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63K views 227 replies 37 participants last post by  Patricelejeune 
#1 ·
Cutting Paper and preparing Marquetry Packs

Some of new have seen our new project on other posts. We had a pretty good success with our first series, the 4 copies were sold in a year.

We are going to revisit this box sold at Christie's if my memory is good.
The picture quality is not great, but we enjoyed the composition and decided to use it as a ground for our new design.

Brown Rectangle Wood Box Art


Bird Wood Wood stain Beak Rectangle


The design has been finished for couple weeks now, and for the past couple days we have been working on preparing for marquetry cutting.

As I am using piece by piece technique in order to end up with 4 copies, after the drawing are completed I start cutting each individual piece on paper, as pattern for cutting.

Hand Finger Creative arts Art Line


Each cut pieces are placed according to position on a tray

Property Azure Rectangle Wood Window


And each tray is dedicated to a panel for the box

Wood Rectangle Font Wood stain Line


The top part is a little too complicated and too big to set in one tray

Rectangle Wood Art Pattern Font


So I divided it in 3 trays, the inside cartouche with the bird

Blue Azure Font Rectangle Art


The oval scrolls and acanthus

World Plant Building Wood Rectangle


Then the corners that i need to cut

Azure World Wood Rectangle Paint


When I am done cutting those las papers, I will start cutting real marquetry, as Patrick Edwards in the meantime has been preparing the palette of color, with sawn veneers.

Table Wood Textile Art Artist


The first picture to cut is the inside panel so Patrick can start building the box

Handwriting Plant Twig Font Tree


The numbers are the chosen veneers positions, and the paper patterns are glued on those packs

Table Wood Font Line Flooring


The packs are secured by riveting nails in between pieces

Brown Wood Art Table Flooring


Lets go cut something!!!!!

Cheers
 

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#121 ·
Cutting bone

For those who follow this thread, you know we have been struggling on dying bone.

We may have found the solution, at least one of them.

Here is a test piece that seems to be dyed all the way through

Table Wood Plant Tape measure Wood stain


Wood Slope Rectangle Wood stain Grass


To help the dye to penetrate all the way through the bone I decided to dye the pieces already cut. I had my papers already prepared from the start waiting for the solution

Wood Natural material Event Metal Fashion accessory


Plant Azure Wood Rectangle Tree


The intended green bone pieces were highlighted in green (of course) on the drawing.

Rectangle Azure Textile Creative arts Art


I cut in 4 layers the bone like the rest of the marquetries with a mask on to not breath the dust and slowly, very slowly, with a lot of blades

Wood Textile Creative arts Wood stain Flooring


I had to select the bone veneers which had roughly the same shape to avoid voids and holes to make my packs.

Wood Rectangle Line Font Flooring


The bone are identified with a letter, L for left panel B for back, T for top etc… That way it is easier to find where they go.

Food Ingredient Wood Cuisine Font


Plant Rectangle Leaf Lighting Wood


Textile Petal Material property Font Pattern


Even being carefull I had some recut to do, some because the blades dulled to much in the middle of cutting a piece resulting in horribly cut pieces, and some because there were defects in one or more of the bone layer

Mushroom Natural landscape Ingredient Electric blue Fungus


Cut and recut until all the green spots are covered.

Rectangle Textile Creative arts Art Aqua


Rectangle Creative arts Art Pattern Font


Rectangle Paint Wood Art Creative arts


The good thing is that those messed up pieces of bones are now used to sample the colors.

Food Table Ingredient Drink Drinkware


Next time, hopefully, I will have some green bone inlaid marquetry to show!!

Thank you for following!
 

Attachments

#122 ·
Cutting bone

For those who follow this thread, you know we have been struggling on dying bone.

We may have found the solution, at least one of them.

Here is a test piece that seems to be dyed all the way through

Table Wood Plant Tape measure Wood stain


Wood Slope Rectangle Wood stain Grass


To help the dye to penetrate all the way through the bone I decided to dye the pieces already cut. I had my papers already prepared from the start waiting for the solution

Wood Natural material Event Metal Fashion accessory


Plant Azure Wood Rectangle Tree


The intended green bone pieces were highlighted in green (of course) on the drawing.

Rectangle Azure Textile Creative arts Art


I cut in 4 layers the bone like the rest of the marquetries with a mask on to not breath the dust and slowly, very slowly, with a lot of blades

Wood Textile Creative arts Wood stain Flooring


I had to select the bone veneers which had roughly the same shape to avoid voids and holes to make my packs.

Wood Rectangle Line Font Flooring


The bone are identified with a letter, L for left panel B for back, T for top etc… That way it is easier to find where they go.

