VENEER-SHADE LAMP

Get ready for warm and glowing reactions to this lamp. It makes sheets of veneer and bits from your scrap bin really shine.

- CRAIG RUEGSEGGER

After applying a finish, we often say that wood has a "glow." This project takes that to another level. The glow comes from within-a light bulb shines through veneer adhered to clear acrylic panels. The polished edges of the acrylic also create striking illuminated vertical accents at each corner. Tablesaw joinery makes this a simple project you can complete in a few evenings.

GET CLEAR ON THE VENEER

Clear epoxy adheres the veneer to the acrylic without diminishing any light. A lighter-colored veneer, such as the birch we used, lets more light through. A burl pattern adds character and looks great with a little prep. See Veneering? Relax. on the next page.

1 For the panels (A), cut four pieces of 1/8" acrylic to 64×124". A 60- or 80tooth blade in the tablesaw works well. Lightly sand the cut edges with 220-grit sandpaper to remove burrs.

2 Cut four 64×121/4" pieces of veneer. From scraps of 3/4" sheet goods, cut two 6/2×121/2" pieces to use as clamping cauls. Tear four 7" lengths of waxed paper from a roll and remove the protective film from one face of each piece of acrylic. Lay a piece of acrylic on one of the cauls, film side down.

3 On a clean piece of scrap, lay out two 11/2" diameter circles. Use these to evenly dispense and then mix the epoxy [Photo A]. Apply the thoroughly mixed epoxy to an acrylic panel [Photo B], place the veneer on it [Photo C], and clamp the assembly [Photo D]. Repeat this process to make the four panels (A), starting with a fresh mix of epoxy for each.

4 After the epoxy cures, trim the panels to finished size [Materials List]. Finish-sand the veneer to 220 grit.

5 Polish the long edges of each panel by sanding with 150-, 220-, and then 320-grit sandpaper [Photo E]. Then remove the remaining protective film.

VENEERING? RELAX.