All you have to do is set your mouth opening to the desired thickness and plane out whole boards to that set thickness. Just awesome! No need for a tablesaw, jointer, and thickness planer. You'd be set!! 😄 🙄
After just completing some frustrating veneer work I thought about purchasing a veneer making tool. However after chatting with The Myth Busters team of Jamie Hyneman and Adam Savage, they informed me it was in fact a myth and supplied the following information to assist me in making home veneer.
Types of veneer peeling machines
A veneer peeling machine is used in the wood processing industry to produce veneers for plywood manufacturing and other applications. Different types of veneer peeling machines include:
Rotary peeling machine:
A rotary veneer peeling machine spins the log on its axis against a stationary blade. This type of veneer peeling machine produces wide sheets of veneer with consistent thickness. Rotary-peeled veneers are commonly used for making plywood and laminate products.
Slicing peeling machine:
In a slicing veneer peeling machine, the log is pushed in and out manually or through automation to cut veneers. Unlike rotary peeling, the veneers produced by a slicing machine have distinct patterns. Sliced veneers are often used for high-end plywood, furniture, and architectural applications.
Quartering peeling machine:
A quartering veneer peeling machine involves turning the log at a right angle to its axis. It cuts through the growth rings of the tree. This method highlights straight-line patterns and is typically employed to produce straight-grain veneers for premium plywood, cabinetry, and decorative surfaces.
Blowout peeling machine:
In a blowout veneer peeling machine, the log is rotated and fed into the machine at the same time. This method is adopted to produce large sheets of veneer that may have some defects or interruptions in the grain pattern.
Specification and Maintenance of Veneer Peeling Machines
A veneer wood peeling machine has many specifications depending on the model. Here are the main machine parts and their specifications.
Log carriage: The log carriage moves and holds the wood for peeling. Its width varies from 800 to 1800 mm. The length varies from 3500 to 6000 mm. The log diameter also varies between 300 and 600 mm.
Peeling spindle and cutter: The spindle has a length of 3500 to 6000 mm. Its diameter is about 100 mm. The speed of the spindle varies from 700 to 1000 RPM. The cutting blade is 3 mm wide, and it cuts wood of different thicknesses from 0.5 to 3 mm.
Core discharge device: It ejects the wood core after peeling is done. The device length varies from 3500 to 6000 mm.
Veneer pickup device: This device picks up the veneer after peeling. It has a length of about 3000 mm.
Veneer conveyer: The conveyer delivers the veneer to the next process. Its length varies from 3000 to 7000 mm. The breadth is about 800 mm. The conveyer speed is about 60 m/min.
Hydraulic system: It powers the machine. The system has an oil tank with a capacity of 1000 to 5000 liters. The working pressure is about 16 MPa.
Electrics: The machine has a 15 HP motor. It may have a touch screen and PLC for controlling different functions. The operating voltage is 220/380 V.
Maintenance
For longevity and efficient performance, it is critical to maintain the veneer peeling machine. Here are some maintenance tips:
Perform daily inspections on the machine. Look for loose parts, signs of damage, or abnormal noise.
Lubricate moving parts to minimize friction and reduce wear. Apply grease to bearings, rollers, and chains.
Clean the machine regularly to remove wood residues, dust, debris, and dirt. Use high-pressure water to clean the peeling drum.
Maintain proper alignment and balance of the peeling drum and spindle to prevent vibrations and reduce fast wear.
Maintain the correct blade tension to ensure even peeling and a smooth finish.
Perform regular replacement of oil filters and hydraulic fluids in the hydraulic system.
Train operators on proper veneer peeling machine operation. Mishandling can cause damage to the machine.
Scenarios of a veneer peeling machine
Sliced veneers are found everywhere in the furniture, construction, and interior decoration industries, indicating that veneer peeling machines are playing crucial roles in these sectors. In the following, three primary usage scenarios of veneer peeling machines will be elaborated on.
Manufacture of Plywood
Despite many uses and applications of veneers, plywood manufacturing remains the most popular purpose of these thin wood sheets. They are a significant raw material for a wide range of products, such as furniture, decorative panels, engineered flooring, and more.
Furniture Production
Furniture such as tables, chairs, cabinets, and beds often use sliced veneers as surface materials. Applying plywood not only improves the aesthetic appeal of furniture but also makes cost-effective alternatives to solid wood.
Architectural & Interior Design
Veneered boards are applied to many architectural and interior design projects. They are used to create striking wall panels, ceilings, door skins, and other architectural elements. Besides, sliced veneers can also be utilized in the jewelry design industry, where they serve as materials for unique jewelry pieces, such as necklaces, earrings, and bracelets.
How to choose veneer peeling machines
When selecting veneer peeling machines for sale, several factors should be considered. A market analysis is important to know what niche is out there and what target customers will demand. The types of veneer peeling machines available should be considered. Are they lathe-type machines for peeling plywood sheets, small rotary lathes, or spindle-less veneer peeling machines? Understand how the machines work to know precisely what they can offer. Customers will demand efficiency and high output. Check the machine’s efficiency factor and the number of veneer sheets it can produce within a specific time. Besides efficiency and production capacity, customers will look at the area the machine will occupy. Is it a benchtop machine or one with a full-fledged industrial setup? The space the machine will occupy may affect the customer’s purchasing decision.
Consider the machine’s automation features and how easy they are to operate. The feeding mechanism and moisture content requirement for the wood will also come into play. If the customer base leans more toward energy efficiency, look for veneer machines that work with low power requirements and can be effectively used with alternative energy sources like solar.
It is important to find suppliers who can provide further details about the peeling machine. Is there support for installation, warranty, and maintenance services? Spare parts availability and timely delivery of those parts are crucial from a maintenance point of view.Â
So sadly Mr Rick I am going to call your post of being able to make veneer by pushing a jack plane no matter how big it is to be Taurus ExteitusÂ
James McIntyre It was funny 😄 Mr Rick. I was wondering why Bench Dog would risk its reputation with that guy loose running around with all his shenanigans?
Good point. Beats me! Bench Dog is more into router accessories and the like and only makes a few hand planes. They are made in India. I understand the planes are poor quality.Â
OMG your right So that's all my research wasted. Thanks for educating me, I was just about to go rush out and buy one too. I am skeptical it can punch out 3/4"boards even more! But I will leave it for others, I made enough mistakes today
