BENDING VENEER

Evening Star, Issue 23351, 22 August 1939, Page 3

BENDING VENEER

HEW DUNEDIN PROCESS EXPERIMENTS LEAD TO SUCCESS POSSIBLE EFFECT ON CABINET MAKING INDUSTRY Involving the use of veneer, a new process has been invented by a Dunedin craftsman as the result of years of patient experimenting. It is based on similar treatment of veneer in other countries, the difference being that certain machinery adapted by him enables the thin slices of wood to be bent with facility. Further, he has managed to introduce a rare quality of artistry into his work by taking full advantage of the lovely patterns that are such a feature of veneering, and achieving a graceful symmetry by using the strips m sections. “ Cornice ” was shown a cabinet faced with veneer, and for beauty alone it surpassed any similar piece of furniture, besides pointing out as an example the commercial possibilities of the process, as labour costs will be minimised and timber requirements reduced considerably.

NO STEAM USED

Imported slice veneer packs one portion of his factory, and comes from as near as Southland and as far away as America. There are veneers of French walnut, American, English, and Australian oaks, Southland heech, and Queensland maple, which is recognised as among the prettiest timber in the world. Incidentally, it is a, rather lamentable fact that there is not a plant in the Dominion able to manufacture veneer, for in this country there is an abundance of trees that are peculiarly suited because of the individuality of their figure for being transformed into these thin strips. This manufacturer commences his process by taking laminated board—which is formed from slices of timber and has a core varying from 1.60 mto 1.28 in. Then the fancy veneer is applied, and the method succeeds in obtaining a bend that simplifies the construction of practically any furniture, be it a complete suite, rails for covering battens, or architraves. Further, it is claimed (and substantiated) that the veneer is not affected by climatic conditions, and once bent to shape in special moulds it will not << lift ” or warp. Depending on the type of timber, various pressures are exerted on the veneer after it is placed in a steel press, but the usual one is about 2001 bto the square inch. The laminated panels to which the veneer is applied arc taken out of the press and allowed to dry—for the veneer is affixed with casein gjluo, and not with the ordinary glue as is usually the practice. After it has been dressed up and cleaned the material is ready to be fashioned into furniture by the cabinetmaker. POSSIBLE NEW INDUSTRY. Though in this country wireless cabinets are manufactured from veneer that is bent, tho method employed is, rather crude, and in addition does not ensure altogether satisfactory results. Tho slice cutting of veneer is an, interesting process, and was studied deeply by this craftsman during a recent visit to Australia. The logs are first of all steamed, cut into sections, and then chocked into the sheer. When the veneer emerges it is steaming, and it has to be dried thoroughly. Southland beech has a ready market in Australia and in England for veneer purposes, and the idea of commencing a factory in the Dominion is one that is commended to the Department of Industries and Commerce, for there is no reason why our timber resources should be exploited by overseas interests, especially when it is considered that the product is imported into the country again. Many of tho finest Southland beech timber is being picked by experts representing Australian _ and English veneer factories and shipped overseas. It is considered by authorities that New Zealand’s native' trees are unrivalled for transformation into these thin strips, as their figure is unmatched in beauty.