Veneer.
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In my woodworking days, I didn't do much with veneers. Only some inlays and stuff like that.
Remember, premium plywood, like the working surface of the desk I'm sitting at now, is simply a veneer of a premium species over a core of cheaper woods. Back in the day, a 4 X 8 sheet of walnut plywood would be north of $100. I shudder to think of what it costs now.
But, here's how veneer is manufactured.
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This looks like a piece of oak veneer being made.
Link to video -
Wife's uncle worked at a veneer mill for forty years. I've helped them cut many oak cores to length on a buzz saw for firewood, to help heat different family member's homes.
Never thought of it before, but those cores would be great to re-saw. I don't know if they sold any for other uses.
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Side note...
The U.S. used to produce a lot of furniture, mostly from Indiana and later in North Carolina. Some of it was cheap, some was good and some was very good.
But even the very good stuff like Drexel, Kincaid, Rock City, etc., was affordable for what it was.
Now, most everything is made in China and it's crap. There is still good stuff in the market, but it's priced beyond the budget of Joe Sixpack.
