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Combining my Passions: Friendship Marquetry.

35K views 205 replies 62 participants last post by  mochoa 
#1 ·
Upgrading my Desk Doors

Back in 2009 when my "woodworking as a hobby" life was just getting started I became interested in veneering and marquetry. Problem was I knew nothing about marquetry so I used a set of router bushings made for inlaying and adapted a style of marquetry cutting with them. One of my early projects was a couple of doors for a new desk to fit a little nook in my home office.

Computer Furniture Table Personal computer Computer desk


Wood Rectangle Shelf Wood stain Hardwood


The text accompanying the project post says " I will improve" so I guess the time has come to upgrade those doors. This may become a remodel of the whole desk but for now I'm going to get at the doors. They will be done from the same photograph as the originals but now I'm tracing with inkscape and cutting with my chevalet so I'd better make some noticeable improvement. I will be cutting in classic or piece by piece style, making four copies of which two will make the new doors. I've been doing the tracing an hour or two here and there for a while but just got around to the actual cutting today. Sit back and relax this one may take a while.

Here are some photos of about four hours of cutting today. I'm still experimenting with colors and may change my mind if I don't like what I see. That's one of the nice things about classic style. If you don't like the color of one element you can just cut it again out of a different veneer. As all pieces are cut independently, none of the rest of the motif is affected.

This one shows the first few pieces cut from some "previously enjoyed" packets I found in the drawer. They are holly, poplar and amaranth (purpleheart). The pattern is on a standard 8 1/2 X 11 page for size reference.

Brown Wood Rectangle Art Font


Some of the cut pieces in the tray. Although this will be a larger piece than most I've done recently, the pieces are still very small.

Hood Textile Sleeve Automotive lighting Automotive tail & brake light


Textile Sleeve Font Pink Violet


These are a coupleof new packets, bloodwood and maple. You can see where I have cut pieces from several copies of the pattern and pasted some to the face of each packet.

Wood Rectangle Flooring Floor Font


This is how far I got today. I used amaranth for the shaded front of the cabin and bloodwood for the sides …. not sure it works. Also will have to re-cut the cabin sides anyway to orient the grain better but generally I'm not unhappy with the fits and most of the tiny parts are proving do-able.

Boat Watercraft Naval architecture Mast Sailboat


Naval architecture Aircraft Boat Vehicle Aviation


Here's one more photo. These letters may not appear perfect but they will look good in the context of the completed picture. They are, after all, quite small.

Grey Font Astronomical object Coin Circle


I'm enjoying this. I haven't done one of these for a while so I am up for it. ..... Question is … are you??

Thanks for dropping in and please ask questions, comment and don't be afraid to critique.

Later

Paul
 

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#27 ·
Upgrading my Desk Doors

Back in 2009 when my "woodworking as a hobby" life was just getting started I became interested in veneering and marquetry. Problem was I knew nothing about marquetry so I used a set of router bushings made for inlaying and adapted a style of marquetry cutting with them. One of my early projects was a couple of doors for a new desk to fit a little nook in my home office.

Computer Furniture Table Personal computer Computer desk


Wood Rectangle Shelf Wood stain Hardwood


The text accompanying the project post says " I will improve" so I guess the time has come to upgrade those doors. This may become a remodel of the whole desk but for now I'm going to get at the doors. They will be done from the same photograph as the originals but now I'm tracing with inkscape and cutting with my chevalet so I'd better make some noticeable improvement. I will be cutting in classic or piece by piece style, making four copies of which two will make the new doors. I've been doing the tracing an hour or two here and there for a while but just got around to the actual cutting today. Sit back and relax this one may take a while.

Here are some photos of about four hours of cutting today. I'm still experimenting with colors and may change my mind if I don't like what I see. That's one of the nice things about classic style. If you don't like the color of one element you can just cut it again out of a different veneer. As all pieces are cut independently, none of the rest of the motif is affected.

This one shows the first few pieces cut from some "previously enjoyed" packets I found in the drawer. They are holly, poplar and amaranth (purpleheart). The pattern is on a standard 8 1/2 X 11 page for size reference.

Brown Wood Rectangle Art Font


Some of the cut pieces in the tray. Although this will be a larger piece than most I've done recently, the pieces are still very small.

Hood Textile Sleeve Automotive lighting Automotive tail & brake light


Textile Sleeve Font Pink Violet


These are a coupleof new packets, bloodwood and maple. You can see where I have cut pieces from several copies of the pattern and pasted some to the face of each packet.

Wood Rectangle Flooring Floor Font


This is how far I got today. I used amaranth for the shaded front of the cabin and bloodwood for the sides …. not sure it works. Also will have to re-cut the cabin sides anyway to orient the grain better but generally I'm not unhappy with the fits and most of the tiny parts are proving do-able.

Boat Watercraft Naval architecture Mast Sailboat


Naval architecture Aircraft Boat Vehicle Aviation


Here's one more photo. These letters may not appear perfect but they will look good in the context of the completed picture. They are, after all, quite small.

Grey Font Astronomical object Coin Circle


I'm enjoying this. I haven't done one of these for a while so I am up for it. ..... Question is … are you??

Thanks for dropping in and please ask questions, comment and don't be afraid to critique.

Later

Paul
Wow, great work Paul! It already looked good but the upgrade is going to amazing.
 

Attachments

#28 ·
Upgrading my Desk Doors

Back in 2009 when my "woodworking as a hobby" life was just getting started I became interested in veneering and marquetry. Problem was I knew nothing about marquetry so I used a set of router bushings made for inlaying and adapted a style of marquetry cutting with them. One of my early projects was a couple of doors for a new desk to fit a little nook in my home office.

Computer Furniture Table Personal computer Computer desk


Wood Rectangle Shelf Wood stain Hardwood


The text accompanying the project post says " I will improve" so I guess the time has come to upgrade those doors. This may become a remodel of the whole desk but for now I'm going to get at the doors. They will be done from the same photograph as the originals but now I'm tracing with inkscape and cutting with my chevalet so I'd better make some noticeable improvement. I will be cutting in classic or piece by piece style, making four copies of which two will make the new doors. I've been doing the tracing an hour or two here and there for a while but just got around to the actual cutting today. Sit back and relax this one may take a while.

Here are some photos of about four hours of cutting today. I'm still experimenting with colors and may change my mind if I don't like what I see. That's one of the nice things about classic style. If you don't like the color of one element you can just cut it again out of a different veneer. As all pieces are cut independently, none of the rest of the motif is affected.

This one shows the first few pieces cut from some "previously enjoyed" packets I found in the drawer. They are holly, poplar and amaranth (purpleheart). The pattern is on a standard 8 1/2 X 11 page for size reference.

Brown Wood Rectangle Art Font


Some of the cut pieces in the tray. Although this will be a larger piece than most I've done recently, the pieces are still very small.

Hood Textile Sleeve Automotive lighting Automotive tail & brake light


Textile Sleeve Font Pink Violet


These are a coupleof new packets, bloodwood and maple. You can see where I have cut pieces from several copies of the pattern and pasted some to the face of each packet.