Food Ingredient Wood Cuisine Font


Plant Rectangle Leaf Lighting Wood


Textile Petal Material property Font Pattern


Even being carefull I had some recut to do, some because the blades dulled to much in the middle of cutting a piece resulting in horribly cut pieces, and some because there were defects in one or more of the bone layer

Mushroom Natural landscape Ingredient Electric blue Fungus


Cut and recut until all the green spots are covered.

Rectangle Textile Creative arts Art Aqua


Rectangle Creative arts Art Pattern Font


Rectangle Paint Wood Art Creative arts


The good thing is that those messed up pieces of bones are now used to sample the colors.

Food Table Ingredient Drink Drinkware


Next time, hopefully, I will have some green bone inlaid marquetry to show!!

Thank you for following!
Looks like progress.
What is the dye you are using and is it available in the "New World"? Same question on the bone, although I think I know where to get that. I'd like to try some of this but the cutting sounds very arduous.

Thanks for posting this. It is important stuff to at least a few of us.
 

Attachments

#149 ·
Inside of the box "Frisage" (parquetry)

After almost a month away in Europe, London and France, I am back and working on the boxes again. It was really nice to go back home as I haven't been able to do so for 4 years. It was also nice to be back, through away the jacket and sweater, an put on the flip flops.

Well, regarding the boxes.

When I came back I put the already cut bone leaves in green dye

Textile Petal Material property Font Pattern


Food Table Ingredient Drink Drinkware


Wood Slope Rectangle Wood stain Grass


and while waiting to feel up the holes in the marquetry,

Brown Vertebrate Textile Sleeve Wood


I started working on the inside of the boxes. The marquetry were already cut for a while now

Brown Bird Leaf Plant Wood


Bird Wood Twig Art Paint


Veneered, and the boxes framed with full blind dovetails and veneered on the inside, all with Old Brown Glue

Wood Textile Rectangle Publication Book


I build the partitions out of solid bloodwood

Wood Road surface Flooring Floor Brickwork


Mortise and dado on the inside of the boxes and cut the inside panel to size.

Wood Rectangle Flooring Floor Hardwood


We were going to do the inside all bloodwood, but while fooling around in the veneer room, I found a really nice flitch of tulip cut in the late 19th century and we decided to use it. Everything veneered with liquid hide glue.

Handwriting Wood Rectangle Font Hardwood


Brown Property Wood Rectangle Textile


Picture frame Wood Rectangle Interior design Flooring


Brown Wood Book Rectangle Wood stain


I also started to build the lid frisage (parquetry) without the bloodwood framing that I reserve for last to hit the corner at the right spot.

Hand tool Wood Vise Tool Metalworking hand tool


Here is the glue side so we can see the effect better

Bird Wood Art Office supplies Beak


I can tell you, when you work on something interesting like that, it is nice to be back from vacation.

Next, green bone incrustation and veneering of the boxes sides.
 

Attachments

#150 ·
Inside of the box "Frisage" (parquetry)

After almost a month away in Europe, London and France, I am back and working on the boxes again. It was really nice to go back home as I haven't been able to do so for 4 years. It was also nice to be back, through away the jacket and sweater, an put on the flip flops.

Well, regarding the boxes.

When I came back I put the already cut bone leaves in green dye

Textile Petal Material property Font Pattern


Food Table Ingredient Drink Drinkware


Wood Slope Rectangle Wood stain Grass


and while waiting to feel up the holes in the marquetry,

Brown Vertebrate Textile Sleeve Wood


I started working on the inside of the boxes. The marquetry were already cut for a while now

Brown Bird Leaf Plant Wood


Bird Wood Twig Art Paint


Veneered, and the boxes framed with full blind dovetails and veneered on the inside, all with Old Brown Glue

Wood Textile Rectangle Publication Book


I build the partitions out of solid bloodwood

Wood Road surface Flooring Floor Brickwork


Mortise and dado on the inside of the boxes and cut the inside panel to size.

Wood Rectangle Flooring Floor Hardwood


We were going to do the inside all bloodwood, but while fooling around in the veneer room, I found a really nice flitch of tulip cut in the late 19th century and we decided to use it. Everything veneered with liquid hide glue.

Handwriting Wood Rectangle Font Hardwood


Brown Property Wood Rectangle Textile


Picture frame Wood Rectangle Interior design Flooring


Brown Wood Book Rectangle Wood stain


I also started to build the lid frisage (parquetry) without the bloodwood framing that I reserve for last to hit the corner at the right spot.

Hand tool Wood Vise Tool Metalworking hand tool


Here is the glue side so we can see the effect better

Bird Wood Art Office supplies Beak


I can tell you, when you work on something interesting like that, it is nice to be back from vacation.

Next, green bone incrustation and veneering of the boxes sides.
Absolutely beautiful.
 

