Veneer refers to a thin sheet of wood, typically produced to a thickness of about one-eighth of an inch or less. This material is crafted through various methods, the most common being rotary cutting. In this process, a log is mounted into a large lathe and spun against a knife edge, peeling off a continuous strip of wood as the knife penetrates deeper into the rotating log, creating a rotary-cut veneer.
Other veneering techniques include plain-slicing, quarter-slicing, and rift-slicing. These methods start with preparing a segment of the log called a flitch, which is sawn to the desired size. The flitch is then fixed horizontally against a movable frame. Adjacent to this, a horizontal veneer knife slices through the flitch as the frame moves downward, producing a thin sheet of veneer. After each slice, the knife advances closer to the flitch by the thickness of one veneer slice, ensuring consistent thickness across sheets.
Veneers are extensively used in various applications due to their aesthetic appeal and versatility. They are commonly utilized in fine paneling, cabinetry, wood flooring, furniture making, and the manufacturing of other wood products. These uses highlight the veneer's ability to provide a desirable wood finish while also maximizing the utility of timber by minimizing waste.