Wood Rectangle Flooring Floor Font


This is how far I got today. I used amaranth for the shaded front of the cabin and bloodwood for the sides …. not sure it works. Also will have to re-cut the cabin sides anyway to orient the grain better but generally I'm not unhappy with the fits and most of the tiny parts are proving do-able.

Boat Watercraft Naval architecture Mast Sailboat


Naval architecture Aircraft Boat Vehicle Aviation


Here's one more photo. These letters may not appear perfect but they will look good in the context of the completed picture. They are, after all, quite small.

Grey Font Astronomical object Coin Circle


I'm enjoying this. I haven't done one of these for a while so I am up for it. ..... Question is … are you??

Thanks for dropping in and please ask questions, comment and don't be afraid to critique.

Later

Paul
As an avid sailor myself I think what you have done is fantastic. I am thinking the same type of doors for my tool cabinet in my shop but with clipper ships.

I think you have inspired me to move forward on my now 8 year ongoing project. Thank you!
 

Attachments

#29 ·
Upgrading my Desk Doors

Back in 2009 when my "woodworking as a hobby" life was just getting started I became interested in veneering and marquetry. Problem was I knew nothing about marquetry so I used a set of router bushings made for inlaying and adapted a style of marquetry cutting with them. One of my early projects was a couple of doors for a new desk to fit a little nook in my home office.

Computer Furniture Table Personal computer Computer desk


Wood Rectangle Shelf Wood stain Hardwood


The text accompanying the project post says " I will improve" so I guess the time has come to upgrade those doors. This may become a remodel of the whole desk but for now I'm going to get at the doors. They will be done from the same photograph as the originals but now I'm tracing with inkscape and cutting with my chevalet so I'd better make some noticeable improvement. I will be cutting in classic or piece by piece style, making four copies of which two will make the new doors. I've been doing the tracing an hour or two here and there for a while but just got around to the actual cutting today. Sit back and relax this one may take a while.

Here are some photos of about four hours of cutting today. I'm still experimenting with colors and may change my mind if I don't like what I see. That's one of the nice things about classic style. If you don't like the color of one element you can just cut it again out of a different veneer. As all pieces are cut independently, none of the rest of the motif is affected.

This one shows the first few pieces cut from some "previously enjoyed" packets I found in the drawer. They are holly, poplar and amaranth (purpleheart). The pattern is on a standard 8 1/2 X 11 page for size reference.

Brown Wood Rectangle Art Font


Some of the cut pieces in the tray. Although this will be a larger piece than most I've done recently, the pieces are still very small.

Hood Textile Sleeve Automotive lighting Automotive tail & brake light


Textile Sleeve Font Pink Violet


These are a coupleof new packets, bloodwood and maple. You can see where I have cut pieces from several copies of the pattern and pasted some to the face of each packet.

Wood Rectangle Flooring Floor Font


This is how far I got today. I used amaranth for the shaded front of the cabin and bloodwood for the sides …. not sure it works. Also will have to re-cut the cabin sides anyway to orient the grain better but generally I'm not unhappy with the fits and most of the tiny parts are proving do-able.

Boat Watercraft Naval architecture Mast Sailboat


Naval architecture Aircraft Boat Vehicle Aviation


Here's one more photo. These letters may not appear perfect but they will look good in the context of the completed picture. They are, after all, quite small.

Grey Font Astronomical object Coin Circle


I'm enjoying this. I haven't done one of these for a while so I am up for it. ..... Question is … are you??

Thanks for dropping in and please ask questions, comment and don't be afraid to critique.

Later

Paul
Sorry to be late answering questions.

Erwin I have only met two people with bigger hands than mine, but they still handle tweezers OK.

Bob, No Optivisor anymore I just use strong reading glasses. When I stand up if I don't take them off, I run into things.
I hand trace in inkscape and then scale to whatever size I want in "document properties".

L/W I've thought of paint by numbers but too many too small pieces for me.

Rance, Yes they were cut in a packet.

Thanks for the kind comments. I was going to glue these right up over the old ones but now you are all making me feel bad about that. ... maybe a new shop cabinet…
 

Attachments

#30 ·
Upgrading my Desk Doors

Back in 2009 when my "woodworking as a hobby" life was just getting started I became interested in veneering and marquetry. Problem was I knew nothing about marquetry so I used a set of router bushings made for inlaying and adapted a style of marquetry cutting with them. One of my early projects was a couple of doors for a new desk to fit a little nook in my home office.

Computer Furniture Table Personal computer Computer desk


Wood Rectangle Shelf Wood stain Hardwood


The text accompanying the project post says " I will improve" so I guess the time has come to upgrade those doors. This may become a remodel of the whole desk but for now I'm going to get at the doors. They will be done from the same photograph as the originals but now I'm tracing with inkscape and cutting with my chevalet so I'd better make some noticeable improvement. I will be cutting in classic or piece by piece style, making four copies of which two will make the new doors. I've been doing the tracing an hour or two here and there for a while but just got around to the actual cutting today. Sit back and relax this one may take a while.

Here are some photos of about four hours of cutting today. I'm still experimenting with colors and may change my mind if I don't like what I see. That's one of the nice things about classic style. If you don't like the color of one element you can just cut it again out of a different veneer. As all pieces are cut independently, none of the rest of the motif is affected.

This one shows the first few pieces cut from some "previously enjoyed" packets I found in the drawer. They are holly, poplar and amaranth (purpleheart). The pattern is on a standard 8 1/2 X 11 page for size reference.

Brown Wood Rectangle Art Font


Some of the cut pieces in the tray. Although this will be a larger piece than most I've done recently, the pieces are still very small.

Hood Textile Sleeve Automotive lighting Automotive tail & brake light


Textile Sleeve Font Pink Violet


These are a coupleof new packets, bloodwood and maple. You can see where I have cut pieces from several copies of the pattern and pasted some to the face of each packet.

Wood Rectangle Flooring Floor Font


This is how far I got today. I used amaranth for the shaded front of the cabin and bloodwood for the sides …. not sure it works. Also will have to re-cut the cabin sides anyway to orient the grain better but generally I'm not unhappy with the fits and most of the tiny parts are proving do-able.

Boat Watercraft Naval architecture Mast Sailboat


Naval architecture Aircraft Boat Vehicle Aviation


Here's one more photo. These letters may not appear perfect but they will look good in the context of the completed picture. They are, after all, quite small.

Grey Font Astronomical object Coin Circle


I'm enjoying this. I haven't done one of these for a while so I am up for it. ..... Question is … are you??

Thanks for dropping in and please ask questions, comment and don't be afraid to critique.

Later

Paul
I wish I had half your motivation!
 

Attachments

#31 ·
Upgrading my Desk Doors

Back in 2009 when my "woodworking as a hobby" life was just getting started I became interested in veneering and marquetry. Problem was I knew nothing about marquetry so I used a set of router bushings made for inlaying and adapted a style of marquetry cutting with them. One of my early projects was a couple of doors for a new desk to fit a little nook in my home office.

Computer Furniture Table Personal computer Computer desk


Wood Rectangle Shelf Wood stain Hardwood


The text accompanying the project post says " I will improve" so I guess the time has come to upgrade those doors. This may become a remodel of the whole desk but for now I'm going to get at the doors. They will be done from the same photograph as the originals but now I'm tracing with inkscape and cutting with my chevalet so I'd better make some noticeable improvement. I will be cutting in classic or piece by piece style, making four copies of which two will make the new doors. I've been doing the tracing an hour or two here and there for a while but just got around to the actual cutting today. Sit back and relax this one may take a while.

