Hello SketchUp users.
I’m modeling to make plans for a mid century modern dresser that uses veneer core plywood. All the visible carcase edges, door edges and applied drawer front edges will require veneer tape to cover the plywood core. Is veneer tape typically shown in a set of woodworking furniture plans ?
The thickness of tape can vary (some are 1.5/64 others 3/64"). Does explicitly showing this just overly complicate the model ? Perhaps this is better left in the plan notes, “dimensions shown are the total width of the part, including veneer edge tape. Size the plywood panel accordingly.”
Maybe @DaveR can help given his experience with many furniture plans.
If I were modeling furniture that was going to get that sort of treatment I wouldn’t include the veneer in the entire model. If this is a plan you are making to sell to others, you could make a detail view that shows the veneer tape being applied and add appropriate labels and notes to indicate which edges get it. Or indicate something like “Apply veneer tape to all exposed plywood edges.” If the thickness of the tape is critical in the overall dimensions of the part, make note of that in the plan, too. Since the tape thickness isn’t consistent, the actual tape being used must be taken into account by the builder.
Here’s a quickie to show the idea of the veneer tape being applied.
Thanks @DaveR for your suggestions and model. You even got the walnut selection correct for this project.
I’m making these plans for another woodworker with limited edge veneer experience. I like your idea of conveying this in the notes since tape thickness can vary. With a shelf detail and tape as you have shown along with the notes, it should greatly help. Much better then trying to model veneer tape as a component on each part.
since it sounds as if you know the woodworker and his skill level, you should be able to figure out how much you need to tell him. Many of the plans end up being sold to woodworkers of vary skill level. I have to remember to add plenty of detail for those who are less skilled. Much more detail than I would put in for a highly skilled wood worker. And for myself I might add even less because I will have made the model so for me building it in the shop is like building it for the second or fourth time.
@DaveR,
Yes, I did ask the skill level, and shop equipage to understand this client and level of detail to provide. Now I know certain details can be explained as notes rather then modeling. Still, there is a limit to what is said in notes since I’m making a measured woodworking plan and not a detailed set of assembly instructions or a magazine article. Certain basic skills must be assumed.
One of the other items that I will be adding in notes concern drawer boxes (with applied plywood drawer fronts) with side mounted metal drawer slides. I can show a case with one drawer slide that takes up 1/2" on each side of the drawer pocket. And in the model I can show the dimensions of the drawer box between those slides but I would add a note that says “you mileage may vary” depending on which slides they purchase. Some things are best measured on the project as it is built.
When I’m creating furniture models doors and inset drawer fronts are exactly the same size as the opening. The idea is that the person building the piece needs to fit the part to the opening and it’s up to them to make appropriate adjustments for seasonal dimension changes based on where they are and when they are building.
