| CLICK HERE FOR INDEX PAGE |
| VENEER |
| V. Ryan © 2011-2025 |
| PDF FILE - CLICK HERE FOR PRINTABLE WORKSHEET |
| CLICK HERE FOR POWERPOINT VERSION OF WORKSHEET |
| Veneer is manufactured on a special machine cvalled a Peeling Lathe (see labelled diagram below) |
 |
| Veneer is a thin sheet/layer of natural wood, usually a similar thickness to cardboard. It is 'shaved' from a tree trunk in a number of ways. The most popular method is to ‘peel’ a layer of thin wood (veneer) with a cutter, whilst the tree trunk revolves on a large lathe. |
 |
| ROTARY CUTTING MECHANICAL DOULBE-CHUNK PEELING LATHE, VENEER ROTARY LATHE |
| The cylinder of wood (a cleaned up tree trunk) is placed between the two chucks of the peeling lathe. It rotates at high speed and the cutting blade removes a small depth of veneer, in the form of a sheet. |
 |
| The peeling lathe operator has an assistant, who handles each ply of veneer as it peels off the trunk / wood and on to the cut off table. Each ply is placed carefully on a pallet, creating a stack of plies / veneers. |
 |
| SAMPLE OF VENEERS |
 |
| A single layer of veneer is called a ‘ply’. Numerous plies (layers of veneer) are placed on a pallet. When the plies are first cut, they are slightly flexible, due to their moisture content. When stacked, they are gently compressed, to ensure that they do not deform. It is important that the plies remain as flat as possible. The upper pallet is placed on top, usually with a weight which prevents the plies from warping / deforming. |
 |
| When stored or prepared for transport and distribution, numerous ‘plies’ are placed securely between two pallets (or similar), held together by thin, sheet steel restraints called ‘steel strapping’ / metal strapping. This arrangement stabilises heavy loaded pallets. Plastic or polyester strapping is also used. |
 |
 |
| SIMPLIFIED ANIMATION OF ROTARY CUTTING MECHANICAL SINGLE-CHUNK PEELING LATHE,VENEER ROTARY LATHE |
 |
| Veneer is available in two
forms, sheet and rolls. The larger sheet veneer is usually glued onto the
surface of a cheaper manmade board, giving the illusion of expensive
natural wood. In its simplest form, a roll of ‘iron on’ veneer can be used to glue along the edge of a board, providing a quality finish and hiding the cheaper board beneath. |
| SHEET VENEER TYPICAL PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS |
 |
 |
 |
| HOW TO VENEER THE EDGE OF A BOARD |
| ‘Iron on’ veneer is purchased
in the form of rolls. It is supplied in a range of widths, lengths and
woods. One side is natural wood and the other is a layer of glue/adhesive. To use: A strip of veneer is cut slightly longer than the edge of the board. It is positioned on the edge of the manmade board, natural wood side facing upwards. A ‘hot’ iron is placed on top of the veneer. This warms and melts the glue. As the iron is pushed along the strip, the veneer is glued to the edge of the manmade board. A craft knife is used to trim the veneer to the exact size. |
 |
| CLICK HERE FOR RESISTANT MATERIALS INDEX PAGE |