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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
HOW PIANO MANUFACTURERS SHOULD GRADE VENEERS
Some General Rules to Be Observed in Selecting the Quality of Veneer for Good Work—The
Question of Defects—Producers Should Adhere to Certain Grade Standards
What constitutes a good grade of face veneer?
This question and the variations of opinion as
manifested in the practice of some veneer manu-
facturers have been the cause of frequent com-
plaint or dispute between producer and user.
That there is much room for improvement in
this direction, and that there is need for a clearer
understanding as to what veneers are to be de-
fined as a good grade of face stock, and what
defects, if any, are permissible, must be appar-
ent to all who are conversant with the veneer
situation as it is to-day.
While there are rules and regulations followed
to some extent as to the grading of veneer logs,
and as to what constitutes defects in same, and
also as to what defects are allowable under cer-
tain circumstances, there is no specific standard
of face veneers.
For some time past the prevailing custom fol-
lowed by a goodly majority of veneer pro-
ducers has been for each individual producer to
make his rules to suit himself—in other words,
to so grade his veneers as to get a larger per-
centage of face veneers out of logs than would
have really been possible where standard rules
of grading of face stock had been followed.
Now on the other hand the usual assumption-
of the veneer user when he orders face veneers
is that he will get veneers that are clear or
free from defects, while, as has often been ob-
served, a number of veneer producers will
knowingly allow such defects as shakes, rot
spots, worm holes, small pinhead knots, semi-
burl-knots, black spots, stained sap, or season
checks to pass for same. This has often in the
past led to many misunderstandings and some-
times to embarrassing situations. It would
seem, therefore, that the quicker some denned
regulation were adopted and strictly adhered to
in this regard, the sooner at least half of the
troubles and disappointments of both producer
and user would be at an end.
Now there may be some dispute as to whether
or not all of the imperfections named above are
in reality defects, but when the entire field of
veneer consumption is considered, each of them
will be found objectionable in face veneer of one
class or another. Of course, the man that con-
tracts for the entire contents of veneer in a log
knows well that rarely if ever all will be avail-
able for face stock and has no kick coming.
But the man who places an order for, say 50,000
feet or more of face veneers, cut to dimension
size, does expect—and figures accordingly—
that at the very least 95 per cent, of the dimen-
sion face stock lie ordered ought to make good
face veneer. But does he really get, say, on
an average of 90 per cent, of dimension stock
that will be usable for face stock? No, very
seldom, if ever, says the American Furniture
Manufacturer. He will find that about 75 per
cent, of the defective pieces had to be thrown
out on account of such defects as knots, stained
or black sap, rot spots, or worm holes, which
are all faults that nobody will tolerate in a
veneered product. If he does make complaint
to. the veneer manufacturer regarding the bad
grading and large percentage of defective pieces
in his shipment, the veneer manufacturer will
invariably reply, in a strict business tone, that
he particularly remembers this shipment, as he
had given the same his personal attention, and
| The Ohio Veneer Co. |
H
CINCINNATI, O.
I
H Importers and Manufacturers of Figured B
fH Mahogany and Foreign Woods for high- g
H| grade piano cases and cabinets.
§1
^™"^^"^™^V«u> York Office and Sample Room ===
Grand Central Palace Bldg.
Lexington Ave. and 46th St.
G. H. VAUGHAN, Eastern Representative
while one or two defective pieces may have
slipped in unintentionally, he strongly believes
that matters had been greatly exaggerated an!
that, considering the scarcity of the timber sup-
ply, Mr. Veneer Consumer ought to congratu-
late himself on having been able to secure as
good a grade of veneer as he did.
This is one reason why we read from time to
time of manufacturers who had started out from
the solid to make veneered products and who
swung back in line to the solid again. Let me
cite, for example, the circumstance that, say,
a veneered-door manufacturer finds himself in.
He may get a chance to bid, for instance, on 100
or 500 oak two-panel doors. Of course he will
naturally figure-the price of his core stock, the
price of his gluing and other labor, and the price
of the face stock required for the same. Let
us assume that he will require forty-two feet
of face stock for each door. At 2 cents per foot
this would be 84 cents per door. In this he
figures his 5 per cent, to allow for defects in
veneering, machining, etc., and an additional 5
per cent, for defects found in the veneer stock
itself. Now his bid may be accepted and he is
required to fill the order. According to his
estimates he will have a substantial profit left
even after he has allowed for his 5 per cent, for
defects in veneers and an additional 5 per cent,
in veneering and machining. But is it thus?
