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GlossaryWalnut
Veneer Specification
Description
Considered the "King of the American Hardwoods", Black Walnut is highly valued for it's rich, dark brown color and straight uniform grain. The species is highly desired for use in custom furniture, cabinetry, architectural millwork and mouldings. Veneer is sourced mainly from heartwood which typically exhibits multiple shades of brown across the flitch. Heartwood can range from pale reddish brown to a dark chocolate brown color. In contrast, sapwood colors range from greyish white to pale light tan. The transition from sapwood to heartwood is nearly abrupt. The visually distinctive sapwood is not highly desired. Slow re-generative growth and diminished natural supplies reduces the availability of heartwood veneer with limited natural characteristics. The grain of Black Walnut is diffused, and will range in colors slightly darker than the veneer flitch. When plain sliced the resulting grain pattern is mainly straight but, may transition to cathedral or irregular shapes and widths. A resinous deposit may occur in association with pattern transitions and appear as a visible sheen within the grain. Black Walnut is semi-ring porous and will exhibit very fine, naturally occurring slits, (rays), visible in the surface of the veneer. These rays are oriented with the grain and contributes to a slightly coarse surface texture. The appearance of solid colors, figuring and non-blended natural characteristics diminish the desired visual appearance and are limited in size and occurrence. Black Walnut will darken in color with exposure to light. Underlying reddish hues provides natural warmth and luster when the veneer is sealed with a clear finish.
Woodport Grade
Select. Uniformity Density = 2.0/Square Foot.
Black Walnut shall be made up of mainly heartwood veneer. The use of sapwood veneer is allowed, but shall not exceed 15% of the total surface area. Veneer flitch shall be generally medium to dark brown in color. Slight occurrence of pale reddish brown, purple, grey or off-white overtones. Must not be dominate flitch color. No extreme red to dark brown color variations. Grain patterns may range from straight to irregular but, must be oriented with the length of the component. Grain color shall be diffused, with colors slightly darker than the veneer flitch. Solid dark brown and black grain colors are not allowed. Components manufactured using multiple veneer flitches shall closely match in color and grain pattern. Naturally occurring solid colored, reddish brown surface slits, (rays) to 1/42" in width, (fine pencil line), are allowed. Natural characteristics detract from the desired appearance and shall be limited in size and occurrence. Open knot holes, voids, bark pockets, worm holes and other inclusion shall be repaired as specified. No curly figuring or cross directional grain fleck is allowed. Desire natural characteristics to blend with the veneer flitch color. Dark brown and black colored knots and centers are allowed as specified. All natural characteristics shall appear random, not patterned across the surface of the finished component. Excessive adhesive and resinous deposits shall be removed from the surface of the finished component.
Not Allowed
- Checks / Cracks / Splits
- Ruptured Shake
- Doze / Dry Rot
- Worm Tracks (voids)
- Solid Black Grain Color
- Solid Brown Grain Color
- Cross Grain Fleck (figuring)
- Curly (figuring)
- Heavy Knife Marks
- Heavy Machine Marks
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Allowed
Knife / Machining Marks:
Shallow surface imperfections in veneer flitch which may be removed through light surface sanding are allowable.
Blended:
Small conspicuous burls, circular displacements and grain swirls are allowable up to a maximum of 5/8" diameter. Must be sound/tight, (no voids). All figures to blend with the natural veneer flitch color and be no darker than the grain color. Figures which are very dark brown or black in color are not acceptable. No figure to produce a shimmered veneer surface texture. Figuring not highly desired in this grade. Maximum number per finished component size as follows:
| Number Allowable | Panels | Stiles & Rails |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | Widths up to 13" | Lengths up to 24" |
| 1 | Widths 14" - 24" | Lengths 25" - 81" |
| 2 | Widths 25" and up | Lengths 82" and up |
Knots:
All knots must be sound/tight and closed, (no voids) after repair. Desire knots to blend with natural veneer. Dark brown and black colored knots and centers are allowed. Knots significantly detract from the appearance desired in this grade. Minimal number of knots desired. Must not be tightly grouped or patterned. Maximum allowable per grouping as stated.
