Hello Ben,
fatskater":2taf77b2 said:
Hello everyone i wonder if you could help me please.
I have made an arcade machine out of MDF about 18mm thick. I have some maple veneer sheets which i want to cover it with, i was wondering if any one had any tips before i jumped straight in.
Can it be disassembled? In all cases it will be easiest if so. A picture would be helpful if not.
How thick is your veneer?
Shooting in the dark as it were, see below...
fatskater":2taf77b2 said:
1. best glue to use and how to apply?
Depends on the disassembly question and the veneer thickness. If it can be taken apart, then I would recommend either
Extramite or
Resorcinol glue. The latter is nasty stuff. Plenty of ventilation and a suitable vapor mask.
You could then either use cauls to press the laminate down for a few days or invest in a vacuum system. Depending on the size you need, these don't have to be too expensive. You do need to veneer both sides of the substrate.
If it cannot be disassembled, then I would recommend
Evo-stik Industrial. This is a contact adhesive. you will need one of these too,
J-Type Veneer Roller, though I don't like the shape of this one I found.
As Jason wrote, you can also use regular woodworking glues. One problem, though, is the amount of moisture/water in them, especially if you are using thin veneer. These glues can also delaminate over time.
And then there is good old hide glue. A good choice in my opinion. Better than regular woodworking alphatic glues.
fatskater":2taf77b2 said:
If you can get a reasonable match, you should be able to find maple edge banding that already has a glue activated by heat--an regular houshold iron works fine.
fatskater":2taf77b2 said:
3. best product to finish it with.
Depends on what look you are going for. I would use what Jason suggested. This would provide a clear color and a tough finish for the use. You can always use an analine dye prior to using a water-based acrylic finish if you want the maple a different tone.