[Marsupial]

I've been trying to get proper veneer replacement for the shoulders of my 47-1230.

The main issue for me is to identify the type of wood, either on the radio or when I see some in stores. Finding appropriate substitutes is an issue.

How do people know what type of wood? Are there tricks, or is it bare knowledge?

On my precise case, I think I have read in the phorums that most veneer on the 1230 is walnut.
Now, most hardware stores around here don't have veneer at all, and the larger surface do carry maple, pine, oak and birch. I do not think I can substitute birchwood to walnut and have something that looks even remotely the same..?

Browsing the web and asking friends, I end up finding a (somewhat) nearby wood specialist store. the problem is opposite: they have 5 kinds of walnut. African, black american, all weird names that makes no sense to me.

They do have veneer for "black walnut" that looks (to my untrained eyes) the same coloration as the rest of my stripped radio.

here's their page (sorry they only have french version)
http://www.langevinforest.com/fr/produit...noyer-noir

and in attachment is what my radio looks like, for comparison
   

Am I correct in assuming it would fit the bill?

[Arran]

Mars,
I think I mentioned what the species of veneer was in the thread you started about stripping the cabinet. In any event the veneer that was used on the control panel/top of your radio was plain cut French walnut, same with the veneer on the shoulders. As far as I know they did not use black walnut on these cabinets, though some manufacturers did. As for suppliers there are several out there, I bought mine from a fellow on fleabay about a year ago, along with a bunch of other veneer species and cuts. Albert Constantine has many species of veneer, so does Rockler Woodworking, but there are others.
Regards
Arran

[Marsupial]

Hey Arran, I didn't think about looking trough the bay for veneer. I'm havign a hard time getting wood supply. We don't have most US venues north of the borders, and there doesn't seem to be that much in term of canadian replacement.

I'm up to the point that I think I'll take what I manage to get and be done with it.

[Arran]

It doesn't really matter, most U.S vendors will sell and ship to Canada. There is also a fellow on fleabay from Quebec that does sell veneer from time to time, I've never bought from him but he seems to sell for reasonable prices. Realistically you have to get over the hangup over cross border shopping with this hobby, I hate to say this but Canadian businesses are still largely clueless about selling online. But then again Canadian businesses are largely clueless anyhow, many are not only economically illiterate but mathematically illiterate as well.
Many Canadian businesses still have not caught onto the idea that the U.S and Canada is an integrated economy where they don't have to limit their market to a country of 34 million people. They whine about people cross border shopping but still insist on buying from Canadian middlemen suppliers at a markup when they could buy off of a U.S (or China) one for less and pass on the savings. I don't know whether it is a case of ignorance or a misguided sense of loyalty, most of the Canadian suppliers and distributors are just buying off of U.S ones to begin with. Entrepreneurship seems to come to Americans much more naturally whereas Canadians tend to play useless games like picking and choosing who their customers are.
Rather then caving in and using the wrong materials just because a Canadian retailer has a paltry selection I would search a little longer from one that does have it, or buy off of fleabay, or go to a U.S supplier. If they don't really want your business take it to someone who does, the Canadian dollar is worth $102 U.S right now so why not. As for Mohawk products they do have a Canadian website, so if you contact them they should be able to put you in touch with the nearest retailer of Mohawk products.
Regards
Arran

[Marsupial]

I still haven't found a canadian website for Mohawks. If you know of one, I am all ears. They won't sell to Canada because of import regulations.
And so far I haven't found a local supplier either.

The problem is, very soon it will be too cold outside to do any work. When the finishing products freeze before drying, there's a problem. And I'd like to get the radio back all together before winter time, to prevent any damage to the chassis or cabinet.

I still have about a month or so for that, and I can expect 2-3 weeks shipping, so I am running short.

