Wood Veneering Methods and Visual Effects

By: Briggs Veneers

There are a number of veneer matching techniques providing an excellent range of visual effects. Obviously the
degree of figure (grain, colour and natural characteristics) in the timber specie chosen, the method of veneer
production, together with the desired effect, determine the best matching method for your project.
Note that the illustrations have gaps between the sheets of veneer to show the matching patterns more clearly.
These gaps would not be visible in practice.

Popular Matching Effects

 Vertical Butt and Horizontal Bookleaf Match

Where the height of a flitch does not permit its fabrication into the desired height of panel, it may be matched with
vertical butts as well as with horizontal bookleafs joins.

 Book Match
All types of veneers are used. In book matching every other sheet is turned over just as the leaves of a book. Thus, the
back of one veneer meets the front of the adjacent veneer producing a matched joint design.

 Reverse Slip Match

This is similar to a slip match, except that each alternate sheet is reversed end for end. Normally used with crown cut
veneers.
 Mismatched or Random match
Individual leaves are random matched for effect. Knotty veneers are often laid this way. This is done to disperse
characteristics such as clusters of knots more evenly across the sheet.

 Special Matching Techniques

These four special matching patterns are generally produced on production line equipment.

The matching techniques below are labour intensive, often handmade, usually with veneer wastage significantly higher
than normal matching/joining techniques, and are priced accordingly.
 Wood Veneer Cutting Methods and Veneer Characteristics

The manner in which veneers are cut is an important factor in producing the various visual effects obtained. Two logs of the
same species, but with their veneers cut differently, will have entirely different visual characteristics even though their colours
may be similar. In veneer manufacture, five principal methods of cutting veneers are used.

 Rotary Peeling
The log is mounted centrally in the lathe and turned against a razor sharp blade. The result is like unwinding a roll of
paper. Since the cut follows the log's annular growth rings, a bold variegated grain marking is produced. Rotary peeled
veneer is exceptionally wide.

 Quarter Cut
The quarter log or flitch is mount on the guide plate so that the growth rings of the log strike the knife at
approximately right angles producing a series of stripes, straight in some woods and varied in others.

 Crown cut or Flat Slicing

The half log or flitch is mounted with the heart side against the guide plate of the slicer and the slicing is done parallel
to a line through the centre of the log. This produces a variegated figure.
 Half round slicing
A variation of rotary cutting in which segments or flitches of the log are mounted off centre in the lathe. This results in
a cut similar to a crown cut but slightly across the annular growth rings and visually shows modified characteristics of
both rotary and plain sliced veneers. Generally produces a wide heart with reduced quarter grain on the sides of the
crown.

 Rift Cut Slicing

Rift cut veneer is produced in the various species of oak. Oak has medullary ray cells which radiate from the centre of
the log like the spokes of a wheel. The rift or comb grain effect is obtained by cutting at an angle of about 15 degrees
off the quartered position to avoid the flake figure of the medullary rays.