Knots, Pin:
Maximum of 1/8" diameter. Dark brown or black solid colors and centers allowed.
| Number Allowable | Panels | Stiles & Rails |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Widths up to 7" | Lengths up to 12" |
| 2 | Widths 8" - 13" | Lengths 13" - 45" |
| 3 | Widths 14" - 24" | Lengths 46" - 81" |
| 4 | Widths 25" and Up | Lengths 82" and Up |
Knots, Sounds/Tight:
Maximum of 3/8" diameter. Desire knots to blend with the veneer color. Dark brown and black colored knots/centers are allowed. Open voids to 1/4" shall be repaired with Zar brand putty, color Black Walnut. Repair shall be surface sanded per Woodport Operating Procedure OP-1703, Orbital Sander Operation. Must be sound/tight and closed,(no voids), after repair. Must not be tightly grouped or patterned.
| Number Allowable | Panels | Stiles & Rails |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | Widths up to 13" | Lengths up to 24" |
| 1 | Widths 14" - 24" | Lengths 25" - 81" |
| 2 | Widths 25" and Up | Lengths 82" and Up |
Knots, Cluster
Maximum of 5/8" diameter across the overall grouping. Clusters with up to (3) knots are allowed. Knot clusters are not a highly desired characteristic and should be minimized. Knot clusters shall not include any open, repaired knots. Knot clusters must not be tightly grouped or patterned across the surface of the finished component.
| Number Allowable | Panels | Stiles & Rails |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | Widths up to 13" | Lengths up to 12" |
| 1 | Widths 14" and Up | Lengths 13" and Up |
Small Voids (Repairable):
Small voids in the veneer stemming from bark pockets, honeycomb, ruptured grain, worm holes, pith and pin knots where core materials are not exposed are allowable. Voids greater than 1/32", (heavy pencil line), must be repaired with Zar brand putty, color, Black Walnut. Repair shall be surfaced sanded with an orbital sander per Woodport Operating Procedure OP-1703. Must be sound/tight and closed, (no voids), after repair. Voids may not exceed 1/16" in width or 3/4" in overall length. Minimal number of repaired voids desired. Maximum number per finished component as follows:
| Number Allowable | Panels | Stiles & Rails |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | Widths up to 7" | Lengths up to 12" |
| 3 | Widths 8" - 13" | Lengths 13" - 45" |
| 4 | Widths 14" - 24" | Lengths 46" - 81" |
| 5 | Widths 25" and Up | Lengths 82" and Up |
Glue/Adhesive Wicking:
Occasional glue/adhesive wicking occurs with Black Walnut due to its porous veneer structure. Appears as medium brown irregular shaped spots or lines. Adhesive will have a noticeable glossy appearance and smooth surface texture. Typically oriented with the grain of the veneer. Must be completely sanded from the surface of veneer per Woodport Operating Procedure OP-1703, Orbital Sander Operation. Care must be taken to not sand through the veneer flitch. Small, pin size deposits of adhesive remaining in knots and pores after sanding are allowed.
Resinous Deposits:
On occasion, resinous deposits appear on the surface of Black Walnut. Resinous material will closely follow the grain of the veneer. Typically will be associated with grain pattern changes. Appears as glossy sheen on the veneer surface. Must be completely sanded from surface of veneer per Woodport Operating Procedure OP-1703, Orbital Sander Operation.
Veneer Splicing
Veneer shall be spliced to provide a pleasing to the eye appearance. Veneer shall be composed of Heartwood flitches selected to best match color and grain pattern. Veneer with Benin vertical figuring shall be book matched spliced. All veneer shall be spliced so as not to create a unnatural or stark contrast of color, grain or figure. Veneer grain shall be oriented vertically with length of component. Flitches shall not be trimmed or spliced through a figure, knot or stain greater than 1/16" in width.
Veneer Flitch Sizing
Minimum Flitch Width Allowed: 5"
Widths up to 7": No splice allowed
Widths 8" - 13": One splice allowed, centered to overall sheet width. Trim final veneer sheet from both sides to provide flitches of nearly equal width, (+/- 1/4"), and balanced finished appearance.
Widths 14" and Up: Minimum 5" flitch width. Not to exceed 5 total flitches per finished veneer sheet. Individual veneer flitches shall be nearly equal in width, (+/- 1/4"), to provide a balanced appearance.
Veneer Glue Line
Glue line shall be continuous, structurally sound with no separation or voids between flitches. Glue line must not be visible after finish sanding. Minimize excess adhesive on surfaces of veneer flitch and finished component.
| Veneer Specifications: | Panel | Stiles & Rails | Flat |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade (HPVA): | Veneer Grade A/B | Veneer Grade A/B | Veneer Grade B |
| Thickness: | 1/42" or (0.0238") | 1/24" or (0.0417") | 1/42" of (0.0238") |
| Thickness Tolerance: | +/- (.005") | +/- (.005") | +/- (.007") |
| Moisture Content: | 5 - 10% | 5 - 10% | 5 - 10% |
| Spliced Width Tolerance: | +/- (1/16") | +/- (1/16") | +/- (1/16") |
| Length Tolerance: | +/- (1/16") | +/- (1/16") | +/- (1/16") |
| Cutting Method: | Plain Sliced | Plain Sliced | Plain Sliced |