How are veneers sliced?

 

Gunns produce both Quarter Cut and Crown Cut veneers, these methods produce vastly different grain patterns due to the position of the trees growth rings relative to the slicers knife.

 

Veneer cut perpendicular to the growth rings produces Quarter Cut veneer with a consistent 'striped' appearance.

 

Quarter cut veneer

 

 Veneer sliced tangentially to the growth rings of the tree produce Crown or Cathedral cut veneer.

As their names imply these veneers feature distinct peaks or spires in the grain pattern, the most pronounced of these is referred to as cathedral cut, where considerable attention is paid to centering the grain pattern in the leaf.

Crown cut veneer

Where possible Cathedrals and Crowns should be installed pointing upwards. Crown cut veneers with a random grain pattern are referred to as 'Swirl' and are popular in application where a subtle grain pattern is required. The capital cost of the machines used to slice eucalypt veneers is extremely high, as these species are some of the densest timbers available in the world. Similarly the process of soaking or steaming the flitch before slicing is extremely important in ensuring a sound stable leaf of veneer is produced.

 

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