100 



FOREST PRODUCTS 



first steamed for a few hours and then soaked in hot water for about 

 twelve hours before slicing. The question of the best preliminary method 

 to be followed in softening the fibers for slicing is still an open one. 



The present slicer in common use is a very ingenious mechanical 

 device and has been evolved as a result of much experimentation. Sev- 

 eral different types are on the market but the same general principle 

 is followed in all. The accompanying illustration shows the general 

 features of the machine. The flitches are fastened against the dog plate in 

 a heavily constructed steel stay log, by means of screw dogs placed at 



Fig. 19. — A veneer-slicing machine in operation, cutting Circassian walnut veneers. Note 

 the veneer flitch fastened above. This is dropped vertically against a sharp knife. The 

 men are engaged in piling the sliced veneers as they emerge at the base of the machine. 



intervals of about i ft. The dogs hold the flitch in place both on the top 

 and bottom. In slicing, the flitch is moved downward against a station- 

 ary knife which slices off a veneer of the desired thickness at each stroke. 

 When the flitch moves upward, the knife automatically recedes suffi- 

 ciently to clear the upward motion and then advances in a position to 

 slice another sheet. Thus the flitch moves upward and downward in 

 the same vertical plane, the knife being moved forward and backward 

 at each stroke to cut each new shce until the flitch is largely used up. 



