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Hardwood Record — Veneer & Panel Section 



June 10, 1917 



"EASIMOOV" 



The Veneer Tape that is "Up to the 

 Second" can be removed instantly after 

 having served its purpose, without be- 

 ing sanded. Saves time and expense. 



Write for sample coils 



IDEAL COATED PAPER CO. 



The Veneer Tape Specialists 



MAIN OFFICE AND MILLS, BROOKFIELD, MASS. 



Letters from a Panel User 



ABOUT CORE STOCK 



The loss sustained through depreciated reputation may never be 

 ascertained because all buyers of panels, pianos, furniture, etc., 

 do not register a complaint with the manufacturer when goods 

 go bad, nor ask for an allowance. They keep the manufacturer 

 guessing. The salesman seems to be treated courteously, but he 

 cannot pry an order from the buyer with a pair of Colt revolvers. 



Low priced core stock, face veneer and glues are largely re- 

 sponsible for inferior work. The trouble is that so many buyers 

 do not appreciate the importance of quality, and buy because of 

 low price, imagining they are saving their concern enormous 

 amounts of money. I find that especially core stocks are slighted, 

 the buyer claiming, "Oh what's the difference, it's covered any- 

 way." Of course, some factories get by w^ith cheap core stock, 

 that is, for a short time, but as soon as the furniture manufac- 

 turer uses the panels in his line of work and the finisher applies 

 the stains and varnishes, the evil will out. 



As an able w^riter once stated, "It is like putting a photographic 

 plate, which has been exposed, through a bath of chemicals, and 

 developing the marks left by the application of light. Every 

 manufacturer of panels knows or should know that the oils and 

 varnishes used in wood finishes will prominently bring out all 

 imperfections." A little experimenting in your factory w^ill con- 

 vince you of the truth of this statement. I repeat, do not use 

 defective core stock. Use the best that money can buy. 



The importance of having crossbanding thoroughly dry and 

 getting it under pressure as soon as possible after it comes in con- 

 tact with the moist glue, cannot be overestimated. Again, care 

 should be taken that all crossbanding is laid right side up. 



The preparation of the core stock for veneers is of great im- 

 portance. The English cabinetmaker has a reputation for per- 

 fect panel work. He is as careful in the selection of the core 

 stock as he is in selecting his face veneer. His first step is to 

 observe exact thickness of the stock. Being satisfied (assuming, 

 for instance, the job is five-ply) he glues the crossbanding, and 

 after dry traverses it across the grain with a sharp tooth plane. 

 Expensive? Yes, but he gets results. 



Of course, I do not advocate the use of the tooth plane. We 

 can, however, get splendid results on the sander. For instance, 

 No. 3 Garnet paper on the first cutting roll and lowering the 

 other two will make the stock sufficiently rough so that the glue 

 will lie in the scratch marks. One great trouble with our Ameri- 

 can factories and panel plants is haste. We all seem to fear that 

 the other fellow is pulling one over on us, and for that reason 

 can sell panels, furniture, etc., cheaper than we. To be sure, 

 low cost of production is imperative, but we must not overlook 

 the most important factor, quality. 



As stated, cores must be dried thoroughly. Glue face veneer 

 must be on dry core stock. Nothing is absolutely certain, if 

 crossbanding is not thoroughly dry when laid. The moisture from 

 the glue will expand it, and this expansion will result in an un- 

 equal amount of contraction during the process of drying after it 

 leaves the press. 



Veneer Mill Burned 



On May 2 5 the plant of the Norfolk Veneer Company, 

 Norfolk, Va., was destroyed by fire, with a loss estimated at 

 $ 1 25,000. The blaze is believed td have started in the dry 

 kilns. The plant was built in I 909. The insurance amounted to 

 $75,000. Veneer valued at $25,000 was stored in the mill ready for 

 shipment. One of the employes, A. J. Gibson, lost his life in the 

 fire. 



The officers of the company are: George W. Roper, president; 

 J. P. Andre Mottu, vice-president; Wilson White, secretary-treas- 

 urer;and general manager. Mr. White stated that while the com- 

 pany had been severely hit, it w^ould make arrangements to take 

 care of its orders as far as possible. The plant will be rebuilt 

 as soon as possible. 



All Three ef Us WUI Be Benefited! if You Mention HARDWOOD RECORD 



