A machine (1) for cutting veneers from logs for producing wood strips, with high structural simplicity comprising a supporting structure (2) and a pair of mutually opposite spindles (6a, 6b), which are coaxial one another and are supported, so that they can rotate about the common axis (7), by the supporting structure (2), the machine further comprising first means (8a, 8b) for the actuation of the pair of spindles (6a, 6b) with a rotary motion about the common axis (7), the spindles being further movable on command toward or away from each other in order to engage or disengage the opposite axial ends of a log to be sliced, the first actuation means comprising an electric motor (8a, 8b) for each spindle (6a, 6b), which is connected directly by means of its driving shaft (9a, 9b) to the corresponding spindle (6a, 6b), and electronic means being provided for controlling the electric motors for the actuation of the spindles, for their synchronized actuation.