Attachments

#161 ·
Finished with the marquetry panels

Wood Creative arts Rectangle Art Flooring


With those and of year year festivities, I still have been able to advance a bit this project, between making macarons with my wife for the end of the year gifts for our friends

Food Macaroon Ingredient Cuisine Dish


And also, after a snow fall due to a cold front coming from Canada, a little bit of playing in the snow in the mountains with my wife, like any San Diegan.

Glasses Vision care Plant Goggles Sunglasses


I finished to put together the marquetry panels.

The bone where finally dyed

Tableware Drinkware Dishware Cup Serveware


Green Plant Ingredient Staple food Dishware


I inserted those last pieces in the top and sides

Wood Creative arts Rectangle Art Flooring


To be on the safe side I reheated the panels on hot plates paper side down after sprinkling it with water and pressing it down real hard with some plenty of newspaper and foam on the back. The idea is to press real hard all the wood pieces, that have some discrepancy in thickness, to the front of the paper while the glue melts with the heat from the plates and the moisture from the water, and create an even surface for the front, the paper side.

Table Wood Flooring Hardwood Office equipment


Wood Rectangle Floor Flooring Hardwood


I re-glued the marquetry on new assembly board to be able to do the mastic to fill up the gap but mainly the engraving line of the marquetry.

Brown Wood Rectangle Gas Wood stain


Wood Gas Hardwood Rectangle Metal


Next step veneering.
 

Attachments

#162 ·
Finished with the marquetry panels

Wood Creative arts Rectangle Art Flooring


With those and of year year festivities, I still have been able to advance a bit this project, between making macarons with my wife for the end of the year gifts for our friends

Food Macaroon Ingredient Cuisine Dish


And also, after a snow fall due to a cold front coming from Canada, a little bit of playing in the snow in the mountains with my wife, like any San Diegan.

Glasses Vision care Plant Goggles Sunglasses


I finished to put together the marquetry panels.

The bone where finally dyed

Tableware Drinkware Dishware Cup Serveware


Green Plant Ingredient Staple food Dishware


I inserted those last pieces in the top and sides

Wood Creative arts Rectangle Art Flooring


To be on the safe side I reheated the panels on hot plates paper side down after sprinkling it with water and pressing it down real hard with some plenty of newspaper and foam on the back. The idea is to press real hard all the wood pieces, that have some discrepancy in thickness, to the front of the paper while the glue melts with the heat from the plates and the moisture from the water, and create an even surface for the front, the paper side.

Table Wood Flooring Hardwood Office equipment


Wood Rectangle Floor Flooring Hardwood


I re-glued the marquetry on new assembly board to be able to do the mastic to fill up the gap but mainly the engraving line of the marquetry.

Brown Wood Rectangle Gas Wood stain


Wood Gas Hardwood Rectangle Metal


Next step veneering.
Looks very familiar Patrice. I seem to be doing similar posts to yours these days. (Maybe not in quality, but at least in spirit)
These just look so good. All the little details that are still ahead for me are what draw my eye. Things like the dyed bone and the front fill mastic for the engraving lines. Do you find that they don't fill well enough from behind?
You have a lot left for me to learn. Please keep posting. I promise to soak up each word.

Thanks for this.
 

Attachments

#169 ·
Getting ready to polish the inside of the box

All right!

Last time I was done with the marquetry and I had done the mastic on them.

I glued them down with Hide Glue and cleaned with called water the paper that hold the pieces from the front with Hot Hide Glue.

Brown Rectangle Wood Art Flooring


Brown Rectangle Wood Art Stairs


Rectangle Wood Art Flooring Paint


Brown Wood Rectangle Paint Line


When all the paper is gone with just cold water, I use one of those green scrubs to clean of the rest of the glue.

Brown Flower Plant Wood Tints and shades


As there is never a project without at least one f**k up, one of my marquetry panel did slide during veneering. Fortunately, the use of Hide Glue gives me reversibility. I applied a piece of curtain fabric with contact cement on both side and with moisture and heat unglued the panel.

Table Wood Brick Brickwork Font


Wood Wood stain Hardwood Gas Composite material


Brown Rectangle Wood Brickwork Brick


I re-glued it and afterwards you just peel of the fabric and clean the contact cement residue with acetone and back to normal. Nobody needs to now!!!
Next step finish all the little details in all the inside parts. Rabbets on the bottom

Table Wood Rectangle Outdoor table Wood stain


Brown Wood Rectangle Lectern Wood stain


Hinges on the bottom for the mechanism for the release of the tray, I will detail this later. When it is done of course.

