VQ 18: Why would I buy a complete vacuum press system if its so much cheaper to use the Heat Lock glue and a clothes iron for veneering?
The iron and glue method is fine for small pieces but it has some disadvantages. To start, some veneers react negatively to the heat from the iron. I’ve found that bubinga and some crotch grain veneers do not respond well at all to heat. Additionally, the heat can cause the veneer to shrink which makes it difficult (but not impossible) to get tight seams between two veneers. The vacuum press method eliminates these issues. Seams stay tight because the glue forces the wood cells to expand. The vacuum press and a good glue will give you flawless bond because you are making a “wetted” joint between the substrate and the veneer. This gives the bond “bite” and is why so many high-end furniture makers would use nothing else. Don’t get me wrong though. The iron on method is a viable veneering option. I use it from time to time on small projects and in places where a vacuum press just won’t work.
