DIY Network

Marquetry Techniques From "DIY Tools & Techniques" episode DIT-321

David Thiel and guest Jane Burke discuss marquetry techniques. In marquetry, designs are created from different species of wood veneer to cover an entire surface.

Completed marquetry design

Veneer selection

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	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C
	Figure D
	Figure E
	Figure F
	Figure G

1. First, select a pattern. Burke finds interesting designs and prints them out on paper. After selecting your pattern, tape to a piece of veneer (figure A).

2. To transfer the pattern onto the veneer, use a craft knife to trace the lines. In this stage, you are only inscribing the pattern onto the veneer (figure B). Do not cut all the way through the veneer.

3. Remove the paper pattern from the veneer. Use your craft knife to follow the lines and cut out the pieces of the design.

4. Place another piece of veneer behind the first piece and secure with masking tape.

5. Use your craft knife to inscribe the same shape out of the second piece of veneer (figure C). Stay as close as possible to the lines. (Accuracy is very important in this stage.) If the piece is not the exact shape, it won’t fit properly and you will have to cut it again.

6. Remove the tape and pull second piece of veneer from beneath the first.

7. Cut shape inscribed in the second piece of veneer. Make sure the shape fits properly into the hole you cut out of the have first piece of veneer. If not, repeat steps 4-7.

8. Dilute glue slightly with water and apply around the edges of the hole cut from the first piece of veneer. Place the shape into the hole with the glued edges. Place a piece of masking tape over the shape while the glue dries.

9. Continue steps 3-8 until entire pattern is complete. Use as many species of wood veneer as needed to create different colors in your pattern.

10. Apply woodworker’s glue to the substrate, then apply glue on the back of the finished marquetry. Place the glued side of the marquetry piece on top of the glued substrate.

11. Tape the piece of marquetry to the substrate with a little bit of masking tape. This will hold the pieces together while in the vacuum press.

12. Use a vacuum press to permanently attach the marquetry to the substrate. Put wax paper on top so your project doesn’t become glued to the vacuum bag (figure D). A pump (figure E) removes the air from the vacuum bag and presses the veneer flat so that you don’t have to use clamps. Leave your project in the vacuum bag for 2 hours, then remove.

13. Sand with 120-grit sandpaper and then spray on a coat of finish to complete the project (figure F).

14. To get the 3D effect of this piece, place the sections of replacement veneer in a pan filled with hot sand before cutting out the shapes (figure G). Do not allow the veneer to touch the bottom of the pan. Place the veneer in the pan for about 5 seconds and when you remove it, you will see some shading variations on the veneer.

RESOURCES :

Noden Adjust-a-Bench
Geoffrey Noden Furniture Design
Website: www.adjustabench.com

GUESTS :

Jane Burke, Marquetry Artist
Video: The Art of Marquetry
Greentree Creations
3754 Frederica Lane
Duluth, GA 30096
Phone: 770-814-8448
E-mail: jburke@gtcreations.com
Website: www.gtcreations.com