Table Wood Tableware Cutting board Wood stain


Hinges for the lid

Wood Wood stain Hardwood Plank Lumber


Blood-wood and that bloody kiln dried beech are so hard on the chisel, it seems I spend half my time sharpening…. Especially when installing the lock

Brown Wood Rectangle Flooring Door mat


Ready to install the polishing area. I need to finish the french polish of the inside before next class of American School of French Marquetry…

Rectangle Wood Typesetting Stairs Flooring


I will also work on the polish of the apron on a pair of federal table Patrick is making

Wood Table Varnish Hardwood Flooring


Overall not a very exciting post, I know, but thought I will share the progress anyway.

Next episode, French Polish of the inside of the box and gluing of the box.

Thank you for following!
 

Attachments

#170 ·
Getting ready to polish the inside of the box

All right!

Last time I was done with the marquetry and I had done the mastic on them.

I glued them down with Hide Glue and cleaned with called water the paper that hold the pieces from the front with Hot Hide Glue.

Brown Rectangle Wood Art Flooring


Brown Rectangle Wood Art Stairs


Rectangle Wood Art Flooring Paint


Brown Wood Rectangle Paint Line


When all the paper is gone with just cold water, I use one of those green scrubs to clean of the rest of the glue.

Brown Flower Plant Wood Tints and shades


As there is never a project without at least one f**k up, one of my marquetry panel did slide during veneering. Fortunately, the use of Hide Glue gives me reversibility. I applied a piece of curtain fabric with contact cement on both side and with moisture and heat unglued the panel.

Table Wood Brick Brickwork Font


Wood Wood stain Hardwood Gas Composite material


Brown Rectangle Wood Brickwork Brick


I re-glued it and afterwards you just peel of the fabric and clean the contact cement residue with acetone and back to normal. Nobody needs to now!!!
Next step finish all the little details in all the inside parts. Rabbets on the bottom

Table Wood Rectangle Outdoor table Wood stain


Brown Wood Rectangle Lectern Wood stain


Hinges on the bottom for the mechanism for the release of the tray, I will detail this later. When it is done of course.

Table Wood Tableware Cutting board Wood stain


Hinges for the lid

Wood Wood stain Hardwood Plank Lumber


Blood-wood and that bloody kiln dried beech are so hard on the chisel, it seems I spend half my time sharpening…. Especially when installing the lock

Brown Wood Rectangle Flooring Door mat


Ready to install the polishing area. I need to finish the french polish of the inside before next class of American School of French Marquetry…

Rectangle Wood Typesetting Stairs Flooring


I will also work on the polish of the apron on a pair of federal table Patrick is making

Wood Table Varnish Hardwood Flooring


Overall not a very exciting post, I know, but thought I will share the progress anyway.

Next episode, French Polish of the inside of the box and gluing of the box.

Thank you for following!
Looks just great Patrice.
Sorry to hear about the slippage. I was terrified of getting slip when I did the ends of my jewellery box …..... but then I didn't know about the clever contact cement trick.
I'm assuming that you use solvent based contact cement (not water based).
Do you need the acetone to get the fabric off or just to clear the residue?
Natural fibre sheer curtain fabric?

Maybe not very exciting for you but that bit of wisdom is pretty exciting for me. Thanks. :)
 

Attachments

#183 ·
Finishing the inside of the box and glueing

Sorry there was a glitch and I double posted. To read the full entry click here

I have been carry on working on the boxes with a 2 weeks pause for our february teaching session at the American School of French Marquetry. Great class, here are some pictures

Table Shelf Wood Art Flooring


Wood Smile Engineering Gas T-shirt


Hand Cabinetry Table Wood Hat


More here

Anyway. Before the class started I I had to finish the inside of the boxes with French Polish, before the room was taken over by the students.

Table Furniture Desk Wood Writing desk


Table Wood Hardwood Flooring Creative arts


There is different way of holding the pieces with nails bent in places

Wood Rectangle Wood stain Floor Material property


Or with small wood blocks

Wood Rectangle Window Building Wood stain
 

Attachments

#184 ·
Finishing the inside of the box and glueing

Sorry there was a glitch and I double posted. To read the full entry click here

I have been carry on working on the boxes with a 2 weeks pause for our february teaching session at the American School of French Marquetry. Great class, here are some pictures

Table Shelf Wood Art Flooring


Wood Smile Engineering Gas T-shirt


Hand Cabinetry Table Wood Hat


More here

Anyway. Before the class started I I had to finish the inside of the boxes with French Polish, before the room was taken over by the students.

Table Furniture Desk Wood Writing desk


Table Wood Hardwood Flooring Creative arts


There is different way of holding the pieces with nails bent in places

Wood Rectangle Wood stain Floor Material property


Or with small wood blocks

Wood Rectangle Window Building Wood stain
This is timely. I am about to start polishing the inside surfaces of mine tomorrow prior to glue-up.
I will try the nails. I usually use the small blocks but this time there are several different sized pieces.
Is the widening in the rebate in the last photo for the false floor drawer release to move in?

