Q.
Please advise me how to steam 31 and 55 mm European beech boards, edged and unedged. Should steam with or without stickers, and for how long a time? What will assure color uniformity?
We have steam available that is between 102-103 degrees Celsius.
Q.
Is it absolutely necessary to steam or heat beech veneer logs before peeling? We wish to peel logs without taking this step. What are the pitfalls if we do so?
A.
If you do not steam beech logs before veneering, then you will have an exceptionally rough surface that adjustments of the pressure bar (or nose bar) will not fix. You will also have quite a variation in thickness.
Gene Wengert, forum moderator
A.
The steaming treatment must be done directly after sawing. Under no circumstances may the moisture content be below the fiber saturation point, approximately 36-35% for European beech, anywhere in the wood, or the color will be uneven.
The standard practice is to use saturated low-pressure steam at 95-100°C and heat up the lumber to approximately 95°C, and keep it there for 6-7 hours for 4/4 (25mm) and 12-14 h for 8/4 (50mm) lumber. To get a richer color, just increase the time of the treatment. The lumber must be on stickers to ensure an even color, and must be kiln dried or treated against mold directly after steaming or it will be attacked by mold in a day or two.
A.
You need a paid consultant for information this specific. However, the U.S. Forest Products Lab had a book (by John Lutz, I believe) called Cutting and Drying Veneer (or similar title). Contact the Lab library at library@fs.fed.us
Gene
