by Professor Gene Wengert

Q.
Is there an easy way to flatten flitch stock veneer before hot pressing to minimize cracking? If so please explain.

A.
I believe that what you are referring to is called buckle. To remove the buckle without cracking the veneer is difficult, as the reason the buckle is often due to a veneer peeling problem, can be caused because the wood shrank unevenly during drying, can be a result of uneven final MC. I would guess that most often, uneven MC is the culprit. In any case, the cure for buckle is in the drying process, not at the point you are ready to glue it. (So, putting pressure on your supplier is the ultimate cure--buckle is not inevitable.)

You can make veneer more flexible by increasing its MC. (Which means that over-dried pieces have a high likelihood of cracking, which are also the pieces that will have the most buckle.) If you increase the MC slightly (but not above acceptable limits for the product that you are making) and then press the veneer flat, using a little heat even, you can flatten it a little--but this is a lot of effort to correct a manufacturing flaw.

Professor Gene Wengert is Extension Specialist in Wood Processing at the Department of Forestry, University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Click on Wood Doctor Archives to peruse past answers.

If you would like to obtain a copy of "The Wood Doctor's Rx", visit the Wood Education and Resource Center Web site for more information.

Have you reviewed the related Knowledge Base areas below?

KnowledgeBase: Veneer: Processing And Manufacturing

KnowledgeBase: Veneer: Techniques

KnowledgeBase: Wood Engineering: Wood Properties

KnowledgeBase: Knowledge Base



Would you like to add information to this article? ... Click Here

If you have a question regarding a Knowledge Base article, your best chance at uncovering an answer is to search the entire Knowledge Base for related articles or to post your question at the appropriate WOODWEB Forum. Before posting your message, be sure to review our Forum Guidelines.

Questions entered in the Knowledge Base Article comment form will not generate responses! A list of WOODWEB Forums can be found at WOODWEB's Site Map.

When you post your question at the Forum, be sure to include references to the Knowledge Base article that inspired your question. The more information you provide with your question, the better your chances are of receiving responses.

Return to beginning of article.

Refer a Friend || Read This Important Information || Site Map || Privacy Policy Letters, questions or comments? E-Mail us and let us know what you think. Be sure to review our Frequently Asked Questions page. Contact us to discuss advertising or to report problems with this site. To report a problem, send an e-mail to our Webmaster Copyright © 1996-2008 - WOODWEB ® Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any manner without permission of the Editor. Review WOODWEB's Copyright Policy. The editors, writers, and staff at WOODWEB try to promote safe practices. What is safe for one woodworker under certain conditions may not be safe for others in different circumstances. Readers should undertake the use of materials and methods discussed at WOODWEB after considerate evaluation, and at their own risk. WOODWEB, Inc. RR4 Box 265A Montrose, PA 18801 Contact WOODWEB