Veneet Cuts

Wood Veneers 180 Views

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Plain SlicingPlain slicing is the most common veneer cutting method used for high-end decorative and architectural panels, with an appearance similar to that of plain sawn lumber. Typically, leaves are sliced from a half log flitch in parallel to the center cut, creating a natural figure progression with each successive leaf. This natural evolution of grain presentation is well-suited for various matching techniques. Plain sliced veneers exibit a cathedral or flame pattern in the center of the leaf, which begins to straighten as it approaches the lateral edges.Image Courtesy of the HPVA
Rotary CuttingRotary cutting is the most economical veneer slicing method, in which the entire log is mounted on a lathe, and turned against a stationary knife. This essentially peels the log into a single, contiguous sheet. Provided that the width of the resultant sheet is sufficient, this method can be used to produce single-piece faces, covering an entire panel without seams. Rotary cut veneers exibit a wide, erratic grain pattern, making joint matching difficult. A variation of rotary cutting called half round slicing instead uses a half log flitch, and produces veneers with both rotary cut, and plain sliced characteristics.Image Courtesy of the HPVA
Quarter SlicingQuarter slicing involves cutting leaves from a quarter log flitch by orienting the knife perpendicularly to the log’s annual growth rings. This method yeilds relatively narrow sheets in comparison to plain slicing, thus requiring that the source logs be of adequate diameter to create sufficiently wide veneers. The consistent vertical grain pattern acheived by quarter slicing allows the leaves to be easily matched with one another. Some species cut in this way (particularly red and white oak) present a light to heavy flake pattern resulting from bisection of the log’s medullary rays, depending on their prominence.Image Courtesy of the HPVA
Rift CuttingRift cutting is most commonly used on oak species when a vertical grain appearance is desired without the flake effect caused by medullary ray exposure from quarter slicing. This is done by mounting a quarter log flitch onto a lathe, and turning it against a knife whose angle is adjusted to minimize flaking. Due to the involved rotary motion, rift cutting has the ability to produce wider sheets than quarter slicing, making it a desireable method for cutting other species requiring a tight, vertical grain appearance, and wider leaves. As with quarter sliced material, rift cut veneers are easily matched.Image Courtesy of the HPVA

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