cutting wood veneer

[narfire]

Glued some black walnut veneer to the face of the dash on the 72 . Looks fine and trimed the outside edges with a sharp box cutter and sandpaper.
Need an idea from someone that has done this but how to cut out the gauge holes? I was thinking of a small diameter drill about 1/8 th or so away from the edge then connect the dots so to speak with a sharp knife.
Any ideas for a guy whose fine finishing used to consist of using smaller chainsaws..
Thx
Chris

[fiasco]

Glued some black walnut veneer to the face of the dash on the 72 . Looks fine and trimed the outside edges with a sharp box cutter and sandpaper.
Need an idea from someone that has done this but how to cut out the gauge holes? I was thinking of a small diameter drill about 1/8 th or so away from the edge then connect the dots so to speak with a sharp knife.
Any ideas for a guy whose fine finishing used to consist of using smaller chainsaws..
Thx
Chris

If I understand correctly, you have laid the veneer over the dash piece, so you have a layer of veneer over the hole that is already cut out of the wood - yes?

If this is the case, I would get a narrow bladed Xacto knife and cut the hole from the back. I'd lay the dash piece face down on something you don't mind getting cut (like a piece of scrap wood or dense cardboard). Then I'd cut the hole in the veneer from behind by approaching the back of the veneer through the hole in the wood. I would rough-cut the hole from this direction (i.e. cut the hole in the veneer a little smaller than the hole in the wood to leave yourself an edge to clean up.

Then I'd turn the wood over, and clean up the edge very carefully from the front side.

You probably want the edge to turn out perfect, just because you are a Fiat Spider aficionado, and therefore, by definition, even the smallest detail must meet the highest quality standards. On the other hand, the lip of the gauge is going to cover the edge of the hole, so if your edge is not perfect, don't worry about it too much.

Just go slow, and don't risk chipping a big chunk out of the veneer that will show beyond the lip of the gauge.

-- se

[RRoller123]

Agreed completely. I rough out with the blade, and finish to the edge with sandpaper. Chipping is the enemy of veneer, so go slowly and take it easy on the edges.

Don't forget to clear the litle notches at the bottom of a couple of the holes, that align those particlular instruments.

Pete

[narfire]

Thanks guys. Going to tackle the dash part with the gauges tomorrow. Did the glove box with the small drill bit and knife and fine sand paper. To get the notch out I had a small diameter chain saw file. They are very fine and genly stroke front to back (glove box) and it managed to take the notch out in the lock part.

[RRoller123]

FYI: Just got an email: 10% off everything at veneersupplies.com through March 5th. I have NO affiliation with these guys whatsoever other than being a satisfied customer. They are excellent!

Pete

[narfire]

Update: cutting with the small diameter drill and a SHARP box cutter worked well. I used a chain saw file to smooth the edges. That worked well as they are a very fine cut and come in different diameters. They clean with a simple wipe on the jeans.

Problem I've now found is in my choice of finishes... had a can of exterior flecto semi gloss. The while coloured stuff.
Put one coat of that on and the glove box now has a bit where the veneer has lifted. The Flecto was water based and I'm thinking it has reacted with the contact cement/glue and separated. Same with a small section on the two narrow strips from the middle of the dash.
Gauge section looks ok so far.
Might have to sand the veneer off and re-apply another layer, see what it looks like this morning.
I have a can of oil based polyurethane I'm useing next.