Looking good!
 

Attachments

#185 ·
Finishing the insides and glueing the boxes

Wood Rectangle Hardwood Flooring Wood stain


I have been carry on working on the boxes with a 2 weeks pause for our february teaching session at the American School of French Marquetry. Great class, here are some pictures

Table Shelf Wood Art Flooring


Wood Smile Engineering Gas T-shirt


Hand Cabinetry Table Wood Hat


More here

Anyway. Before the class started I had to finish the inside of the boxes with French Polish, before the room was taken over by the students.

Table Furniture Desk Wood Writing desk


Table Wood Hardwood Flooring Creative arts


There is different way of holding the pieces with nails bent in places

Wood Rectangle Wood stain Floor Material property


Or with small wood blocks

Wood Rectangle Window Building Wood stain


I like to have it lay out in circle so I can just turn around… endlessly it seems some times. I left the edges of my side accessible to finish them also at the same time.

Table Furniture Desk Wood Chair


I started to polish the blood wood first, as it has a tendency to bleed and I did not want to drag to much the color around.

Wood Serveware Dishware Natural material Flooring


For the center panel, I started with the outside until it was fixed, then the tulip, and finally the center. This helped me minimizing any color transfer.

Brown Wood Book Rectangle Table


I work on the pore filling until I have a nice smooth satin surface. For me the pore filling is the most important step in french polish.

Book Wood Rectangle Publication Wood stain


Brown Wood Rectangle Wood stain Hardwood


Now, ready to glue

Wood Gas Art Event Folk instrument


I did not took a picture of cutting the panel to create part of the hidden tray mechanism but I will develop that on the mechanism trade, the next one.

I used Old Brown Glue, to give me plenty of time to glue the piece

Wood Floor Hardwood Engineering Flooring


But also the reversibility which offers an easy cleaning with cold water.

Wood Table Rectangle Stairs Wood stain


Wood Wood stain Rectangle Floor Hardwood


Wood Flooring Wood stain Hardwood Gas


This morning, first box glued. 3 more to go and I can start working on the base, the tray and the lid, while Patrick works on the mechanism.

Wood Rectangle Hardwood Flooring Wood stain


Just for your curiosity, Patrick posted on the mechanism we decided to use on the boxes trays on his blog. And we also did a small video.

See you on the next episode!

Cheers
 

Attachments

#186 ·
Finishing the insides and glueing the boxes

Wood Rectangle Hardwood Flooring Wood stain


I have been carry on working on the boxes with a 2 weeks pause for our february teaching session at the American School of French Marquetry. Great class, here are some pictures

Table Shelf Wood Art Flooring


Wood Smile Engineering Gas T-shirt


Hand Cabinetry Table Wood Hat


More here

Anyway. Before the class started I had to finish the inside of the boxes with French Polish, before the room was taken over by the students.

Table Furniture Desk Wood Writing desk


Table Wood Hardwood Flooring Creative arts


There is different way of holding the pieces with nails bent in places

Wood Rectangle Wood stain Floor Material property


Or with small wood blocks

Wood Rectangle Window Building Wood stain


I like to have it lay out in circle so I can just turn around… endlessly it seems some times. I left the edges of my side accessible to finish them also at the same time.

Table Furniture Desk Wood Chair


I started to polish the blood wood first, as it has a tendency to bleed and I did not want to drag to much the color around.

Wood Serveware Dishware Natural material Flooring


For the center panel, I started with the outside until it was fixed, then the tulip, and finally the center. This helped me minimizing any color transfer.

Brown Wood Book Rectangle Table


I work on the pore filling until I have a nice smooth satin surface. For me the pore filling is the most important step in french polish.

Book Wood Rectangle Publication Wood stain


Brown Wood Rectangle Wood stain Hardwood


Now, ready to glue

Wood Gas Art Event Folk instrument


I did not took a picture of cutting the panel to create part of the hidden tray mechanism but I will develop that on the mechanism trade, the next one.

I used Old Brown Glue, to give me plenty of time to glue the piece

Wood Floor Hardwood Engineering Flooring


But also the reversibility which offers an easy cleaning with cold water.

Wood Table Rectangle Stairs Wood stain


Wood Wood stain Rectangle Floor Hardwood


Wood Flooring Wood stain Hardwood Gas


This morning, first box glued. 3 more to go and I can start working on the base, the tray and the lid, while Patrick works on the mechanism.

Wood Rectangle Hardwood Flooring Wood stain


Just for your curiosity, Patrick posted on the mechanism we decided to use on the boxes trays on his blog. And we also did a small video.