Here are some photos of about four hours of cutting today. I'm still experimenting with colors and may change my mind if I don't like what I see. That's one of the nice things about classic style. If you don't like the color of one element you can just cut it again out of a different veneer. As all pieces are cut independently, none of the rest of the motif is affected.

This one shows the first few pieces cut from some "previously enjoyed" packets I found in the drawer. They are holly, poplar and amaranth (purpleheart). The pattern is on a standard 8 1/2 X 11 page for size reference.

Brown Wood Rectangle Art Font


Some of the cut pieces in the tray. Although this will be a larger piece than most I've done recently, the pieces are still very small.

Hood Textile Sleeve Automotive lighting Automotive tail & brake light


Textile Sleeve Font Pink Violet


These are a coupleof new packets, bloodwood and maple. You can see where I have cut pieces from several copies of the pattern and pasted some to the face of each packet.

Wood Rectangle Flooring Floor Font


This is how far I got today. I used amaranth for the shaded front of the cabin and bloodwood for the sides …. not sure it works. Also will have to re-cut the cabin sides anyway to orient the grain better but generally I'm not unhappy with the fits and most of the tiny parts are proving do-able.

Boat Watercraft Naval architecture Mast Sailboat


Naval architecture Aircraft Boat Vehicle Aviation


Here's one more photo. These letters may not appear perfect but they will look good in the context of the completed picture. They are, after all, quite small.

Grey Font Astronomical object Coin Circle


I'm enjoying this. I haven't done one of these for a while so I am up for it. ..... Question is … are you??

Thanks for dropping in and please ask questions, comment and don't be afraid to critique.

Later

Paul
Oh my, if I only had 1/2 of your patience and talent. This will be amazing to watch.
 

Attachments

#32 ·
Tiny Pieces, Cutting and Management

Whenever I post one of these blogs people ask how I cut, handle and keep track of the tiny pieces. It's an acquired talent I guess. In my case I use things I've been taught , things I've read and some that I just made up.
Taking them one at a time the first would be …..........

"How are they cut"?

I'm sure that there are some out there who can cut this part on a scroll saw, but I'm certainly not one of them. On the chevalet however, it is quite easy and can be done reasonably quickly with a little practice. It is a little harder though when there's a camera between your face and the cut. This is the setup I used to get a close up view of the cut. You'll have to imagine the camera mounted on the tripod, I had to remove it to take the picture.
Wood Table Gas Machine Engineering


Here's the video of the cut.



That's it. The chevalet does the work. All I do is sit there and saw. Next up would be ….....

"How are the tiny pieces handled?"

Very carefully comes to mind but in reality tweezers are invaluable. I also make use of very sharp dental style picks. The next little video shows the part cut in the last one getting placed in the mockup picture on clear peel and stick paper.
This is the part after placement. The teeny tiny bit I'm playing with at the end of the video is the edge of the cap brim to the right of the rigging wire that will come in later. Now that one is small.

Wood Tints and shades Font Pattern Circle


Here's the video of the placement.



That leaves management.
In the photo below three copies of each part are placed in a marquetry tray in a more or less "exploded" view.This is essential when you have a lot of parts, particularly when there are similar ones like the port hole parts.

Rectangle Textile Picture frame Font Red


Working from this tray you can assemble the pictures on a suitable mounting board. For complex assemblies I like the traditional French method taught at ASFM of sticking the pieces, good side down, on stretched french kraft paper with hot hide glue. For simpler ones, I like the clear sticky film.

In this case, because I'm cutting piece by piece and all pieces are cut independently, I have the opportunity to "preview" the picture and make veneer changes if I wish as I go along. As an example the pin rail around the mast doesn't stand out enough from the cabin front here so I'll likely change it out to a lighter color.
To accomplish this preview I'm using the clear sticky film over the pattern. I can place the pieces good side down (the good sides have paper reinforcing on them) and see the colors. When using this material it's a good idea to keep it covered as it seems to lose it's tack if exposed. In this case I don't want the pieces very well adhered but if I did, pressing it will ramp up the holding power.

Rectangle Font Wood Paper Paper product


Boat Watercraft Mast Wood Sailboat


This is my progress as of today. I've only been getting a couple of hours a day in the shop ….....yard work, you know.

Boat Naval architecture Watercraft Vehicle Mast


Tomorrow I hope to cut the hull parts. I've chosen a walnut burl in the hope that it will simulate the mottled reflections in the hull paint.
Wish me luck.

Thanks for looking in.

Paul
 

Attachments

#33 ·
Tiny Pieces, Cutting and Management

Whenever I post one of these blogs people ask how I cut, handle and keep track of the tiny pieces. It's an acquired talent I guess. In my case I use things I've been taught , things I've read and some that I just made up.
Taking them one at a time the first would be …..........

"How are they cut"?

I'm sure that there are some out there who can cut this part on a scroll saw, but I'm certainly not one of them. On the chevalet however, it is quite easy and can be done reasonably quickly with a little practice. It is a little harder though when there's a camera between your face and the cut. This is the setup I used to get a close up view of the cut. You'll have to imagine the camera mounted on the tripod, I had to remove it to take the picture.
Wood Table Gas Machine Engineering


Here's the video of the cut.



That's it. The chevalet does the work. All I do is sit there and saw. Next up would be ….....

"How are the tiny pieces handled?"

Very carefully comes to mind but in reality tweezers are invaluable. I also make use of very sharp dental style picks. The next little video shows the part cut in the last one getting placed in the mockup picture on clear peel and stick paper.
This is the part after placement. The teeny tiny bit I'm playing with at the end of the video is the edge of the cap brim to the right of the rigging wire that will come in later. Now that one is small.

Wood Tints and shades Font Pattern Circle


Here's the video of the placement.



That leaves management.
In the photo below three copies of each part are placed in a marquetry tray in a more or less "exploded" view.This is essential when you have a lot of parts, particularly when there are similar ones like the port hole parts.

Rectangle Textile Picture frame Font Red


Working from this tray you can assemble the pictures on a suitable mounting board. For complex assemblies I like the traditional French method taught at ASFM of sticking the pieces, good side down, on stretched french kraft paper with hot hide glue. For simpler ones, I like the clear sticky film.

In this case, because I'm cutting piece by piece and all pieces are cut independently, I have the opportunity to "preview" the picture and make veneer changes if I wish as I go along. As an example the pin rail around the mast doesn't stand out enough from the cabin front here so I'll likely change it out to a lighter color.
To accomplish this preview I'm using the clear sticky film over the pattern. I can place the pieces good side down (the good sides have paper reinforcing on them) and see the colors. When using this material it's a good idea to keep it covered as it seems to lose it's tack if exposed. In this case I don't want the pieces very well adhered but if I did, pressing it will ramp up the holding power.

Rectangle Font Wood Paper Paper product


Boat Watercraft Mast Wood Sailboat


This is my progress as of today. I've only been getting a couple of hours a day in the shop ….....yard work, you know.

