History: Methods of Cutting Logs Into Lumber and Veneers

Source of version: 18 (current)

!Plain-sawed, Quarter-sawed Lumber, and Veneers 
{img type="fileId" fileId="93" featured="y"}
__There are three methods used in producing lumber__ from logs so as to obtain economical utilization or develop the beautiful grains and figures found in the various kinds of trees, namely: 

(a) __''Plain-sawed''__ - When the log is sawed lengthwise and tangent to the annual growth rings or at right angles to the medullary rays the cut is called "plain-sawed" lumber in hardwoods and "flat-grain" or "slash-grain" lumber in softwoods. This is the most economical manner of producing lumber with the least waste. Also in many trees such as ash, chestnut, elm, and most softwoods ( conifers) the plain-sawed method shows the best grain and figure in the wood.

(b) __''Quarter-sawed''__ - When the log is sawed parallel to the radius or rays, across the rings from the bark to the center, the cut is called "quarter-sawed" in hardwoods and "edge-grain," "vertical-grain" or "rift-sawed" lumber in softwoods. Some species have very prominent medullary rays which accounts for the beautiful figure shown in such quarter-sawed woods as oak, maple, and sycamore.  

{img fileId="94"}

( c) __''Veneers''__ - Veneers are produced in four ways, namely:
# Rotary Veneer - When the log is rotated against the edge of a sharp knife which pares off a thin continuous ribbon or strip the full width of the veneer log or bolt.
# Sliced Veneer - When the log is sliced by being moved lengthwise against a large knife.
# Sawed Veneer - When the log is sawed lengthwise in thin slabs, this usually being done with fine toothed saws.
# Cone Cut - When the veneer is shaved from the end of a cylindrical bolt of wood similar to the manner in which a pencil is sharpened. 

Sawed or sliced veneers may be cut from a veneer log in any direction. Sawed veneer may be cut so as to obtain a "sliver grain" or "quartered sawed" figure. In rotary veneer the growth-ring figure of the log is continuous and extends through the log so that as a thin slice is taken off, the pattern is the same, and one piece can be switched with another cut from the same veneer bolt. Usually the entire volume from a veneer bolt is sold commercially as a unit because no two logs have the same figure. Veneers usually range in thickness from 1/28 to 3/16 inch thick. Some veneers, however, are cut paper thin.

!File References
{files fileId="93:94" showaction="y" showicon="y" showfilename="n" showdescription="y" slidewidth="100%" showlasteditor="n" showthumb="n" slideshow="y"}

{showreference showtitle="yes" hlevel="1"}
Related content

History: Methods of Cutting Logs Into Lumber and Veneers

Source of version: 18 (current)

Related content

Most Popular Tags
