In repairing old cabinets, and other furniture, workmen are sometimes at a loss to know how to get rid of those blisters which appear on the surface, in consequence of the glue under the veneer failing or causing the veneer to separate from the ground in patches; and these blisters are frequently so situated, that, without separating the whole veneer from the ground, it is impossible to introduce any glue between them to relay it; the great difficulty in this case is to separate the veneer from the ground without injuring it, as it adheres in many places too fast to separate without breaking it. We will here, therefore, show how this operation may be performed without difficulty, and the veneer preserved perfectly whole and uninjured, ready for relaying as a new piece. First wash the surface with boiling water, and with a coarse cloth remove dirt or grease; then place it before the fire, or heat it with a caul; oil its surface with common linseed oil, place it again to the fire, and the heat will make the oil penetrate quite through the veneer and soften the glue underneath; then whilst hot raise the edge gently with a chisel, and it will separate completely from the ground: be careful not to use too great force, or you will spoil your work; again, if it should get cold during the operation, apply more oil, and heat it again: repeat this process till you have entirely separated the veneer; then wash off the old glue, and proceed to lay it again as a new veneer.

Banding is a term applied to a narrow strip of veneer used as a border, or part of a border, either to a large veneer, or to solid wood; in the latter case, a rebate is sunk for the banding. Banding is of three kinds: it is called straight-banding when the wood is cut lengthwise of the grain; cross-banding when the wood is cut across the grain; and feather-banding when cut at an angle between the two.

Between the banding and the central part, one or more lines are generally inserted, and sometimes a narrower band.

The joints of banding should be as well matched as possible, both in respect to colour and grain; and, excepting the mitre-joints, it is an advantage to make the joints at the veins of the wood.