Boat Naval architecture Watercraft Vehicle Mast


Tomorrow I hope to cut the hull parts. I've chosen a walnut burl in the hope that it will simulate the mottled reflections in the hull paint.
Wish me luck.

Thanks for looking in.

Paul
Paul,

You make it look SO EASY!

Is the blade supporting the workpiece while you're twisting, etc. & cutting the little pieces?

I see the blade moving all around in the VEE of the Chevy… Is there a word of Caution in there somewhere… or do you just Go For It… like you did?
 

Attachments

#54 ·
More Pieces,... Hull and Sails

Not a lot to say today. Just thought I'd bring you up to date on the progress. I've had lots of yard work this week and the shop time I do get is divided between Friendship's marquetry and her real world spring maintenance. She will be hitting the water for the season in a week or two.

When I ended the last segment, I mentioned that I was planning to use a walnut burl for the hull in the hope that I could simulate the rippling reflections of the water in the shiny paint. Here's the candidate burl. I happened to have four sequence matched pieces so the four hulls should be identical. I chose the area of the burl carefully to try to best achieve the effect.

Brown Handwriting Rectangle Wood Font


Cutting the tiny pieces may generate the greater number of comments but lines like the convoluted waterline here are the ones that are the most demanding because a single piece of holly cut separately will have to fit this exactly over its entire length.

Wood Flooring Floor Art Automotive design


This was my first look at how the burl was going to work as a reflective surface. I won't know until the depth in the French polish starts to grow how good it is but I'm encouraged by what I can see here. You may judge for yourselves if I've completely lost it on this one.

The more observant among you may notice that the waterline doesn't fit the pattern line very well. That's because I refined that part of the drawing and couldn't change the one under the contact paper. All that matters is that the wave foam holly is cut from the same pattern generation as the hull waterline.

Boat Watercraft Naval architecture Art Vehicle


And here is the holly sea foam, boiling away from the bow and rolling away from the quarter. There will be some sand shading that will enhance this effect and add a third dimension. I'm really pleased with the fits.

Boat Naval architecture Watercraft Wood Paint


Last picture for today and you are right up to date with me. There is one area of sail left to go but it is crossed by some ropes and mast lacing so it will be several pieces. It's when you back out to the big picture like this that you realize how foolish you have been to try to include so many tiny details in the first stages. They will likely never be actually observed for themselves but with luck they will add a quality to the whole .

Boat Watercraft Vehicle Naval architecture Wood


Thanks for looking in.

Questions, comments and critiques are always welcome.

Paul
 

Attachments

#55 ·
More Pieces,... Hull and Sails

Not a lot to say today. Just thought I'd bring you up to date on the progress. I've had lots of yard work this week and the shop time I do get is divided between Friendship's marquetry and her real world spring maintenance. She will be hitting the water for the season in a week or two.

When I ended the last segment, I mentioned that I was planning to use a walnut burl for the hull in the hope that I could simulate the rippling reflections of the water in the shiny paint. Here's the candidate burl. I happened to have four sequence matched pieces so the four hulls should be identical. I chose the area of the burl carefully to try to best achieve the effect.

Brown Handwriting Rectangle Wood Font


Cutting the tiny pieces may generate the greater number of comments but lines like the convoluted waterline here are the ones that are the most demanding because a single piece of holly cut separately will have to fit this exactly over its entire length.

Wood Flooring Floor Art Automotive design


This was my first look at how the burl was going to work as a reflective surface. I won't know until the depth in the French polish starts to grow how good it is but I'm encouraged by what I can see here. You may judge for yourselves if I've completely lost it on this one.

The more observant among you may notice that the waterline doesn't fit the pattern line very well. That's because I refined that part of the drawing and couldn't change the one under the contact paper. All that matters is that the wave foam holly is cut from the same pattern generation as the hull waterline.

Boat Watercraft Naval architecture Art Vehicle


And here is the holly sea foam, boiling away from the bow and rolling away from the quarter. There will be some sand shading that will enhance this effect and add a third dimension. I'm really pleased with the fits.

Boat Naval architecture Watercraft Wood Paint


Last picture for today and you are right up to date with me. There is one area of sail left to go but it is crossed by some ropes and mast lacing so it will be several pieces. It's when you back out to the big picture like this that you realize how foolish you have been to try to include so many tiny details in the first stages. They will likely never be actually observed for themselves but with luck they will add a quality to the whole .

Boat Watercraft Vehicle Naval architecture Wood


Thanks for looking in.

Questions, comments and critiques are always welcome.

Paul
Holy moly, Paul! That's just 100% Wow!
 

Attachments

#71 ·
Choosing and Preparing the Background

One of the advantages of pre-assembling on clear shelf paper is that you can pick up the whole marquetry piece and place it over a variety of backgrounds to find the best look.

Almost any light veneer with some character will do for the sky and I had some mild birdseye maple that worked well. For the intervening land (Saltspring Island and Separation Point for locals) I wanted to use some myrtle burl that I had. It had dark and light areas to indicate depth of field as well as some grain lines that were close to simulating the terrain I wanted. I also had two in sequence…...but first I had to find some ocean.

The available choices were reduced by the both by the required size of the pieces and the fact that I wanted two sequence matched leaves to keep the images a perfect mirror. First I looked at some spaulted beech. It had some wonderful grain around the boat but was way too busy and could never work on this piece.

Boat Watercraft Naval architecture Mast Wood


Next I looked at some Cherry from my first pizza box of veneer from Lee Valley. It works but seems to lack drama.

Boat Watercraft Wood Mast Naval architecture


Those were all the choices that I had at home ….... but I have a friend. Elaine is not only a friend and neighbor (ten minutes) but a mentor and the owner of an impressive stock of veneer.

Table Wood Shelving Shelf Writing desk


After looking through her stock and and discussing various options I came home with the oak shown below. It doesn't look much more dramatic than the cherry did but I think the coarser grain will look a little better once finish is applied.

Boat Watercraft Mast Wood Sailboat


Next up was to cut the myrtle burl along some of its natural grain lines, re-assemble it and mate it to the other background pieces. This will give an idea of how the final pieces will look.
Boat Watercraft Vehicle Mast Wood


Finally the pattern had to be accurately located on the assembled backgrounds and then separated at the joint between the oak and the myrtle. This is because the 26" height of the whole background wouldn't cut in my chevalet's 18" saw frame.
So Here's the packet to be cut tomorrow morning. It will have the final say about how well I cut the boat pieces.

Rectangle Wood Textile Floor Flooring


Much of this is easier than it may look, just a process of following the steps and putting one foot ahead of the other. What really makes this one interesting is the mirror image thing. When paper re-enforcing on the good side, the good sides are not the same but opposite sides. When assembling packets The veneers go good side to good side, not all good sides up as usual and last but certainly not least, each background piece only fits its own background group. They are not interchangeable like all the other parts. I won't really breath easily until all the background cutting is done and assembled with the marquetry.

I'm done for tonight. Tomorrow will be an interesting day …. wish me luck.

Thanks for looking in,

Paul
 

Attachments

#72 ·
Choosing and Preparing the Background

One of the advantages of pre-assembling on clear shelf paper is that you can pick up the whole marquetry piece and place it over a variety of backgrounds to find the best look.

