How cutting affects decorative hardwood veneer

E IGURE lN DECORATI\/E

I hardwood veneer is important since the visual effect of the application depends on the grain pattern and movenrent in the wood. A variety of visual effects is available. depending on the way in which the veneer is cut. Two logs of the sanre species with the veneers cut differently will produce veneers of distinctive visual characteristics although the colors are sinrilar. Variegated grain. figure, stripes. straight or varied, rift or combed effects are some of the variations possible.

Five principle methods of cutting are used in veneer manufacturlng.

Rotary

The rotarl, cut follows the log's annual growth rings to produce a bold variegated grain nrarking. In this nrethod, the log is nrounted centrally in the lathe and turned against a razor sharp blade. The cut, nruch like the unwinding of a roll of paper. produces exceptionally wide veneer.

Flat Slicing

The heart side of a half log or flitch is placed flat against the guide plate of the slicer in flat slicing. The slicing is done parallel to a line through the center of the log and produces a variegated figure.

Half-Round Slicing

Half-round slicing is a variation of rotarl' cutting. Segments of logs or flitches are mounted off center in the lathe. The result is a cut slightly across the annular (1'early) growth rings. The figure produced is a nrodification of the rotary and plain sliced veneer characteristics.

FLAT SLICING

Rift-Cut

\/arious species of oak are used for rift cut veneer because oak has nredullary ray cells which radiate from the center of the log like the curved spokes of a wheel. Cutting at an angle about lS']ti' off the quarter position results in a rift or conrb grain effect. The angle is necessary to avoid the flake figune of the nredullary rays.

Veneer nren enrphasize the inrportance of the figure and grain pattern on the face ofthe veneer by describing the characteristics of the wood in terms of these fisures.

HALF.ROUND SLTCING

Quarter Slicing

For quarter slicing the quarter log or flitch is mounted on the guide plate with the growth rings of the log striking the knife at approximately right angles. In some woods this produces a series of straight stripes. in others varied stripes.

Rotary

Sfory at a Glance

How hardwood Yeneer figure is created. five cutting methods decide visual effect...same wood, different look.