Stop Getting Chipped Veneer

Most woodworkers have had a bad experience at one point or another when cutting a veneered surface using a hand-held jig saw. The veneer can chip out and leave the surface looking like something that a beaver had been chewing on.

Chipped veneer on a finished project is an eyesore, and something that is very difficult to hide once it happens, so don’t let yourself fall into the trap of thinking, “I’ll just fix that up at finishing time.” You might be wondering, “Is there any way to prevent chipped veneer in this situation”? As a matter of fact there is, and our special guest Jimmy Diresta will share his technique for preventing chipped veneer.

What causes chipped veneer? To know how to prevent chipped veneer, first we need to know what causes it. Chipped veneer occurs when there is nothing supporting the veneer from the backside and the cutting action levers the veneer away from the substrate. Veneer can tear out freely along its grain if the grain is not disrupted in any way, and you probably won’t notice how bad it is until you are done with the cut.

How can one prevent chipped veneer? Jimmy’s technique for preventing chipped veneer is not so much to prevent the veneer from chipping, but rather to control the chipping. He will show you how to effectively position your cut line and control the area that is affected by the chipping so that the “keeper” area of your material remains chip free.

Give this technique a try and let us know what you think. It can make the difference between a project looking like something that you are ashamed of, to looking like something that you’re proud to sign your name on. After you’ve mastered this technique, perhaps you’d like to try your hand at applying some veneer.