Almost any light veneer with some character will do for the sky and I had some mild birdseye maple that worked well. For the intervening land (Saltspring Island and Separation Point for locals) I wanted to use some myrtle burl that I had. It had dark and light areas to indicate depth of field as well as some grain lines that were close to simulating the terrain I wanted. I also had two in sequence…...but first I had to find some ocean.

The available choices were reduced by the both by the required size of the pieces and the fact that I wanted two sequence matched leaves to keep the images a perfect mirror. First I looked at some spaulted beech. It had some wonderful grain around the boat but was way too busy and could never work on this piece.

Boat Watercraft Naval architecture Mast Wood


Next I looked at some Cherry from my first pizza box of veneer from Lee Valley. It works but seems to lack drama.

Boat Watercraft Wood Mast Naval architecture


Those were all the choices that I had at home ….... but I have a friend. Elaine is not only a friend and neighbor (ten minutes) but a mentor and the owner of an impressive stock of veneer.

Table Wood Shelving Shelf Writing desk


After looking through her stock and and discussing various options I came home with the oak shown below. It doesn't look much more dramatic than the cherry did but I think the coarser grain will look a little better once finish is applied.

Boat Watercraft Mast Wood Sailboat


Next up was to cut the myrtle burl along some of its natural grain lines, re-assemble it and mate it to the other background pieces. This will give an idea of how the final pieces will look.
Boat Watercraft Vehicle Mast Wood


Finally the pattern had to be accurately located on the assembled backgrounds and then separated at the joint between the oak and the myrtle. This is because the 26" height of the whole background wouldn't cut in my chevalet's 18" saw frame.
So Here's the packet to be cut tomorrow morning. It will have the final say about how well I cut the boat pieces.

Rectangle Wood Textile Floor Flooring


Much of this is easier than it may look, just a process of following the steps and putting one foot ahead of the other. What really makes this one interesting is the mirror image thing. When paper re-enforcing on the good side, the good sides are not the same but opposite sides. When assembling packets The veneers go good side to good side, not all good sides up as usual and last but certainly not least, each background piece only fits its own background group. They are not interchangeable like all the other parts. I won't really breath easily until all the background cutting is done and assembled with the marquetry.

I'm done for tonight. Tomorrow will be an interesting day …. wish me luck.

Thanks for looking in,

Paul
Thats coming out nicely Paul, Can't wait to see whats next.
 

Attachments

#85 ·
Cutting and mounting the backgrounds.

The last segment ended with the background pattern glued to the packet for the lower part of the picture. This is just about the same photo except that I have added some support in the middle of the packet to keep it tight. Very fine veneer nails are hard to come by so I've used staples from a desk stapler. They are not the ideal solution and often crumple somewhat but for a thin packet like this one they actually work very well.

Rectangle Wood Wood stain Hardwood Pattern


The cutting has begun and it's looking OK so far.

Wood Handwriting Slope Font Art


This one's for Mike who remarked last time that he found it ironic that I was working on the marquetry and the actual boat at the same time. The photo shows the completed cut, still sitting in place, on top of one of Friendship's cabin sole boards that's in the shop for a coat of Cetol.

Wood Rectangle Wood stain Hardwood Art


Here's the lower background all cut out.

World Map Wood Rectangle Line


Time to check that the top and bottom still fit before getting into cutting the top.

Brown Rectangle Wood Flooring Table


In this closeup of the top of the pattern you can see pairs of pencil lines cutting across some of the rigging lines. These are "bridges" that will stay in the piece to hold the separate pieces until final assembly of the infill marquetry.
Triangle Pattern Parallel Symmetry Wood


This is how they look after cutting. The bridges can be removed after the background is glued to the assembly board on butcher's paper.

Brown Wood Triangle Tints and shades Art


The background is joined into one piece. When working in thin sliced veneers of this size, particularly burls, it is always a relief when the pieces don't change shape and size on you as you go. These will be fine.
The piece is 11 inches wide and about 28 high. That's Friendship's entire cabin sole under it here.

Brown Rectangle Wood Art Wall


And finally here is the complete background glued down to French kraft paper on the assembly board. Nothing left to do now but start assembling and see if all the pieces fit …. ........... :)

Wood Flooring Floor Paint Art


Enough for now, next time assembly.

Thanks for dropping in.

Comment, ask questions and critique if you wish, and keep smiling.

Paul
 

Attachments

#86 ·
Cutting and mounting the backgrounds.

The last segment ended with the background pattern glued to the packet for the lower part of the picture. This is just about the same photo except that I have added some support in the middle of the packet to keep it tight. Very fine veneer nails are hard to come by so I've used staples from a desk stapler. They are not the ideal solution and often crumple somewhat but for a thin packet like this one they actually work very well.

Rectangle Wood Wood stain Hardwood Pattern


The cutting has begun and it's looking OK so far.

Wood Handwriting Slope Font Art


This one's for Mike who remarked last time that he found it ironic that I was working on the marquetry and the actual boat at the same time. The photo shows the completed cut, still sitting in place, on top of one of Friendship's cabin sole boards that's in the shop for a coat of Cetol.

Wood Rectangle Wood stain Hardwood Art


Here's the lower background all cut out.

World Map Wood Rectangle Line


Time to check that the top and bottom still fit before getting into cutting the top.

Brown Rectangle Wood Flooring Table


In this closeup of the top of the pattern you can see pairs of pencil lines cutting across some of the rigging lines. These are "bridges" that will stay in the piece to hold the separate pieces until final assembly of the infill marquetry.
Triangle Pattern Parallel Symmetry Wood


This is how they look after cutting. The bridges can be removed after the background is glued to the assembly board on butcher's paper.

Brown Wood Triangle Tints and shades Art


The background is joined into one piece. When working in thin sliced veneers of this size, particularly burls, it is always a relief when the pieces don't change shape and size on you as you go. These will be fine.
The piece is 11 inches wide and about 28 high. That's Friendship's entire cabin sole under it here.

Brown Rectangle Wood Art Wall


And finally here is the complete background glued down to French kraft paper on the assembly board. Nothing left to do now but start assembling and see if all the pieces fit …. ........... :)

Wood Flooring Floor Paint Art


Enough for now, next time assembly.

Thanks for dropping in.

Comment, ask questions and critique if you wish, and keep smiling.

Paul
Paul, you are true to you LJ name on this one. I can't wait to see the finished product!!..............Jim
 

Attachments

#103 ·
Look, .... a Shiny Thing !

Disclaimer: I realize that I am digressing from the project today but not, I think you will agree, from the stated tilte of the series.

I got a little distracted today. First thing this morning I got word that I could launch my boat (requires equipment) on Wednesday which means no marquetry for a couple of days …. or not.

I started looking at the parts that need a little attention (read "a coat of Cetol slapped on) and decided that the cockpit locker lids and the cabin doors really had to come off and get refinished in the shop. I got the locker lids cleaned up and a first coat on them and then started scraping the doors. I just love my new Gramercy hold-fasts.

