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Hardwood Record — Veneer & Panel Section 



June 25, 1917 



Ordering Built-Up Stock 



Some Suggestions to Save Time and Money for Both the Buyer and the Seller 



LTHOUGH BUILT-UP or veneered lumber has 

 been in use for many years, and I believe w^as 

 i^ i first manufactured in Europe, yet there are 

 many persons today w^ho are not familiar with 

 the many vs^ays in which it can be utilized. 



This article is therefore written for the benefit of the 

 uninitiated, as well as the manufacturer or dealer, who is 

 frequently embarrassed because his client does not make 

 his wants clear when ordering, and in this way a great 

 deal of valuable time is lost through correspondence. 

 Most consumers do not appreciate how much time is re- 

 quired for the successful output of this product, referring, 

 of course, to veneered stock used in high-class furniture. 



In other words, six to eight Vi'eeks should be allowed 

 for the preparation of dependable stock, which can be 

 easily arranged if the consumer will make out his requisi- 

 tion for panels, etc., at the time he issues instructions to 

 his superintendent for the next cutting. In many in- 

 stances this is overlooked, and in that event the panel 

 manufacturer is depended upon to come to the rescue, 

 which frequently results in errors and poorly manufac- 

 tured goods being turned out. 



Unfortunately, there are no established grading rules 

 by which one might be governed, and which makes it all 

 the more difficult to execute such orders intelligently. 

 There is urgent need for the establishment of grading 

 rules for built-up stock as well as veneer in general, and 

 I therefore recommend that this association take up the 

 subject without further delay, and if possible, do so at this 

 session. 



Too much stress cannot be laid upon this subject, when 

 it is considered from various angles, especially as it re- 

 lates to mis-cut stock, due to improper specifications, 

 which results in stock being rejected, and which is fre- 

 quently a total loss to the panel or veneer manufacturer. 

 If difficulties of this character can be overcome or min- 

 imized, it would have a consequent effect on prices. 



It might be well to refer to the different kinds of woods 

 in use in the construction of built-up stock, referring more 

 particularly to the surface veneer, beginning with Amer- 

 ican walnut, which is known as sliced or rotary cut. 

 Sliced walnut is a straight cut through the log, which 

 sometimes produces a striped or mottled effect, while 

 rotary cut is produced on a veneer lathe, the log revolv- 

 ing, and the veneer cut from the outer surface. 



Oak, white or red, is quarter-sawed or sliced, and also 

 rotary cut. 



Mahogany is usually sliced, and bears either a mottled, 

 striped, or plain appearance. 



Quartered gum, sometimes called figured gum, is also 



•The aliovc paper on the orderinc of Imilt-up panels of veneer stock was 

 read liy L. P. OrotTinann of the St. Louis (Mo.) Basket and Box Company. 

 before the National Veneer and Panel Manufacturers' Association, Chicago, 

 June 12, 1917. 



sliced. In some cases the use of sap is permissible and 

 should be so noted. I am now referring to veneer gen- 

 erally used in the construction of furniture. 



The following woods are usually rotary cut, namely: 

 poplar, bird's eye and plain maple, birch, red or un- 

 selected for color, ash, elm, red gum and gum unselected 

 for color, basswood, cottonwood, sycamore and yellow 

 pine. This does not include such woods as fir, white 

 pine, bay poplar and others in which this association is 

 not vitally interested. 



We will next discuss grades: this is of paramount im- 

 portance in the fixing of values, for instance, where the 

 article is to be used for cheap furniture, and the grade 

 is not to be an important feature, which would enable the 

 manufacturer to make a price commensurate with the 

 quality of the panel. In other words, where operations 

 such as the jointing of cores or centers, drying out of 

 panels, smooth sanding, matching, etc., can be elim- 

 inated, the price of the stock will necessarily be lower. 



The next and most essential thing is to state for what 

 purpose the stock is to be used, namely, tops, fronts, side 

 panels, backs, bottoms, etc. If matching or center joints 

 are required, it should be so stated. 



The next factor is dimensions: the length is always 

 determined by the way the outer veneer runs, and the 

 width across the grain. By following this rule, errors will 

 be avoided. The exact thickness should also be given if 

 necessary. Some persons have an idea that the number 

 of ply indicates thickness. 



For the convenience of the customer, I would suggest 

 that he give catalog number for each item. In special 

 cases, as relates to butt or mitre joint, I would recom- 

 mend that the customer furnish a sketch or some sort 

 of diagram, showing just how the stock is to be con- 

 structed. 



The character of the veneer, especially as relates to 

 figured woods, such as mahogany and walnut, must be 

 clearly specified or samples submitted. 



Where the consumer does re-sanding, it should be 

 made known, so that the panel manufacturer can reserve 

 as much of the surface veneer as possible. This applies 

 especially to mahogany which "furs up" after it has been 

 stained. 



Built-up stock is made in the following thicknesses: 

 18", 316". 14". 5 16", 3 '8", 1/2". 5/8". 3/4", 

 7 8", 1", 1!4", l%", 11/2". There are also interme- 

 diate thicknesses, but the foregoing are standard. 



In panel work, that is to say, Ys" and less in thick- 

 ness, rotary cut stock is used for coring or centers. If a 

 lumber core is required in stock ^g" thick or over, it 

 should be so stated. For the best construction five-ply 

 is recommended, especially in panels %" or greater in 

 thickness. 



