

Never thought of the potential crack problem.  I'll be inspecting carefully before layups.

[BigJim]

I rarely ever use a veneer thicker than. 025 and almost all my recurve veneers are.020.
The thicker the veneer, the more it will affect the cast of the bow when using "non" traditional bow woods.
At .025 or less, I can use just about any wood you can think of and not affect performance.
I rarely have splits but it does happen. When adding air to the air hose, just put a little in to start. In a couple minutes add a little more.  Once most of the glue has squeezed out, you can fully pressurize.
BigJim

[7 Lakes]

Before I began grinding my own,I purchased and used many of the 1/42" veneers.  All were baby butt smooth so I roughed them up a bit with sand paper on a block.  If they couldn't stand that procedure they didn't make it.