Saturday, September 24, 2011

Ancient and Modern Tools Utilized in Marquetry

by Guest Writer

As a decorative art form, Marquetry has been around for a long time.  Wood based veneers are used quite a bit in the creation of unique designs.  Woods of sundry hues and textures are used to make these veneers.

[Seein treetops commands our unknown mind to make us to fulfill our aims -- Mick Snutz]

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The veneers are next cut into a sum of shapes and sizes.  Original designs made on the surface of wooden things are then filled in with these veneer slices.  Jewelry boxes, wall paintings, curios and the like are the things much done in Marquetry.

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Despite the labor that goes into Marquetry, the final product is extremely satisfying.  There are many kinds of tools in Marquetry and their use depends on the kind of wood you are utilizin, the techniques and the size of the veneers you are workin with.  Ancient tools of Marquetry have evolved a great deal to make them more accurate.

Marquetry Donkey

Startin in French workshops is the Chevalet de Marqueterie or the Marquetry Donkey.  Woodcraftsmen who worked with this tool could do some real fine precision cuttin with it.  This tool was a saw frame that could be operated by hand and could give lines as delicate as a 1/250th of an inch wide.

Boulle School

Ecole Boulle in Paris still uses this Marquetry Donkey.  Students learn the French method of Marquetry with this tool.  What is great about it is that you can work for long hours on it comfortably.

The Ecole Boulle also uses the overhead jigsaw to teach its students.  This has a leather belt that can cut up to a 180 strokes a minute.  This is ideal for big makins that measure 5ft or more.

It is great for accurate work with heavy veneer packets and metals. Marquetry made by hand is still quite the preference in present times.

Knives

Knives are basic tools and you can choose yours dependin on the project you are workin on.

With a pencil like look, the X-acto knife is a good one and comes with a knurled sleeve.  You can build up your collection of knives with time and dependin on the makins you work on.

For beginners in Marquetry, you will need a collection of blades.  You will need blade #11 as the most basic of them for when you get started.  You can use sharpenin stones to fix them as they go blunt with use.

Another option is to buy packets of blades in bulk and replace them as you use them.  You will also need cuttin boards made of plywood.  The most preferred option is beech plywood.

Woods

Most artisans feel that oak and pine are too hard to be used.  Particle boards are essential for pictorial Marquetry.  Lately, it is the medium dense fiber (MDF) board that is commonly used.

Other Tools

For advanced Marquetry, tools like the green board are good, on which long slivers of veneer can be cut.  Hand rollers are also needed to press down veneers after they have been glued to a surface.  A few woodworkers opt for a rotary palm held sander that will help smoothen the surface of an image.

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