According to
the Fine Hardwood Veneer Association (FHVA), veneering
is nearly as old as civilization. “Exquisitely designed
and skillfully crafted pieces of furniture with exotic
veneer inlays and plywood components found in the tombs
of pharaohs are testimony to the lasting value of one
of nature’s most reliable natural resources—hardwood...”
Certain species, selected for strength rather than beauty,
are usually used for plywood inner layers and rotary cut.
Veneer is peeled off a log in continuous sheets. For the
production of face veneer, logs are chosen for their size,
color and natural color marks.
Cutting is the central operation in a veneer factory.
Two logs of the same species, but with their veneers cut
differently, will display entirely different visual characteristics.
Depending on the species and special character grain desired,
a vertical slicer or half-round rotary saw is used. Each
produces veneer sheets collected in consecutive order
no wider than the log’s diameter.
Face veneers are made in many thicknesses and are normally
available from 1/16” to 1/125” (1.6 to 0.20
mm). With modern technology, craftsmen are able to use
thinner and thinner layers, which helps conserve hardwood
species. After cutting and curing to obtain the
desired color, veneers are dried, sampled and packaged
for shipment or storage.
Buyers usually look at representative sheets from many
flitches (a longitudinal section of a log) and then make
their selection based on several factors—color, price,
yield, etc. 
|
 |
| VENEER
PANEL FACE MATCHING |
Lot or Running Match:
Lot or running matched panel faces consist of an odd or
even number of veneers. All veneers are arranged in proper
flitch sequence from the edge of the first panel. Any
portion of a veneer left over is used as the first veneer
on the next panel.
Balance Match: These panel faces consists
of any number of pieces of veneer of equal width arranged
in proper sequence from the flitch. Edge veneer may be
slightly narrower due to trimming.
Center Match: Center matched panel faces
consist of an even number of pieces of veneer of equal
width with one veneer joint in the center of the panel.
Edge veneers may be slightly narrower with trimming.
End Match: End-matched panel faces are
balance- or center-matched and also vertically end-matched
for continuity of vertical, as well as horizontal matching.
This match is often used when panel requirements exceed
flitch length.
|
