Abstract: A veneer lathe for peeling a log has a knife carriage and a mechanism for moving the carriage towards and away from the log. There is an electric motor for moving the carriage towards the log at a rate of speed related to the rotational speed of the log so as to peel a required thickness of veneer and a clutch for coupling the electric motor to the mechanism or disengaging the electric motor from the mechanism. A hydraulic motor is connected to the mechanism for rapidly advancing the carriage towards the log or retracting the carriage from the log. A by-pass valve permits free rotation of the hydraulic motor when the clutch is engaged.

Abstract: There is described a wood shearing machine, for the production of veneers, characterized in that it has the table supporting the wood stock to be cut, as well as the slideways upon which said table slides is inclined at an angle .alpha. to the vertical and consequently the bar-carrying unit and the blade-holding unit, which are perpendicular to the former, are inclined at an angle .alpha.' to the horizontal; the two angles .alpha. and .alpha.' being obviously equal to each other, the arrangement being such so as to ensure with the same speed lower stresses and increased speeds than with vertical wood shearing machines.