Veneer is produced from timber logs in a number of ways with important options being rotary peeling or slicing.
Rotary peeling
In rotary peeling, the whole log is mounted centrally on a lathe (a machine that rotates the log against a large ultra-sharp knife) and turned continuously. Quite similar to unrolling a toilet roll, the rotary peeling process follows the tree’s annual growth rings resulting in bold, irregular markings. Rotary cut veneer is wide so it is usually cut to size and defects, if any, are removed. It is a very cost effective cutting method due to its yield.
Slicing
Slicing is favoured for the production of decorative timber veneers and cuts. The most common methods are quarter and crown; however, the possibilities are only limited by the imagination.
In order to produce quarter cut veneer, the log must be cut into quarters before slicing. A quarter log is placed on a frame so that the knife meets the growth rings at a right angle. The result is veneer with stripes, which depending on the species may or may not be straight. This slicing technique requires trees of large diameter and yields are typically lower than other production methods, meaning quarter cut veneer can be more expensive.
Crown cut (also known as flat cut or plain sliced) involves a half log being moved towards a knife in an up and down movement. The slices, referred to as leaves, are stored in sequential order as they are cut. This practice is important for matching veneers for project aesthetics. Crown cut is a widely used slicing method in veneer manufacturing and typically results in a straight grain interspersed with cathedral patterns, also known as crowns.
Other methods of producing veneer include half-round slicing, which is a variation on rotary peeling, and rift cut, where the log is sliced on a slight angle. This method is predominately used in the slicing of Oak to minimise the appearance of a feature common to Oaks known as medullary ray.
The team at Matilda Veneer would be happy to show you samples of veneers cut in different ways to help you understand the distinct aesthetic they bring to a project.
Image credit: Timber Veneer Association of Australia