See you on the next episode!

Cheers
That polish, OMG.
 

Attachments

#194 ·
Veneering the lid and preparing the bandings

Last time I posted I had glued down the boxes bodies with the inside already french polished

Wood Rectangle Hardwood Flooring Wood stain


I worked on gluing the marquetry panels to the trimmed to size lid

Wood Rectangle Art Flooring Religious item


My favorite moment is when you see it glued down right way up for the first time, it appears slowly while you remove the paper

Wood Art Tree Font Door


This glueing of the marquetry on both side had to be precise has they had to be perfectly centered as well as the right way up as when you open the box

Wood Art Flooring Rectangle Recreation


the owner will appreciate to get the inside bird the right way up.

Wood Flooring Art Hardwood Wood stain


Patrick and I were slightly stress over that eventuality. But nothing of the sort.

The other part of last weeks work was to create the hidden tray from blood-wood

Table Wood Flooring Floor Wood stain


Made to fit each box and numbered, with a the space in the back for the mechanism that Patrick and I decided on to release it. More on it in couple weeks.

Wood Rectangle Flooring Wood stain Hardwood


There is also a recess to receive a gilt leather to make a real nice writing surface

Plant Rectangle Wood Road surface Flooring


Another part that I had to prepare was the base on which the tray will slide and the mechanism will be fixed. It is also a good way to old the small ebony bid we wanted as a base for the boxes

Wood Road surface Hand tool Concrete Street light


Wood Automotive tire Bedrock Track Automotive wheel system


Brown Wood Rectangle Wood stain Hardwood


Brown Wood Rectangle Wood stain Flooring


Last but not least was the preparation of all the banding for the marquetry.
Like the center oval it will be composed of 2 white bone and one ebony purflings

Wood Rectangle Creative arts Art Flooring


This means a bunch of ebony string inlay needs to be cut

Wood Line Electric blue Ingredient Staple food


As wells as ebony bands

Wood Hardwood Musical instrument accessory Wood stain Metal


To combine them. Each bone purflings has to be butted cleanly to the next one to hide as well as possible the joints on this super white material. Here is only the banding for the small sides

Wood Rectangle Material property Font Gas


Here is to give an idea of the effect

Table Wood Flooring Floor Art


Wood Rectangle Art Creative arts Wall


Next time, all the banding will be glued and we will have the real effect with everything in place ready for installation of hardware and mechanism as well as finish.

Thank you for following!
 

Attachments

#195 ·
Veneering the lid and preparing the bandings

Last time I posted I had glued down the boxes bodies with the inside already french polished

Wood Rectangle Hardwood Flooring Wood stain


I worked on gluing the marquetry panels to the trimmed to size lid

Wood Rectangle Art Flooring Religious item


My favorite moment is when you see it glued down right way up for the first time, it appears slowly while you remove the paper

Wood Art Tree Font Door


This glueing of the marquetry on both side had to be precise has they had to be perfectly centered as well as the right way up as when you open the box

Wood Art Flooring Rectangle Recreation


the owner will appreciate to get the inside bird the right way up.

Wood Flooring Art Hardwood Wood stain


Patrick and I were slightly stress over that eventuality. But nothing of the sort.

The other part of last weeks work was to create the hidden tray from blood-wood

Table Wood Flooring Floor Wood stain


Made to fit each box and numbered, with a the space in the back for the mechanism that Patrick and I decided on to release it. More on it in couple weeks.

Wood Rectangle Flooring Wood stain Hardwood


There is also a recess to receive a gilt leather to make a real nice writing surface

Plant Rectangle Wood Road surface Flooring


Another part that I had to prepare was the base on which the tray will slide and the mechanism will be fixed. It is also a good way to old the small ebony bid we wanted as a base for the boxes

Wood Road surface Hand tool Concrete Street light


Wood Automotive tire Bedrock Track Automotive wheel system


Brown Wood Rectangle Wood stain Hardwood


Brown Wood Rectangle Wood stain Flooring


Last but not least was the preparation of all the banding for the marquetry.
Like the center oval it will be composed of 2 white bone and one ebony purflings

Wood Rectangle Creative arts Art Flooring


This means a bunch of ebony string inlay needs to be cut

Wood Line Electric blue Ingredient Staple food


As wells as ebony bands

Wood Hardwood Musical instrument accessory Wood stain Metal


To combine them. Each bone purflings has to be butted cleanly to the next one to hide as well as possible the joints on this super white material. Here is only the banding for the small sides

Wood Rectangle Material property Font Gas


Here is to give an idea of the effect

Table Wood Flooring Floor Art


Wood Rectangle Art Creative arts Wall


Next time, all the banding will be glued and we will have the real effect with everything in place ready for installation of hardware and mechanism as well as finish.