[Arran]

Where are you located, Mohawk has an office in Vancouver but I found the name of at least one outfit in Quebec that deals in Mohawk products,

http://www.jacquescoulombe.com/mohawk.htm

Another outfit that sells Mohawk is Richelieu Hardware.

http://www.richelieu.com/statique/index....on&lang=An

Here is their Vancouver Office:

Mohawk Western Finishing Supplies Ltd
1561 Kent Ave North E, Vancouver, BC V5P 4Y7
604-324-6787

Also their website:

http://www.cylex.ca/reviews/viewcompanyw...d=16698587

Regards
Arran

[Marsupial]

Arran, that Vancouver office is just about 2900 miles away from my place... I am in Montreal. I tried to contact Coulombe in Montreal, both by email and phone, and got nothing so far. It seems to be a pop & ma operation and I haven't got any luck with them.
Richelieu is next in line for trying out; there's one store about 70 miles away... much closer

The cylex website only goes to Mohawk USA website, but there's a "contact company" tool that might work; I sent them an email.

Thanks for the hand.

[squeeker7]

I restore Victrolas and use Bob Morgan veneer. Most of the stuff I use is 1/16" thick and double wood. However, he has a very good selection of wood veneer - you man want to check out his website..

[Ron Ramirez]

Link, please?

Certainly.

http://www.morganwood.com/catalog/

How about that...he's in Westport, KY, more or less in between Louisville and Madison, IN on the Kentucky side of the Ohio River. Not too far away from me.

[Arran]

Mars;
Here is what appears to be another source, presumably in Montreal, so it's another place you can try.

http://www.jacquescoulombe.com/mohawk.htm

Regards
Arran

[Marsupial]

Richelieu won't sell to individuals. Sucks big time. Again, Coulombe won't answer to either emails or phone. They seems to be a mom and pop import operation that does business when it suits them and I am having no luck with them.

I am going to Langevin Forest this afternoon and will see what I can get from them.

[Marsupial]

What's supposed to be the best place for wood in Montreal had only "black walnut" and no "medium" or pale walnut. They also don't have any toners.

I'm up to a point that I'll just use the black walnut veneer for the shoulder, and minwax for finishing the whole cabinet. I've been wasting all the good weather trying to identify a source for products, and it didn't bring me anywhere farther than what I had at first, so I'll make do with what's available here and that's all.

[Marsupial]

For what its worth, once you add toner to "black walnut" the result is very very close to what the radio looks like with the same toner. I barely can see a difference.

[TheFightingHellfish]

I agree with Marsupial, and don't let them kid or intimidate you with all kinds of names.
American Walnut is Black Walnut, is Virginia Walnut, is walnut canaletto, or sometimes Black Hickory; 'Juglans Nigra'. All the same. The heartwood matures into a rich dark brown with sometimes wavy or curly grain, texture is generally coarse but uniform.

European Walnut, French walnut, lebanese walnut, etc. are all 'Juglans Regia' and tend to be less warm in color and more highly figured. It is the favored wood for most high grade gunstocks because of its stability and density.

'Burl walnut' is made from an almost cancerous growth near the root of some trees, is generally very dark and very highly figured. Because of its scarcity, burl is usually only used as a special trim wood or inlay.

The missing stripe on yours could be very easily fixed with American or Black walnut (the same). Most veneer products will only use the heartwood, which is darker than the sapwood, so your color should match well, and the grain in your photo seems like it shouldn't be too difficult to get a 'good enough' match.

I have tried the plain veneer, and the 'self adhesive' kind. I prefer the untreated, non self-adhesive kind and apply it with contact cement, usually 'pinning' the ends with something stronger (like gorilla glue) and clamping them until it dries, even if it means a rope with a half-hitch to clamp it right.
Is the veneer loose on either side of your split? If so, now is the time to fix it, just tap your fingernail down along the edges and listen for the 'pop'. Loose veneer will make a distinct sound. Just lift the loose spots Gently with a razor blade and work some glue underneath with a small brush or a piece of paper. For lifted areas too deep for you to get a brush into without further damage, a srynge with an 18 or 20 gauge needle (these suckers are BIG, usually for horses etc, but most pharmacies usually have them) filled with 85% Elmers and 15% water will get the glue safely under the veneer 'bubble'. Oh, and make sure to use the kind with a Screw On tip -voice of experience...
Then simply clamp or press it down with weights (Saran wrap keeps the glue from sticking to your clamps or weights.)

Edit: It will probably come rolled up like a poster, so when you uncurl it, be careful and slow -let it fully warm up before you unroll it. You don't want to crack it across the grain if you can avoid it. If it is not the self adhesive kind, the steam from a clothes iron or a tea kettle lightly applied may help.