Rhoad's & O'Hara - Veneer Specifications

ROTARY CUT VENEERS

The log is mounted centrally in the lathe and turned against a razor sharp blade, like unwinding a roll of paper. Since this cut follows the log's angular growth rings, a multi-patterned grain marking is produced. Rotary cut veneer is exceptionally wide.

QUARTER SLICED VENEERS

The quarter log, or flitch, is mounted on the flitch table so that the growth rings of the log strike the knife at approximately right angles, producing a series of stripes, straight in some woods, varies in others.

FLAT SAWN OR PLAIN SLICED VENEERS

The half log, or flitch, is mounted with the heart side flat against the flitch table of the slicer and the slicing is done parallel to a line through the center of the log. This produces a distinct figure.

HALF ROUND SLICED VENEERS

A variation of rotary cutting. Segments, or flitches, of the log are mounted off center on the lathe. This results in a cut slightly across the annular growth rings, and visually shows modified characteristics of both rotary and plain sliced veneers.

RIFT CUT VENEERS

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

MATCHING OF ADJACENT VENEER LEAVES

BOOK MATCHED The most commonly used match in the industry. Every other piece of veneer is turned over so adjacent pieces (leaves) are opened like the pages of a book.
SLIP MATCHED Often used with quarter sliced and rift sliced veneers. Adjoining leaves are placed (slipped out) in sequence without turning, resulting in all the same face sides being exposed.
RANDOM MATCHED Veneer leaves are placed next to each other in a random order and orientation, producing a "board-by-board" effect in many species.
ARCHITECTURAL END MATCHED Leaves are individually book (or slip) matched, first end-to-end and then side-to-side, alternating end and side.
STACK OR CONTINUOUS END MATCHED Leaves are individually book (or slip) matched, separate panels are stacked in sequenced order, either horizontally or vertically in the elevation.

MATCHING WITHIN INDIVIDUAL PANEL FACES

RUNNING MATCHED Each panel face is assembled from as many veneer leaves as necessary. This often results in a non-symmetrical appearance with some veneer leaves of unequal width. Often the most economical method at the expense of aesthetics, it is the standard for Custom grade and must be specified for other Grades, Running matches are seldom "sequenced and numbered" for use as adjacent panels. Horizontal grain "match" or sequence cannot be expected.
BALANCE MATCHED Each panel face is assembled from veneer leaves of uniform width before edge trimming. Panels may contain an even or odd number of leaves, and distribution may change from panel to panel within a sequenced set. While this method is the standard for Premium Grade, it must be specified for other Grades, and it is the most common assembly method at moderate cost.
CENTER BALANCE MATCHED Each panel face is assembled of an even number from veneer leaves of uniform width before edge trimming. Thus, there is a veneer joint in the center of the panel, producing horizontal symmetry. A small amount of figure is lost in the process. Considered by some to be the most pleasing assembly at a modest increase in cost over Balance Match.

SKETCH FACE PATTERNS

DIAMOND MATCHED	REVERSE DIAMOND MATCHED
BOX MATCHED	REVERSE OR END GRAIN BOX MATCHED
HERRINGBONE MATCHED	PARQUET MATCHED
BOOK & BUTT MATCHED	SUNBURST MATCHED