Wood Cutting board Tableware Cuisine Wood stain


As I was cleaning the doors up I couldn't stop thinking of the idea I had had a few weeks ago of doing an albatross on them. I've never liked the mahogany plywood panels in the doors. OK, how long can a simple albatross take? I've done the pattern before. Re-size, re-draw a bit, print and cut. How hard can that be?

This is a Boulle style packet for the albatross and the pau ferro and curly maple I've chosen for the ground.

Brown Rectangle Wood Flooring Floor


With the albatross cut out and assembled, I taped another pattern to the ground and cut it.

Azure Wood Art Font Rectangle


Here's a close up of the bird after fitting it in the piece by piece cut ground.

Bird Paint Wood Beak Feather


And here's where I am at the end of the day. Tomorrow morning I will mount the marquetry with epoxy and when it's cured I'll re-cut the portlight with a router. I may even add a ring.
In this photo of course the whole thing is backwards as we are looking at the filled back (glue side) of the marquetry.

Table Wood Wood stain Flooring Floor


I'm hoping to keep the other project moving as I finish the annual maintenance but at this point the real boat comes first.

Thanks fore looking in.

Paul
 

Attachments

#104 ·
Look, .... a Shiny Thing !

Disclaimer: I realize that I am digressing from the project today but not, I think you will agree, from the stated tilte of the series.

I got a little distracted today. First thing this morning I got word that I could launch my boat (requires equipment) on Wednesday which means no marquetry for a couple of days …. or not.

I started looking at the parts that need a little attention (read "a coat of Cetol slapped on) and decided that the cockpit locker lids and the cabin doors really had to come off and get refinished in the shop. I got the locker lids cleaned up and a first coat on them and then started scraping the doors. I just love my new Gramercy hold-fasts.

Wood Cutting board Tableware Cuisine Wood stain


As I was cleaning the doors up I couldn't stop thinking of the idea I had had a few weeks ago of doing an albatross on them. I've never liked the mahogany plywood panels in the doors. OK, how long can a simple albatross take? I've done the pattern before. Re-size, re-draw a bit, print and cut. How hard can that be?

This is a Boulle style packet for the albatross and the pau ferro and curly maple I've chosen for the ground.

Brown Rectangle Wood Flooring Floor


With the albatross cut out and assembled, I taped another pattern to the ground and cut it.

Azure Wood Art Font Rectangle


Here's a close up of the bird after fitting it in the piece by piece cut ground.

Bird Paint Wood Beak Feather


And here's where I am at the end of the day. Tomorrow morning I will mount the marquetry with epoxy and when it's cured I'll re-cut the portlight with a router. I may even add a ring.
In this photo of course the whole thing is backwards as we are looking at the filled back (glue side) of the marquetry.

Table Wood Wood stain Flooring Floor


I'm hoping to keep the other project moving as I finish the annual maintenance but at this point the real boat comes first.

Thanks fore looking in.

Paul
Great diversion.
 

Attachments

#121 ·
Shading and Assembly

Sorry to keep you in suspense Mike but I got a little busy with preparing the real Friendship for the water. I didn't completely abandon the project however. It just got fewer hours. The last photo I posted was of the background for the right door all set up on the assembly board ready for all those little pieces to get glued in.

First a word about the process. The ground is glued down with hot hide glue and then more glue is applied to a small area at a time and the parts in that area are assembled. Working a few pieces at a time, the process goes on until it is complete. In the case of this particular piece, I won't be adding the rigging lines until after the marquetry is assembled to its final substrate. The lines are cut but will be re-cut with a knife to clean them up and straighten any spots where it may be needed.

I got a little carried away and got the whole hull done before I stopped to take a photo so the first one shows the boat itself mostly complete and the jib being fitted. This is where it tried to go sideways on me.

Boat Watercraft Wood Sailing Boats and boating--Equipment and supplies


I'm not going to go into sand shading here in general as I have covered it before as have better marqueteurs than I. What I will go into is the learning experience I had on this assembly. In the photo above the shaded jib is in place at the bottom but about a half inch to the right at the top. That's caused by the drying and re-hydrating of the large piece of veneer. It looks bad but I've dealt with this before on "Little Cabinetree" and was half expecting it. The bottom line is that the piece was the right shape once and you just have to re-balance the moisture to return it to that shape. Sounds easy right?

In the photo below I have glued down the bottom and twisted the top into its proper place. Then with a little mist of water, a hair dryer and slight pressure from my hand I slowly brought it back to shape.

Boat Watercraft Wood Mast Boats and boating--Equipment and supplies


In this one the outer half of the main has been over-shaded (I'm going to replace it later) and has gotten really out of shape. With the same process in the next photos it is coaxed back into a fit.

Wood Triangle Art Tints and shades Composite material


Wood Triangle Watercraft Beige Composite material


Wood Triangle Boats and boating--Equipment and supplies Tints and shades Art


The learning that went on was about why the shading went so badly. I've done a fair amount of reasonably good sand shading but still I did a very poor job on these pieces. I believe that the problem was that I didn't have a large enough sand container with deep enough sand to shade these large pieces while maintaining adequate control over the process. I also think that 1/54" thick holly burns really quickly.

Enough with my problems. What you really wanted to see was if all these bits would fit inside those borders, right?

Well here they are.

Boat Watercraft Cabinetry Vehicle Wood


Boat Watercraft Mast Boats and boating--Equipment and supplies Sailboat


I'm not all that happy with the shading on either of them but they will do. The important thing is that I get to do a better job with the other two (below). I think they will be wall art and as such will have to be better.

Rectangle Wood Graffiti Art Font


Thanks for dropping by.

Paul
 

Attachments

#122 ·
Shading and Assembly

Sorry to keep you in suspense Mike but I got a little busy with preparing the real Friendship for the water. I didn't completely abandon the project however. It just got fewer hours. The last photo I posted was of the background for the right door all set up on the assembly board ready for all those little pieces to get glued in.

First a word about the process. The ground is glued down with hot hide glue and then more glue is applied to a small area at a time and the parts in that area are assembled. Working a few pieces at a time, the process goes on until it is complete. In the case of this particular piece, I won't be adding the rigging lines until after the marquetry is assembled to its final substrate. The lines are cut but will be re-cut with a knife to clean them up and straighten any spots where it may be needed.

I got a little carried away and got the whole hull done before I stopped to take a photo so the first one shows the boat itself mostly complete and the jib being fitted. This is where it tried to go sideways on me.

Boat Watercraft Wood Sailing Boats and boating--Equipment and supplies


I'm not going to go into sand shading here in general as I have covered it before as have better marqueteurs than I. What I will go into is the learning experience I had on this assembly. In the photo above the shaded jib is in place at the bottom but about a half inch to the right at the top. That's caused by the drying and re-hydrating of the large piece of veneer. It looks bad but I've dealt with this before on "Little Cabinetree" and was half expecting it. The bottom line is that the piece was the right shape once and you just have to re-balance the moisture to return it to that shape. Sounds easy right?

In the photo below I have glued down the bottom and twisted the top into its proper place. Then with a little mist of water, a hair dryer and slight pressure from my hand I slowly brought it back to shape.

Boat Watercraft Wood Mast Boats and boating--Equipment and supplies


In this one the outer half of the main has been over-shaded (I'm going to replace it later) and has gotten really out of shape. With the same process in the next photos it is coaxed back into a fit.

