What is the difference between marquetry and inlay?

Marquetry is a decorative technique where wood veneers are sawn into a pattern and then assembled like a jigsaw. Inlay is similar but instead of assembling a large panel of veneer, the decoration is inset into a recess cut into a larger panel of wood.

toolsforworkingwood.com - Marquetry And Inlay On The Cheap

How long will 500k last in retirement?

If you retire with $500k in assets, the 4% rule says that you should be able to withdraw $20,000 per year for a 30-year (or longer) retirement. So,...

Last updated May 16, 2021

Is there such a thing as a battery powered heater?

Battery based heaters, or hand warmers, are a great portable option for sporting events, camping, or being outdoors during cold weather. The...

Last updated Aug 15, 2020

Promotion

Joel's Blog Marquetry And Inlay On The Cheap 04/12/2011 Marquetry is a decorative technique where wood veneers are sawn into a pattern and then assembled like a jigsaw. Inlay is similar but instead of assembling a large panel of veneer, the decoration is inset into a recess cut into a larger panel of wood. I can think of three ways of doing marquetry and inlay. The first is actually doing it. While not an impossible skill to learn, like any high end technique it requires training, practice, and time. Both historically and today work by the masters of these techniques command high prices amongst a well heeled customer base. Take a look at two modern masters: W. Patrick Edwards does reproductions of classic 18th century French work. He works entirely by hand using traditional techniques. Silas Kopf uses a wide variety of techniques and works entirely in a modern vocabulary of design and theme.

Both men are at the top of the game.

The second way of doing "marquetry" is by painting it on. I've seen a lot of this and done right it reads like marquetry and is pretty simple for anyone with a steady hand to do. Up close of course it's pretty apparent it's paint. You can apply a thin layer of paint so the underlying grain reads through or a thick layer that is more opaque. The third technique of "marquetry" was very popular, especially in England up to around the 1930's. As in the US where the popular taste was Colonial Revival, in England mid priced Victorian copies were popular. The solution to getting all that fancy marquetry at a common price was ... Decals! (or transfers as they say in England) In the picture above is a catalog of designs and some color samples from the J. H. Butcher & Co. dating from 1913. A furniture maker would simply buy whatever decals they wanted to decorate the piece, and it was fairly simple to apply. I first saw this decoration as a kid in my grandparents house. It looks pretty good for what it is, especially if it's under a glass top, or there are some doilies on the furniture. The catalog contains every style of decoration including the latest Art Nouveau styles. The catalog is mostly printed in black and white but the transfers are promised in "natural inlay colors". I mention these techniques because while today we might not want to duplicate mediocre Victorian furniture, not everyone has the budget for the real thing. Low budget should not require us to surround ourselves with knock-offs of post war Danish designs, or minimalist versions of the latter as found in Ikea. Most of my furniture I have made is Arts and Crafts style, which I like but is also within my range of skill (I can't carve or inlay) but I think in the hands of a better designer than I these techniques of painting on detail, creating decals, and other shortcuts might make some basic bespoke furniture more interesting to the modern eye and differentiate it from mass production styles with not so much increase in cost. Join the conversation Last Next The opinions expressed in this blog are those of the blog's author and guests and in no way reflect the views of Tools for Working Wood.

Why are houses in Mexico made of concrete?

Concrete is a material that is widely used in the construction of houses in Mexico. There are several reasons why this is the case. Concrete is...

Last updated May 24, 2018

Do you need a water tank for solar panels?

If you decide to install solar thermal in your home you will need a hot water tank to store the hot water produced from your collector – the...

Last updated Mar 25, 2021

Promotion

Is shopsmith still in business?

from 1947 to the late 1950s. Yuba Power Products, Inc. of Cleveland bought Magna Engineering, but soon sold the Shopsmith line to some employees, who used the name Magna American Corp. They also eventually failed to make a go of it, and the Shopsmith manufacture ceased in 1966.

vintagemachinery.org - Shopsmith, Inc. - History | VintageMachinery.org

History

If you have information to add to this entry, please contact the

Shopsmith tools were made in San Francisco by Magna Engineering Corp. from 1947 to the late 1950s. Yuba Power Products, Inc. of Cleveland bought Magna Engineering, but soon sold the Shopsmith line to some employees, who used the name Magna American Corp. They also eventually failed to make a go of it, and the Shopsmith manufacture ceased in 1966. Shopsmith, Inc., was formed in 1972 to resume manufacturing using all the original equipment. This new company began operations in Troy, but moved to Dayton in the late 1970s. Montgomery Ward sold "Shopsmith" tools, but they were lesser-quality items manufactured by a third party. In the 1960s, Magna/Yuba made the Sawsmith, a radial arm saw that could be provided with a set of attachments à la the Shopsmith 5-in-1. One unusual feature of the Sawsmith was that the blade could be mounted on either end of the motor shaft, which made it easier for left-handed users and also provided more flexibility when doing miter cuts. In the 1980s & 1990s Shopsmith manufactured a planer, scroll saw, 11" bandsaw, and 4" jointer. A version of Shopsmith is still in business and has a web site.

Information Sources

What is the strongest woodworking joint?

mortise and tenon joint What is the strongest woodworking joint? For excellent stability, the mortise and tenon joint is a great choice. It's a...

Last updated Sep 9, 2018

Does foam rubber make good insulation?

Silicone foam/sponge are great thermal insulators for a few reasons: They are blown materials, so the cells hold off transfer of heat well. They...

Last updated Dec 24, 2021

Promotion

How much would it cost to build a 12 by 16 shed?

Cost Estimator by Size SHED SIZE TYPICAL COST RANGE 10×12 (120 sq. ft) $2,400 to $21,000 12×12 (144 sq. ft) $2,880 to $25,200 10×16 (160 sq. ft)...

Last updated Sep 28, 2022

Promotion

Is it cheaper to mix your own concrete?

With the cost of living increasing and the price of construction materials rising, one of the least expensive ways to get concrete is to mix your...

Last updated Jan 4, 2020