No, indeed. He finds that only about 60 to 75
per cent, of the face veneers were up to stand-
ard and the rest defective. He may be able to
use some of it for rail veneers or even for
crossbanding, but this incurs additional handling
and cutting, which reduces to the minimum the
little he figured on saving.
But where does this situation leave the door
manufacturer in the end? He will find that,
instead of his figuring 84 cents as the price for
veneer for each door, it has cost him anywhere
from $1.20 to $1.35, and this one item often is
enough to wipe out the entire profit which was
figured. It may even work out to a positive net
loss on the contract.
The only solution that suggests itself in this
matter is that each veneer producer state his
rules of grading of the particular veneer in
question on a label attached to the shipping-
crate, guaranteeing that the shipment will not
run above a certain percentage of defects speci-
fied on label. This, of course, is not to include
end checks, which may occur in shipping or
re-drying at the veneer user's plant.
If some such rule in this regard could be de-
cided on and generally adopted the veneer in-
dustry would be benefited in general. It would
give the plants purchasing veneers more of a
chance in competing with the larger firms who
have their own mills for cutting all veneer they
require in the manufacture of their products
and who would never think anyhow of patron-
izing the individual veneer industry in general.
And when you're satisfied
that we've the best punch-
ings on the market, cut
clean and accurately from
the best of material in cellu-
loid, cloth, felt, fibre,
leather, paper, rubber or
whatever you want, give
us credit and send your
orders to
C.F. G0EPEL*C0
137 E A S T I3 T -£ ST.
N E.W
YORK
practice of roughing the core? asks a
writer in Veneers. Doesn't this alone go
to prove that the glue has always ad-
hered pretty well to the face and was more apt
to pull loose from the core? Also, the face
stock is nearly always more or less wrinkled, so
that it is almost impossible to get an even
spread, and there is great danger of splitting
when running through the spreader. As far as
saving glue is concerned, I believe this method
will consume more glue than where it is applied
to the core.
In experiments extending over a period of
five years, I have found that by applying the
glue to core body, not only is one-third in time
saved, but in nearly every instance from 5 to
10 per cent, more perfect pieces are obtained.
The press'will not split the face stock as will
running through the spreader.
If you have been spreading the glue on one
side of your face veneers and laying them on
the core, by all means try using the spreader
on both sides of the core instead. It won't be
long before you will notice a decided improve-
ment, with less peeling, blistering and splitting
and a marked reduction in your gluing expense.
GRAND RAPIDS CO. BUSY
The Grand Rapids Veneer Co. is enjoying the
busiest year in its history, according to Z. Clark
Thwing. The revival in the furniture and music
trade is responsible for the greatly increased
business which the concern is doing.
Hubert Tanner, proprietor of .a music store
in Plymouth, Ind., has moved to the Metsker
Block.
HOW SHOULD GLUE BE APPLIED
Different Methods of Gluing Veneer Discussed
—The Best Way Explained
There has been some discussion in plants
where the glue-spreader is used, as to whether it
is the best practice to run the core through the
spreader, gluing both sides at the same time
and laying the face veneers on, or to spread the
glue on one side of the face veneers and lay
them on the core.
Some claim that the glue gets a better grip
and a more uniform spread when it is applied
to only one side of the face stock, that less glue
is required and that there is less danger of
blisters, while others believe that gluing both
sides of the core by running once through the
spreader will eliminate half the work required
by the other method and produce just as good
results.
If it is good logic that the glue gets a better
hold when applied to the face stock, why the
BRANCH OFFICES:
Chicago
160 No. Fifth Are.
Invisible M
Hinges
are Apparent
Some of the sizes shown indicate the
variety of ''SOSS" Hinges which we
manufacture for use on pianos, player
pianos, talking machines and music
cabinets.
There is a particular " SOSS" Hinge
best suited for your requirements.
Our illustrated catalog " S " gives
complete and interesting information
four particular requirements.
Soft Manufacturing Company,
435-443 Atlantic Ave., Brooklyn, N. Y.
San Francicc*
164 Hanrford Bldf.
Lot Anf elei
224 Central Bid*.
Minneapolis
3416SecondAve.,So.
Detroit
922 David Whitney
Boildinr