Thank you for following!
These are going to be even finer than the last set and they were perfect.
So, so elegant.

I know the angst well when everything is glued up and you are hoping you got everything right. I also know the feeling of relief when the paper gets soaked off and you confirm at last that everything is as it should be, straight, centred, and right side up. There's no feeling quite like it.
Thanks for this blog my friend. Your work gives the rest of us a better understanding of how much there is left to learn.
 

Attachments

#204 ·
Banding - Mechanism - Hardware

Hello,

I had to stop working on the boxes for 2 weeks as we had classes here at the American School of French Marquetry. Great group

Table Picture frame Furniture Window Chair


But I am back to work on them now.

First of all, all the banding is done.
They are composed on 2 bone and an ebony string inlay plus an ebony band.

Rectangle Wood Paint Material property Art


Wood Rectangle Material property Font Gas


The edges of the top are veneered with ebony first

Wood Rectangle Art Flooring Font


Then I cut with a veneer saw the inside marquetry to size and instal the banding

Brown Blue Wood Rectangle Creative arts


Rectangle Wood Gadget Publication Pen


The same is done for the sides

Brown Wood Rectangle Wood stain Flooring


It is a bit tricky for the side with the tray so I did a little memory aid to not screw it up

Brown Wood Font Art Publication


Rectangle Slope Font Triangle Parallel


The result is pretty good, it does not show much and is pretty discreet, which is nice for a secret mechanism.

Brown Flower Rectangle Wood Petal


Then I sanded the tray face and the tray edge together so we can adjust the mechanism to hold the tray at the right spot

Open

Wood Flooring Art Hardwood Recreation


Closed

Wood Flooring Floor Art Table


The inside of the lid is sanded until all marks from the sawing of the veneer disappears and level to the box. Then the hardware is installed

Wood Wood stain Table Flooring Hardwood


To level the bone banding this type of rasp-file seems to work the best

Wood Publication Hardwood Wood stain Flooring


It is amazing how different it looks with the banding on

Table Wood Rectangle Flooring Art


So, in the meantime Patrick has worked on the mechanism.

Jeans Wood Shelf Flooring Floor


Watch Table Wood Artisan Tradesman


We had Aaron Radelow mill the spring catch

Watch Wood Table Gesture Finger


The inside has a hinged part

Rectangle Wood Floor Flooring Hardwood


Brown Wood Rectangle Flooring Art


So we have coil springs that are here to support it and keep it flush

Table Wood Rectangle Wood stain Drawer


When you press on it

Vehicle Boats and boating--Equipment and supplies Wood Boat Motor vehicle


It lowers the plunger and lower the spring catch

Wood Floor Flooring Wood stain Hardwood


Wood Table Rectangle Finger Wood stain


Releasing the hook from the tray catch

Brown Wood Plant Rectangle Wood stain


Releasing the tray that is push out by the side action springs

Rectangle Wood Floor Table Flooring


If my explanation on the mechanism is not clear, we may do a video to explain it later on. Let me know!

All right! Now back to work!

Next time sanding and finishing!
 

Attachments

#205 ·
Banding - Mechanism - Hardware

Hello,

I had to stop working on the boxes for 2 weeks as we had classes here at the American School of French Marquetry. Great group

Table Picture frame Furniture Window Chair


But I am back to work on them now.

First of all, all the banding is done.
They are composed on 2 bone and an ebony string inlay plus an ebony band.

Rectangle Wood Paint Material property Art


Wood Rectangle Material property Font Gas


The edges of the top are veneered with ebony first

Wood Rectangle Art Flooring Font


Then I cut with a veneer saw the inside marquetry to size and instal the banding

Brown Blue Wood Rectangle Creative arts


Rectangle Wood Gadget Publication Pen


The same is done for the sides

Brown Wood Rectangle Wood stain Flooring


It is a bit tricky for the side with the tray so I did a little memory aid to not screw it up

Brown Wood Font Art Publication


Rectangle Slope Font Triangle Parallel


The result is pretty good, it does not show much and is pretty discreet, which is nice for a secret mechanism.

Brown Flower Rectangle Wood Petal


Then I sanded the tray face and the tray edge together so we can adjust the mechanism to hold the tray at the right spot

Open

Wood Flooring Art Hardwood Recreation


Closed

Wood Flooring Floor Art Table


The inside of the lid is sanded until all marks from the sawing of the veneer disappears and level to the box. Then the hardware is installed

Wood Wood stain Table Flooring Hardwood


To level the bone banding this type of rasp-file seems to work the best

Wood Publication Hardwood Wood stain Flooring


It is amazing how different it looks with the banding on

Table Wood Rectangle Flooring Art


So, in the meantime Patrick has worked on the mechanism.

