Veneer - oak alternatives ?

[cs2010]

I have just finished veneering some loudspeaker cabinets in oak and, whilst they look good, I found the oak veneer quite difficult to work with. It is quite hard and brittle, and prone to splitting, and does not lay very flat (until glued down, at least).

As I will be building some more speakers at some point, I am seeking recommendations for alternative veneers. It still needs to be a similarly light shade (to be in keeping with my furniture), but I would prefer a timber which is easier to work with (softer, flatter, straighter grained).

Neither of the veneer suppliers I have used in the past are willing to provide samples.

 

[Deluks]

Buy your sheet material pre-veneered. Both ply and mdf are available in a variety of hardwood veneers inc. oak.

www.slhardwoods.co.uk

www.richardrussell.co.uk

Your local timber merchant will probably also supply.

 

[cs2010]

Buy your sheet material pre-veneered. Both ply and mdf are available in a variety of hardwood veneers inc. oak.

Yes, I did consider that, but the problem would be achieving an accurate mitre joint at the cabinet corners. Using veneer edging wouldn't look very good.

 

[joinerjohn]

Buy your sheet material pre-veneered. Both ply and mdf are available in a variety of hardwood veneers inc. oak.

Yes, I did consider that, but the problem would be achieving an accurate mitre joint at the cabinet corners. Using veneer edging wouldn't look very good.

Hmm,,, So ,,, Just exactly how do you edge your speaker cabinets??? And what with ??
We're all dying to know.

 

[cs2010]

Hmm,,, So ,,, Just exactly how do you edge your speaker cabinets??? And what with ??
We're all dying to know.

My current cabinets were simply butt jointed MDF (screwed and glued), then veneered over the top. The MDF panel edges are thus hidden.

They look a bit like these commercial designs:
http://www.avihifi.co.uk/duo.html