Stop Chipping the Veneer

Many woodworkers have had a frustrating experience cutting a veneered surface with a hand-held jigsaw at some point. The veneer can chip off, leaving the surface looking as though a beaver has been chewing on it.

Chipped veneer on a completed project is unsightly and hard to fix once it happens, so don’t fall into the trap of thinking, “I’ll just repair that during finishing.” You might be asking, “Is there a way to prevent chipped veneer?” Fortunately there is, and our guest Jimmy DiResta will show you his method for avoiding chipped veneer.

What causes chipped veneer? To prevent it, we first need to understand what causes it. Chipped veneer happens when there is no support behind the veneer, and the cutting motion causes the veneer to pull away from the substrate. If the grain isn’t disturbed, veneer can tear out easily, and you might not notice the damage until the cut is complete.

How can you prevent chipped veneer? Jimmy’s method doesn’t completely prevent chipping but rather controls it. He’ll demonstrate how to position your cut line and manage the area affected by chipping so that the “keeper” portion of your material remains chip-free.

Try out this technique and let us know how it works for you. It can turn a project that you’re embarrassed by into one that you’re proud to put your name on.