Jeans Wood Shelf Flooring Floor


Watch Table Wood Artisan Tradesman


We had Aaron Radelow mill the spring catch

Watch Wood Table Gesture Finger


The inside has a hinged part

Rectangle Wood Floor Flooring Hardwood


Brown Wood Rectangle Flooring Art


So we have coil springs that are here to support it and keep it flush

Table Wood Rectangle Wood stain Drawer


When you press on it

Vehicle Boats and boating--Equipment and supplies Wood Boat Motor vehicle


It lowers the plunger and lower the spring catch

Wood Floor Flooring Wood stain Hardwood


Wood Table Rectangle Finger Wood stain


Releasing the hook from the tray catch

Brown Wood Plant Rectangle Wood stain


Releasing the tray that is push out by the side action springs

Rectangle Wood Floor Table Flooring


If my explanation on the mechanism is not clear, we may do a video to explain it later on. Let me know!

All right! Now back to work!

Next time sanding and finishing!
It's a pleasure to see these boxes coming together after all the painstaking work that's gone into them thus far. The hidden tray is a delightful surprise. The hidden mechanism is among the nicest I've ever encountered… and I've looked at a lot of boxes. My compliments once again to you both.
Roger
 

Attachments

#220 ·
French polishing

All right!

Last stretch this week. We will have pro picture next week and I will post them for you guys as well of a video of the mechanism in action.

But for now! Lets talk about french polish

While finishing the fine sanding

Brown Wood Rectangle Plant Creative arts


I have been pushing forward the pore filling and the polishing of the tray so it could be sent to LA for the leather.

Table Furniture Desk Rectangle Wood


Then I started with the pore-filling of the all box. The top first with the pore filling of the outside and inside every other day. When it was pore-filled I started the polish of the inside first

Brown Picture frame Wood Rectangle Wood stain


In the meantime I carry on with the box body pore filling up to the point it is nicely satin

Picture frame Wood Textile Interior design Flooring


Plant Wood Art Flower Tints and shades


Then I installed the hardware for the top

Wood Rectangle Office ruler Wood stain Gas


And installed the top with the hinges in order to be able to finish the top without having anything touching the fresh inside polish

Wood Chair Wood stain Flooring Hardwood


The back is raised on a wood spacer

Table Wood Art Flooring Rectangle


And the front touches another spacer only on the brass latch

Wood Table Rectangle Wood stain Flooring


When the leather came back I was almost done with polishing

Brown Wood Rectangle Hardwood Flooring


Publication Shelf Automotive design Flooring Floor


And then, you know the story, put everything together and reflect on the past 2 years getting that project done.

Rectangle Wood Flooring Hardwood Table


Wood Floor Flooring Art Font


Pro pictures should be in next week to share!

Table Tripod Folding table Microphone stand Film studio


And of course delivery for our patient, but I believe very happy, clients and collectors.

Cheers and I will post the pictures next week
 

Attachments

#221 ·
French polishing

All right!

Last stretch this week. We will have pro picture next week and I will post them for you guys as well of a video of the mechanism in action.

But for now! Lets talk about french polish

While finishing the fine sanding

Brown Wood Rectangle Plant Creative arts


I have been pushing forward the pore filling and the polishing of the tray so it could be sent to LA for the leather.

Table Furniture Desk Rectangle Wood


Then I started with the pore-filling of the all box. The top first with the pore filling of the outside and inside every other day. When it was pore-filled I started the polish of the inside first

Brown Picture frame Wood Rectangle Wood stain


In the meantime I carry on with the box body pore filling up to the point it is nicely satin

Picture frame Wood Textile Interior design Flooring


Plant Wood Art Flower Tints and shades


Then I installed the hardware for the top

Wood Rectangle Office ruler Wood stain Gas


And installed the top with the hinges in order to be able to finish the top without having anything touching the fresh inside polish

Wood Chair Wood stain Flooring Hardwood


The back is raised on a wood spacer

Table Wood Art Flooring Rectangle


And the front touches another spacer only on the brass latch

Wood Table Rectangle Wood stain Flooring


When the leather came back I was almost done with polishing

Brown Wood Rectangle Hardwood Flooring


Publication Shelf Automotive design Flooring Floor


And then, you know the story, put everything together and reflect on the past 2 years getting that project done.

Rectangle Wood Flooring Hardwood Table


Wood Floor Flooring Art Font


Pro pictures should be in next week to share!

Table Tripod Folding table Microphone stand Film studio


And of course delivery for our patient, but I believe very happy, clients and collectors.

Cheers and I will post the pictures next week
Magnificent. Certainly four of the finest boxes ever made. Absolutely wonderful design and craftsmanship.
Roger
 

Attachments

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