Wood Triangle Art Tints and shades Composite material


Wood Triangle Watercraft Beige Composite material


Wood Triangle Boats and boating--Equipment and supplies Tints and shades Art


The learning that went on was about why the shading went so badly. I've done a fair amount of reasonably good sand shading but still I did a very poor job on these pieces. I believe that the problem was that I didn't have a large enough sand container with deep enough sand to shade these large pieces while maintaining adequate control over the process. I also think that 1/54" thick holly burns really quickly.

Enough with my problems. What you really wanted to see was if all these bits would fit inside those borders, right?

Well here they are.

Boat Watercraft Cabinetry Vehicle Wood


Boat Watercraft Mast Boats and boating--Equipment and supplies Sailboat


I'm not all that happy with the shading on either of them but they will do. The important thing is that I get to do a better job with the other two (below). I think they will be wall art and as such will have to be better.

Rectangle Wood Graffiti Art Font


Thanks for dropping by.

Paul
Very nice progress, Paul!!..............Jim
 

Attachments

#144 ·
Remember the Shiny Thing ? ... the saga of a senior moment

This is not a pretty tale I tell today. I am calling it a "senior moment" but in fact I, being a little precocious, have been doing this sort of thing off and on since I was much younger. The term "Brain Fart" works better but I couldn't use that as a title.

In the photo below I have taken the two veneer layups and DS taped them in a couple of spots to some 1/4" MDF pieces exactly the same size. The MDF will allow me to clamp these veneer parts into the recesses in the doors. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see that there's a difference between the way the pieces are taped on. They should both be paper re-enforced side down (on the MDF), but somehow one seems to be paper side up.

This means that when all glued up the albatross will be in the left door as he should be, right side up as he should be, .... but wait, won't he be flying to the left? Wasn't he supposed to be flying to the right?

Wood Art Paint Dishware Wood stain


How many of you knew that If you heat (less than fully cured) epoxy, it will soften a little and allow you a chance for redemption? Hair dryer putty knife and a lot of care … but miracle of miracles, it came off with minor damage.

Table Wood Flooring Gas Cutting mat


Now the semi hard epoxy has been removed from the door but remains on the veneer, deemed to fragile for the hard scraping the plywood took. This is the point where I should have chucked it and made a new one…... but of course that wouldn't make as good a story, would it?

Table Wood Floor Flooring Art


Here I am starting to scrape the now correctly mounted marquetry. Notice the high spots? I guess the residue of bits of epoxy on the veneer prevented even pressure in the press. So the fun begins.

Wood Art Gas Artifact Font


The first thing that happened was that the holly decided to splinter under the scraper as it got thinner. No problem, just cut a couple of new pieces.
Brown Bird Paint Wood Beak


And then there were the legs and that bit of background. OK we can do this. ..... (fool!)
Wood Line Tool Twig Bicycle handlebar


That went well. (Except that the whole tail needed to be replaced as I had sanded through it in a couple of places.) Just a final clean up and … wait is the the background sanded through now?
Bird Paint Wood Feather Art


Fortunately I found another piece of pau ferro that was close in color and grain, did a rubbing and
got the pieces in.
Bird Paint Wood Art Grey


This is what I ended up with. I'm not happy with them but I'm very happy I got them on by launching time. I will make new panels and replace the whole center of both doors …. AT MY LEISURE. These will do as long as no one looks too closely.
Wood Rectangle Door Fixture Dead bolt


Here they are in situ. The thing that comes to mind when I look at this is that the maple is too light in color. The new panels will have skies of cedar or a cedar like tone. That makes junking these a little easier to take.
Boat Watercraft Naval architecture Wood Vehicle


But all that will have to wait. Friendship's all rigged, the wind blows and all of a sudden a little shabby marquetry seems a very small problem indeed. Prepare to cast off !

Water Boat Naval architecture Boats and boating--Equipment and supplies Watercraft


Thanks for looking in.

Paul
 

Attachments

#145 ·
Remember the Shiny Thing ? ... the saga of a senior moment

This is not a pretty tale I tell today. I am calling it a "senior moment" but in fact I, being a little precocious, have been doing this sort of thing off and on since I was much younger. The term "Brain Fart" works better but I couldn't use that as a title.

In the photo below I have taken the two veneer layups and DS taped them in a couple of spots to some 1/4" MDF pieces exactly the same size. The MDF will allow me to clamp these veneer parts into the recesses in the doors. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see that there's a difference between the way the pieces are taped on. They should both be paper re-enforced side down (on the MDF), but somehow one seems to be paper side up.

This means that when all glued up the albatross will be in the left door as he should be, right side up as he should be, .... but wait, won't he be flying to the left? Wasn't he supposed to be flying to the right?

Wood Art Paint Dishware Wood stain


How many of you knew that If you heat (less than fully cured) epoxy, it will soften a little and allow you a chance for redemption? Hair dryer putty knife and a lot of care … but miracle of miracles, it came off with minor damage.

Table Wood Flooring Gas Cutting mat


Now the semi hard epoxy has been removed from the door but remains on the veneer, deemed to fragile for the hard scraping the plywood took. This is the point where I should have chucked it and made a new one…... but of course that wouldn't make as good a story, would it?

Table Wood Floor Flooring Art


Here I am starting to scrape the now correctly mounted marquetry. Notice the high spots? I guess the residue of bits of epoxy on the veneer prevented even pressure in the press. So the fun begins.

Wood Art Gas Artifact Font


The first thing that happened was that the holly decided to splinter under the scraper as it got thinner. No problem, just cut a couple of new pieces.
Brown Bird Paint Wood Beak


And then there were the legs and that bit of background. OK we can do this. ..... (fool!)
Wood Line Tool Twig Bicycle handlebar


That went well. (Except that the whole tail needed to be replaced as I had sanded through it in a couple of places.) Just a final clean up and … wait is the the background sanded through now?
Bird Paint Wood Feather Art


Fortunately I found another piece of pau ferro that was close in color and grain, did a rubbing and
got the pieces in.
Bird Paint Wood Art Grey


This is what I ended up with. I'm not happy with them but I'm very happy I got them on by launching time. I will make new panels and replace the whole center of both doors …. AT MY LEISURE. These will do as long as no one looks too closely.
Wood Rectangle Door Fixture Dead bolt


Here they are in situ. The thing that comes to mind when I look at this is that the maple is too light in color. The new panels will have skies of cedar or a cedar like tone. That makes junking these a little easier to take.
Boat Watercraft Naval architecture Wood Vehicle


But all that will have to wait. Friendship's all rigged, the wind blows and all of a sudden a little shabby marquetry seems a very small problem indeed. Prepare to cast off !

Water Boat Naval architecture Boats and boating--Equipment and supplies Watercraft


Thanks for looking in.

Paul
Beautiful!

... as usual…

Thank you very much…
 

Attachments

#168 ·
Clearing up the Distractions /Back to the Project.

Well the wind was blowing and I did go sailing but it was somewhat spoiled by having to look at those doors. Between the poor marquetry and the just plain wrong colors in my veneer choices I knew I couldn't live with them for long. So off I set to replace them.

