Folks - I have a small piece of red oak that is wildly figured, that I'd like to use for veneering onto another piece in order to use it for a drawer false front. Problem is, it's also wildly warped. The thickness ranges from 1/4" to almost 1/2"; other dimensions are 7" x 20", and eventually the drawer front will be 5" x 17". It is both cupped and bowed, making it sort of saddle-shaped.
I was wondering if anyone has ever tried to flatten such a piece. I was considering soaking it in a tub for a few days, then maybe parking my tractor on it or something while it dries. If I can get it anywhere near flat, then I would think I could machine it into something like a thick piece of veneer. In case it matters, it was air dried. It's a slice off a crotch section, giving it both that figure and warpage. The rest of the crotch (it was pretty large) was made into a bar top and is spectacular. The friend who cut it and made the bar top gave me this piece as he figured it was useless (and he's probably right).
Fool's errand? Doable? Thoughts appreciated.
Ken