Thanks for the reply and info, I suppose it must be just practise and technique then for the veneers but I'll search for ones online like you've mentioned so I've got some to use while I get myself better at doing these.
I was actually cutting slices relatively well from a rolling pin of all things, but I forget which saw I did it with, maybe the tablesaw.
The bandsaw, despite replacing the guides with bearings and fitting a much deeper blade etc, still doesn't quite cut straight, so I can see frustration down that route. One thing that might do it consistently and with little effort would be with my metal cutting bandsaw (i.e. the type with an arm that drops/cuts under its own weight.
The blade isn't the right thing for wood but I think I have one that might do, so I might try that.
I will have a look on timberbits website thanks - not heard of them but will go look.
Appreciate the input thanks! :)