First of all I cut a new albatross but in more subdued colors this time, maple and walnut instead of holly and grey.

Bird Wood Art Creative arts Rectangle


In for a penny, in for a pound I guess. Why not put a couple of my favorite orcas on the insides? This time my sea color is mahogany which is the trim wood on the boat already. I used cedar for the skies, also already extensively used on the boat.

Bird Green Rectangle Line Beak


Since I was going to rout the panels out and replace them I thought I'd do a better finish on the ports. These are the inside and outside rings I made up on the lathe.

Wood Gas Audio equipment Circle Auto part


I used my pin router to cut accurate circles.

Wood Floor Tool Drill Wood stain


Here they are installed. I'll post better detail photos in a project post soon. I think you have to agree that the veneer choices better suit the application. The old ones below just seem to clash with the boat to me.

Boat Watercraft Naval architecture Boats and boating--Equipment and supplies Wood

Boat Watercraft Naval architecture Wood Vehicle


And finally, here are the insides. They have the same field as the outsides but different marqutery.

Wood Naval architecture Classic Vehicle Watercraft


So with the distractions gone there is movement on the original Friendship marquetry back in the shop. Remember? The actual subject of this blog. It seems like a long time ago, but I'm back to it at last, at least on days without whitecaps in the bay.

Boat Watercraft Naval architecture Wood Tableware


I'll catch you up on that one next time.

Thanks for looking in.

Paul
 

Attachments

#169 ·
Clearing up the Distractions /Back to the Project.

Well the wind was blowing and I did go sailing but it was somewhat spoiled by having to look at those doors. Between the poor marquetry and the just plain wrong colors in my veneer choices I knew I couldn't live with them for long. So off I set to replace them.

First of all I cut a new albatross but in more subdued colors this time, maple and walnut instead of holly and grey.

Bird Wood Art Creative arts Rectangle


In for a penny, in for a pound I guess. Why not put a couple of my favorite orcas on the insides? This time my sea color is mahogany which is the trim wood on the boat already. I used cedar for the skies, also already extensively used on the boat.

Bird Green Rectangle Line Beak


Since I was going to rout the panels out and replace them I thought I'd do a better finish on the ports. These are the inside and outside rings I made up on the lathe.

Wood Gas Audio equipment Circle Auto part


I used my pin router to cut accurate circles.

Wood Floor Tool Drill Wood stain


Here they are installed. I'll post better detail photos in a project post soon. I think you have to agree that the veneer choices better suit the application. The old ones below just seem to clash with the boat to me.

Boat Watercraft Naval architecture Boats and boating--Equipment and supplies Wood

Boat Watercraft Naval architecture Wood Vehicle


And finally, here are the insides. They have the same field as the outsides but different marqutery.

Wood Naval architecture Classic Vehicle Watercraft


So with the distractions gone there is movement on the original Friendship marquetry back in the shop. Remember? The actual subject of this blog. It seems like a long time ago, but I'm back to it at last, at least on days without whitecaps in the bay.

Boat Watercraft Naval architecture Wood Tableware


I'll catch you up on that one next time.

Thanks for looking in.

Paul
Nice! Such a sweet boat with all the personal detail. I love it..
 

Attachments

#189 ·
Update on the Four Friendship Motifs plus a Video

When I left off (over a month ago) to chase shiny things and re-do a couple of real boat issues, I had just finished assembling the two motifs for the desk doors on mounting boards. I had made a video to show part of the assembly but hoped to do a better job of it when I did the second set. It's not that I thought this one was so bad as that I wanted to show the colors coming together. As it happens I didn't get a better video so I'll show you this one. It's only real drawback is that in this particular assembly the re-enforcing paper is up so you don't see the colors of the pieces. That's because this is the mirror image door. At any rate you'll get an idea of how I do the assembly and ... how damn fast I am!



After the assemblies on butcher's paper the two door motifs were pressed and backed with some oak book matches. I've thrown in the photo of the original desk for comparison. You may notice that I re-did the sails with the particularly bad shading.

Wood Tints and shades Art Rectangle Triangle


Computer Furniture Table Personal computer Computer desk


And here are the backs.

Wood Rectangle Wood stain Hardwood Plank


Next up was to get the other two assembled. I chose to go with my favorite shape, the oval and surround it with some really nice redwood burl (courtesy of my good friend Elaine).

Table Wood Art Eyewear Engineering


The setup shown here differs a bit from the one in the video a month back as in the mean time I made a wonderful tool that is a great helper in this work. It is lying on the lower right side of the board. I also acquired some pieces of thick acrylic to place over assembled areas. This is a trick from ASFM and it works a treat. It keeps the new pieces nice and flat and doesn't stick down.

Wood Art Plywood Circle Watercraft


Here is the teaser I dropped at the end of the saga of the cabin doors . It shows the almost fully assembled wall art version. As of today, both are at this point and they will be getting pressed soon.

Boat Watercraft Naval architecture Wood Tableware


There's still a long way to go here. I will be cutting in all the rigging by hand after the pieces are pressed onto substrates. I have no idea how well (or badly) that will go. Wish me luck.

Thanks for looking in.

Questions etc. always welcome.

Paul
 

Attachments

#190 ·
Update on the Four Friendship Motifs plus a Video

When I left off (over a month ago) to chase shiny things and re-do a couple of real boat issues, I had just finished assembling the two motifs for the desk doors on mounting boards. I had made a video to show part of the assembly but hoped to do a better job of it when I did the second set. It's not that I thought this one was so bad as that I wanted to show the colors coming together. As it happens I didn't get a better video so I'll show you this one. It's only real drawback is that in this particular assembly the re-enforcing paper is up so you don't see the colors of the pieces. That's because this is the mirror image door. At any rate you'll get an idea of how I do the assembly and ... how damn fast I am!



After the assemblies on butcher's paper the two door motifs were pressed and backed with some oak book matches. I've thrown in the photo of the original desk for comparison. You may notice that I re-did the sails with the particularly bad shading.

Wood Tints and shades Art Rectangle Triangle


Computer Furniture Table Personal computer Computer desk


And here are the backs.

Wood Rectangle Wood stain Hardwood Plank


Next up was to get the other two assembled. I chose to go with my favorite shape, the oval and surround it with some really nice redwood burl (courtesy of my good friend Elaine).

Table Wood Art Eyewear Engineering


The setup shown here differs a bit from the one in the video a month back as in the mean time I made a wonderful tool that is a great helper in this work. It is lying on the lower right side of the board. I also acquired some pieces of thick acrylic to place over assembled areas. This is a trick from ASFM and it works a treat. It keeps the new pieces nice and flat and doesn't stick down.

Wood Art Plywood Circle Watercraft


Here is the teaser I dropped at the end of the saga of the cabin doors . It shows the almost fully assembled wall art version. As of today, both are at this point and they will be getting pressed soon.

Boat Watercraft Naval architecture Wood Tableware


There's still a long way to go here. I will be cutting in all the rigging by hand after the pieces are pressed onto substrates. I have no idea how well (or badly) that will go. Wish me luck.

Thanks for looking in.

Questions etc. always welcome.

Paul
Paul you have done a wonderful work, thanks for the video.
 

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