How to Cut Straight Lines in Wood Veneer

Wood veneer is a thin layer of hardwood pressed into a sheet that can be applied over other woods or wood composite products, such as plywood and particle board. The cutting of straight lines is essential to creating clean seams between pieces of veneer. It is also a handy skill to have when you are fitting veneer to countertops, or for other applications where your veneer will be butted up to a previously installed straight edge, such as a wall or backsplash.

Making Straight Seams between Pieces

• 1

  Arrange the two adjoining pieces of veneer so that they overlap in the area where the seam between them will be. Use squeeze clamps to hold the two pieces of veneer in place.

• 2

  Measure and mark both ends of the straight line that will constitute the seam between your pieces. Use white chalk to mark the line for easy removal.

• 3

  Lay a heavy metal straight edge so that it is precisely positioned to provide a straight line between the two points at the ends of your seam. Clamp it in place with C-clamps.

• 4

  Cut the seam with a utility knife with a fresh blade installed. Make the first cut with only slight pressure to score the line. Complete the cut with a second stroke, pressing firmly to cut both layers of veneer. Keep the knife moving at a steady pace and riding against the metal straight edge.

• 5

  Remove the clamps and straight edge. Your veneers' edges should now present a perfect seam.

Cutting a Straight Edge

• 1

  Clamp your veneer to a straight piece of ¾-inch lumber at least as long as the line you wish to cut, with the edge overhanging the lumber by at least ½ inch. Position the clamps on the edge of the board opposite the overhang. Wider lumber works best, as a 1-by-10 or 1-by-12 will give the router a good surface to run on and leave room for clamps.

• 2

  Install a flat cutoff bit with a bearing into your router. Adjust the depth so that the shoulder of the blade of the bit rides ¼ inch below the bottom face of the base plate.

• 3

  Place the router on the board at the left end of the cut. Start the router and push into the veneer edge until the bearing rides against the edge of the board underneath. Run the router smoothly from left to right to complete the cut.