Need Pics of Veneer Skinned MDF w/ V Carving

[widgetworks_unlimited]

At several of the ShopBot camps I've seen plaques/signs made from a interesting composite material. It's has an MDF core with oak/cherry/maple veneer skins.

The signs are usually simple V-carved letters, allowing the MDF to show through the veneer. It seems like a simple/effective technique. The finished look is a cross between wood burned and painted letters.

I'm considering the use of this technique on a job and need to show the client photos. Does someone have pictures of this type of sign/material that they can share? I've searched the forum and ShopBot camp archives - no luck.

If the photos are too large to post to the forum, you're welcome to email them to me directly - my email address is listed in my profile.

Thanks in Advance!

[wberminio]

Russ
I have a few veneered Mdf panels at the shop.
Give me a call.

Erminio

[billp]

Russ,
Some of the pieces you may have seen at the Camps were done using materials from Europe. A few of the Vectric "samples" used the "veneer /color core" type of substrate you mention above. Apparently this is a very common item over there, but not as readily available on this side of the pond.
I believe the "James Dean" sample for Photo V Carve uses that material in fact.And their "case studies"for that program show some other images.
I know there was a recent Forum thread in which people were looking for a source of colored MDF panels, maybe you can get some leads there.

[porscheman]

Russ (and Bill),

Maybe I'm missing something here, but the material you are referring to is readily available from any supplier of veneered sheet material. I can buy oak/maple/cherry/walnut veneered sheets in either ply-core or MDF core. The price is usually lower for MDF core since the cost of the substrate is lower.

As Russ has seen in the camp examples, this stuff can be V-carved with great ease - there are obviously no internal voids that can be exposed and when a clear finish is applied, the MDF will turn medium/dark brown. A few brief seconds of random-orbital sanding on the face of the V-carved surface will knock-off any stray veneer-face fibers and you are ready to finish. The only potential issue is the appearance of the panel edges, which will show the MDF to a greater degree.

I'm not a sign-maker, but I've carved a lot of small signs for family and friends out of veneered MDF off-cuts that I had laying around the shop. I usually apply a quick powder-based glaze to the engraved letters and graphics to further accentuate the V-carving. I think I have a photo of a small sign I carved for my nephew that I'll email to you.

Hope this helps.

John

[billp]

John,
The stuff I saw from Vectric used a black MDF core, and the beauty of that was once you V Carved it, the result was similar to Color Core, you were done, no staining, etc.

[nschlee]

Here's a Safety Board we recently produced. The text on the main board is V carved .1" deep into Armour Core. Armour core is made using plywood veneer inner cores with .125" thick veneers of MDF on both sides then laminated with the hardwood veneer of your choice, this sign is maple. Armour Core is lighter in wt. than veneered mdf and you don't get the "grain telegraphing" of veneered ply. We do quite a few large jobs like this with it. It routs nice.

Neal

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