Creating Classy Marquetry with Ancient or Modern Tools

A decorative art form, Marquetry has been around for a while now. Wood veneers are used to create a number of unique designs. Woods of different colors and textures are used to create these veneers.

The veneers are then fashioned into varying shapes and sizes. With these unique veneer slices, designs on the surfaces of wooden objects are then filled in. Jewelry boxes, wall paintings, curios and the like are the items largely done in Marquetry.

Despite the labor that goes into Marquetry, the final product is extremely satisfying. There are various tools used in Marquetry and they depend on the kind of wood you are using, the techniques and the size of the veneers you are utilizing. Tools of ancient times have evolved a great deal to make way for those that are more accurate.

First making its appearance in French workshops is the ‘Chevalet de Marqueterie’ or the Marquetry Donkey. Woodcraftsmen who worked with this tool could do some real fine precision cutting with it. This saw frame was hand operated and could give lines that were as fine as a 10th of a millimeter wide.

The Marquetry Donkey is still used in Ecole Boulle in Paris. Students are taught the French method of Marquetry with this. 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 great for large projects going up to 5 ft and 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 are basic tools and you can choose yours depending on the project you are working on.

A good one is the X-acto knife that has pencil-like looks and a knurled sleeve. You can build up your collection of knives with time and depending on the projects you work on.

A collection of blades is essential for beginners in Marquetry. Blade #11 is the basic one for when you get started. Sharpening stones will help you get them ready again when they go blunt.

Another option is to buy packets of blades in bulk and replace them as you use them. Cutting boards made of plywood are also essential. Another common option is beach plywood.

Pine and oak are, according to most artisans, too hard to be used. If you are working on pictorial Marquetry, a particle board is essential. Of late, the medium dense fiber (MDF) board is opted for.

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

This article was written by Ruth D’Souza Prabhu of MarqART Gift Shop. Our jewelry boxes feature evocative wood art designs, created from unique wood grain patterns and colors. A fine addition to your dressing table or as a gift. Please visit http://www.marqartgiftshop.com to browse & buy exotic marqart jewelry boxes that will give you a lifetime of pleasure!