Embedded Files
a) Explain the meaning of sliced flitch veneers.
b) State where sliced flitch veneers would be used.
While studying veneering students should consider how the veneers are cut and how they will be matched, both are shown here. Consider also the types of substrate, methods of holding the veneers together and adhesives used.
Veneers are 'peeled' or cut from a timber log or flitch. The way the veneer is cut will effect the grain displayed on the face.
The details below outline the methods of cutting veneers and then further below the method of matching these veneers when gluing then to the substrate.
Next time you see a high quality polished internal door, see if you can determine which method was used to cut and match the veneers!
Crown CutThe log is cut in half and the half log or flitch is then sliced straight across, parallel to a line through the centre of the log and tangential to the growth rings. This generally produces a veneer with a central area of strong figurative grain and a more linear effect al each edge.
Quarter cutThe log is cut in quarters, and each quarter flitch is then straight sliced, approximately at right angles to the growth rings. This generally produces a veneer with a relatively uniform linear vertical grain.
Rift cutThis is used mainly for Oak species which have medullary rays radiating from the centre of the log like the spokes of a wheel. The log is quarter cut and then mounted on a lathe, taking curved slices slightly across the medullary rays. This accentuates the vertical grain and minimises the flake figure of the rays
Half-round cutThe log is mounted off-centre in a lathe. Curved slices are taken slightly across the annular growth rings, producing a veneer with some of the characteristics of both crown cut and rotary veneers.
Rotary cut The log Is mounted centrally in a lathe and sliced around the circumference, following the annual growth rings; this gives a bold variegated grain, and enables very wide leaves to be produced. Continuous rotary slicing is also used for plywood and constructional veneers.
Methods of Matching Veneers when adhering them to the substrate.
Book match
Any of the veneers above, except perhaps Rotary cut, can be book matched. Take a pair of veneers face to face are opened like a book and laid onto the substrate.
Slip Match
Veneer slices are joined in sequence without flipping the pattern. If the grain is straight, the joints will not be obvious. Successive veneer leaves in a flitch are "slipped" one alongside the other and edge-glued in this manner. The result is a series of grain repeats, but no pairs. The danger with this method is that grain patterns are, rarely, perfectly straight. Where a particular grain pattern "runs off" the edge of the leaf, a series of leaves with this condition could visually make a panel "lean." In book matching, the pairs balance each other.
Reverse Slip MatchIn reverse slip matching the veneer leaves are slipped out from under each other and every other veneer leaf is flipped end to end. This balances the character of the veneer in the panel face Normally used with crown cut veneers to balance the crowns so that they do not all appear at one end of the sheet.
Random Matching
(Not shown) Veneer leaves are placed next to each other in a random order and orientation and randomly spliced edge to edge, producing a "board-by-board" effect in many species. This produces a casual or rustic appearance, as though individual boards from a random pile were applied to the product. Conscious effort is made to mismatch grain at joints. Degrees of contrast and variation may change from panel to panel. This match is more difficult to obtain than Book or Slip Match, and must be clearly specified and detailed.
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse