Sir Larry,
If I don't have access to a hot machine press & will do the veneering manually, how would you suggest I go about it?
Thanks!
Depends on the condition of the veneer that you will buy. Meron kasi na halos flat na at walang mga bumps o bukol. If no special glue can be found, pwede na ang contact cement pero dapat yung malabnaw at madali ipahid. Apply evenly to both sides, making sure that walang magbubuo-buo na contact cement. Kung meron man, dapat alisin agad ang namuo kasi siguradong babakat sa ibabaw ng veneer yun pag na-flatten na. You can use wooden rollers katulad sa baking or kung wala kahit rubber slippers lang to flatten ung veneer na dinidikit mo making sure walang bubble sa loob. You can use plastic sheet on top of the veneer when doing the flattening so as not to damage the veneer.
Ang tricky part ay pag may mga bumps ang veneer na mabibili mo. What we do is to wipe the veneer with moist cloth, let it stand for a few minutes before applying contact cement. Dito medyo kailangan mo na i-press o daganan ng separate piece of plywood ang ginagawa mo. Suggestion ko practice muna sa maliliit na pieces. Ang dami kaya namin nadamaged nung unang gumagawa ng ganyan kaya practice lang.
Pag natuklasan ko kung ano pinangdidikit sa gitara, I will let you know. Definitely mas maganda ito.