USE OF WOOD VENEERS FOR MOUNTING ON METAL PLATES
Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 2nd Aug., 1887
Complete Left, 2nd May, 1888
Complete Accepted, 8th June, 1888
FREDERICK TOM HEMMING 299 St. James' Road, Old Kent Road London S.E.
Show Card Frame & Tablet Manufacturer do hereby declare the nature of my
invention for THE USE OF WOOD VENEERS FOR MOUNTING ON METAL PLATES to be
as follows:-
"
For Veneering Metal:-My process is as follows. I cover the surface of the sheet
of metal on the side to be veneered with Copal Varnish, which is allowed to remain a
sufficient time to become partially set or "sticky" or tacky" I then place the wood
veneer on that surface of the metal treated with the varnish as above described and
submit them to pressure in the manner following, according to the nature of the
veneer being used and the size of the metal plate viz. by passing the sheet of metal
with the wood veneer placed on the varnished surface through a rolling machine or
other suitable means of obtaining an uniform & level pressure sufficient to cause the
wood veneer to adhere firmly & closely to the metal.
In some cases I prefer to attach the wood veneers to the metal plates with a mixture
of glue & paste or glue or paste alone, instead of the Copal Varnish above
mentioned especially in dealing with certain kinds of veneers the more especially
where used for Veneering Metal Tablets for advertising purposes, not intended to be
exposed to the weather out of doors. I make the glue & paste mixture above
mentioned in the manner following viz. :-I mix flour (rice flour by preference) and
water in suitable proportions and then add one part of melted glue to six parts of
paste & mix till thoroughly amalgamated (these proportions may in some cases be
varied) this mixture I apply to one side of the veneer to be dealt with & then place
the veneer on the metal & apply pressure in a similar way to that hereinbefore
described where varnish is used as the attaching agent. The metal plates when faced
with veneer by either of the methods before described are allowed to dry in in suitable
racks provided for the purpose, when dry they can be cut to any size or shape desired.
If desired the plates can be polished or varnished in the manner following, I apply
a coat of size which is allowed to become thoroughly dry, and in the case of open

page_text: grained veneers rubbed down with sand paper or the like and then treated with a
second coat of size. The plates are now in condition to receive the final varnishing
or polishing.
The Tablets can be printed on for advertising purposes & having a frame stamped or
embossed at the margin make a durable combination framed Tablet shewing the
natural grain & figure of the wood. They may also be used for decorating ceilings
& embossed to imitate solid wood blocks for, wall & other decorative purposes. They
can be bent to any shape, are light & will not split, and may be used with
advantage in many cases whore it would not be practicable to employ solid or
veneered woods.
Dated this 30th day of July 1887.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Use of Wood Veneers.
I, FREDERICK TOM HEMMING of 299 St. James's Road, Old Kent Road, S.E. in
the County of Surrey, Show-Card frame and tablet Manufacturer do hereby
declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement :-
--
The object of my invention is the production of an article of manufacture,
consisting of wood veneers mounted on metal plates, and the processes I employ for
this purpose are as follows:-1 cover the surface of the sheet of metal on the side to
be vencered, with copal or other suitable varnish, which is allowed to remain a
sufficient time to become partially set, sticky, or tacky. I then place the wood veneer
on the varnished surface of the metal plate and submit the whole to pressure, either
by passing through a rolling machine, or by the use of any other suitable
apparatus, or means for obtaining a uniform and level pressure, sufficient to cause
the wood veneer to adhere firmly and closely to the metal. The amount of pressure
employed will vary with the nature of the veneer and the size of the plate.
In dealing with certain kinds of veneers, more especially where used for veneering
metal tablets for advertising purposes, not intended to be exposed to the weather out
of doors, I prefer to employ a mixture of glue and paste, or glue or paste alone,
instead of the copal varnish aforesaid. I make the glue and paste mixture by mixing
flour (rice flour by preference) and water in suitable proportions and then adding
one part of melted glue to six parts of paste and mixing till thoroughly amalgamated.
The particular proportions may in some cases be varied. This adhesive mixture I
use in the same manner as described in reference to the varnish, but I wish it to be
understood that I do not necessarily confine myself to the use of the particular
adhesive mediums which have described, as I may employ any kind of gum or
cement which will affix the veneer with the requisite tenacity and elasticity. In place
of attaching the veneer directly to the metal I find it however advantageous in
practice to first coat the metal with paper, preferably on both sides, and then attach
the veneer to the surface of the paper. The same adhesive mediums and means of
pressure being employed as before. If desired I may first mount the veneer upon
paper and then mount the two together upon the metal plate, and in place of or in
addition to the paper, I may employ linen, calico or other suitable material of
that nature.
The plates when faced with veneer by any of the above described processes are
allowed to dry in suitable racks provided for the purpose, and when dry they can be
cut to any size or shape desired. The veneer adheres with such tenacity that raised
or embossed patterns can also be stamped or impressed upon them.
If it be desired to polish or varnish the finished plates, a coat of size is applied to
the veneer and allowed to dry, and in case of open grained veneers, is then rubbed
down with glass paper or other suitable material and a second coat of size applied.

page_text: When this is dry the veneer may receive one or more coats of any suitable varnish
or it may be French polished. Such plates can be printed upon for advertising
purposes and may have a moulding stamped or embossed round the margin, thus
making a very durable combination frame and tablet, shewing the natural grain and
figure of the wood.
The plates can also be used for decorating ceilings, and if embossed to imitate solid
wood blocks, form an excellent covering for walls. These are only a fow instances
of the uses to which the plates can be put, but as they are ornamental in
appearance, showing the natural grain of the wood, are light and can be bent to
any shape, will not split or warp, or absorb moisture, and are easily affixed
to any surface, they may be used to advantage in a great many cases where it
would not be practicable or convenient to employ solid or ordinary veneered wood.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. The improved article of manufacture, consisting of plates or tablets formed
by the combination of wood veneer with sheet metal, substantially in the manner and
for the purposes as herein set forth.
2. The improved article of manufacture, consisting of plates or tablets formed by
the combination of wood veneer with sheet metal with paper, linen, calico or other
suitable material interposed, substantially in the manner and for the purposes as
herein set forth.
o