Are these veneers worth anything?

[chainsaw_louie]

Hi All

I'm cleaning out a shed and found a couple boxes of veneers for instrument making. The thickness is 1/16 and 1/32" I'm guessing. The species are all sorts of exotics woods but I'm not sure exactly which but there is a bundle of 50 pcs of cherry veneer.

Due to being stored in a box in a shed the veneers aren't perfectly flat, does that matter?

How can I price these and sell them ?  

Thanks. 

[rusticretreater]

Water, heat, steam can do wonders with wood.  Some of the other folks on the forum will know what to do.

[Old Greenhorn]

Tonewoods usually bring a premium price, however, Luthiers are pretty particular about the wood they select and they will pay dearly for the best quality. But veneer is not exactly tonewood, it is more of an overlay but still has an effect on tone. How thick are those and are they all the same thickness? Looks like some might be 1/4" or more, which would make them a usable wood for faces, sides, or backs.
 As I said, quality means everything so you could put a little time into those by trimming off split ends and flattening with some steam and clamped stickers. 
 If it were me, I would box them up and start dropping in on Luthiers in my area and be very happy with a sale of the whole lot in one shot. You will not make a lot of money, but it's money you didn't have before. Around here I have perhaps 6 high end luthiers within a 15 minute drive. Not sure what it's like by you. There is some pretty stuff in there that will attract a bit of attention.
 Another route is to put a lot of work into cleaning them up and packaging and offer them on ebay as individuals. Go check out the prices they get for electric guitar veneers there.

[Larry]

Its all far past the expiration date and junk. Ship it to me so I can dispose of it properly.

Actually the wrinkles are very common in veneer. There is a product commonly use to remove wrinkles called "veneer softener". Lots of different brands or it can be home made. Its only used shortly before the veneer is applied.

Can't help much on pricing other than I would want to sell it all as one lot.

[Resonator]

String instruments are generally made with thicker wood than those, and luthiers are very specific about what they would use. Not saying they couldn't be used in some part, but often they'll take a thicker piece and shape it to the thickness they want for a guitar top, violin back, etc.

I'd say what you have there are veneers for wood inlays. Like for doing "Marquetry", making intricate patterns and pictures on wood panels. As said probably sell by the lot, someone who does fine furniture or cabinet making would know more.

[aigheadish]

There's some real pretty stuff in there!

[Larry]

This is how I process wrinkled veneer.

First I spray it with veneer softener and get it really wet. Than I hang the pieces on what amounts to a clothesline in the shop to drip dry for a while.

After it comes off the clothesline its still wet so I put it between paper towels to dry more.

Put some weight on top the stack to flatten any remaining wrinkles. Probably change the paper towels a couple of times. I like the veneer a little damp because its easier to cut. This part is all seat of the pants.

Chop up the veneer to the correct size.

Glue the veneer to the backing in a vacuum bag.

Every few years I'll make 50-100 boxes using this method. In between I do a little one off veneer stuff, clocks and even earrings.

[doc henderson]

where do you source the vacuum bag and flat plate?  Larry.

[Larry]

The bag probably came from Joe Woodworker. I've bought a lot from him. I have a few more different sizes, a couple were home made. The plate is 1" (two 1/2" boards) baltic birch that I covered with plastic laminate.

The pump is a Gast from eBay years ago. I also have a couple of venturi vacuum generators.

[doc henderson]

Well, that sucks Larry.           Thanks.