Chapter 11 Veneer Copyright 2009 Delmar Cengage Learning

Chapter 11 Veneer Copyright © 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning

Objectives • • • Define veneer Discuss the production of veneer List the different methods of cutting veneer Identify the different types of veneer Explain the different thicknesses of veneer and what they are used for Copyright © 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning

Introduction • Veneer: thin slice of log or timber • Was used extensively in classic furniture of eighteenth and nineteenth centuries • Used now: – In the production of manufactured panel products – In making curved shapes – To enhance plain surfaces Copyright © 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning

Veneer Production • Best logs (select logs) that are cut are sold for veneer production – Veneer logs are debarked, cut to length, and then softened by immersion in hot water or by steaming before veneer is cut from them • Called peeler blocks • Highly decorative veneers are also cut from burl, crotch, and butt, or stump, wood Copyright © 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning

Figure 11 -6 Veneer cut from burl, crotch, and stump material is highly decorative. Copyright © 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning

Veneer Production (continued) • Veneer cut from burls has a circling, wavy, knotty pattern • Veneer cut from crotch wood exhibits a highly figured V-grain, sometimes called a flame pattern • Veneer cut from the stump has a wrinkled line pattern Copyright © 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning

Veneer Production (continued) • Three ways of cutting veneer – Rotary cutting, slicing, and stay-log cutting • Rotary cutting – Log is turned on a lathe and rotated against a stationary knife – Fastest method of cutting veneer – Produces the greatest amount of veneer from any given log – Used to make ninety percent of all veneer Copyright © 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning

Veneer Production (continued) • Slicing – Method by which most hardwood veneer is cut – Two types of slicing: flat slicing and quarter slicing – Flat slicing: • Peeler block is cut in half lengthwise • The two halves are known as flitches • A flitch is attached to a flitch table that moves up and down against a stationary knife Copyright © 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning

Figure 11 -14 Flat slicing veneer. Copyright © 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning

Veneer Production (continued) • Slicing (continued) – Quarter slicing: • Same as flat slicing except that the log is quartered rather than halved • Results in a far different look than plain slicing produces Copyright © 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning

Veneer Production (continued) • Stay-log cutting – Log may or may not be cut into flitches first – Either the log or the flitch is mounted on a lathe with an eccentric chuck and swung against the knife – Three different patterns may be produced: rift, half round, and back-cut Copyright © 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning

Figure 11 -18 Stay-log rift-cut veneer cutting. Copyright © 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning

Veneer Production (continued) • Stay-log cutting (continued) – Rift cutting: • Cutting at a 45° angle to the annual rings • Log is first quartered into four flitches • Results in a very straight-grained veneer – Half-round cuts • Produce a large U-patterned grain • Peeler block is halved, and cuts are made from the rounded side of the flitch Copyright © 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning

Veneer Production (continued) • Stay-log cutting (continued) – Back cutting: • Peeler block is cut in half lengthwise • Cuts are taken from the flat part of the flitch • Produces grain pattern very similar to that found in flatsliced veneer Copyright © 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning

Veneer Production (continued) • After veneer is cut, it is clipped to various widths; defects are cut out • Next, veneer is dried to less than 10 percent moisture content • Once dry, it is clipped to length Copyright © 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning

Veneer Production (continued) • Veneer thicknesses – 1/10˝ to 3/16˝ thick: thickest veneer; used as plies in plywood – 1/28˝ to 1/40˝ thick: used to enhance plain surfaces or used as face and back veneers in the production of cabinet plywood – 1/40˝ to 1/100˝ thick: thinnest veneer; used to make reinforced veneers Copyright © 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning

Summary • Veneer: thin slice of wood ranging in thickness from 1/100 to 3/16 of an inch • Veneer is produced from the highest quality logs • Veneer is cut by one of three methods: rotary cutting, slicing, or stay-log cutting • Veneer is sliced in different thicknesses for different applications Copyright © 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning