| Crafting a Parquet Tile |
| Handcrafting a Parquet Tile |
From "Trade School"
episode DTRS-107 |
|
|
(Continued from page )
5. To laminate the components together, Wendy places a piece of precut plywood in the template, then rolls on a thick layer of waterproof wood glue over the plywood (figure H). Then she places a precut veneer and a highlight strip between more plywood keepers and presses them together using the toggle clamps. With the keepers pressing the veneers together, she fastens the keepers in place with a staple gun (figure I). At this point she lifts the panel out of the template using a screwdriver.6. Next, she places the panels in Peter's homemade glue press, which delivers 80 pounds of pressure per square inch, thus creating a tighter, more uniform bond (figure J). After allowing the panels to cure for half an hour, she removes them from the press.
7. Next, with the subpieces properly laminated, Wendy uses the table saw to cut the panels down to size. Starting on the side opposite the highlight strip, she trims along one edge of the panel, cutting off at the keepers (figure K). Before cutting the other side, Peter double-checks the width using a set of calipers and adjusts the table saw fence to this measurement (figure L). Then Wendy continues ripping the panels to remove the other keepers. With all the panels are trimmed properly, she cuts them to length with a quick cut on the miter saw (figure M).
8. So that they fit within the tile pattern, Wendy cuts the larger subpieces at a 45-degree angle on the table saw. To simplify the process, she employs a handmade sled template that fits onto the table saw, allowing it to slide back and forth while keeping the subpiece steady. She places the first of many subpieces against the sled's fence and screws in two triangular keepers that keep each subpiece steady as she makes her cuts (figure N).9. With all the subpieces laminated and shaped, Wendy can now assemble them into large parquet tiles. Using a steel square, Peter builds another template by first securing two straight particleboards onto the wood table at a 90-degree angle. Then he butts a precut square of plywood against the straight boards. He secures two keepers on the opposite sides of the plywood to hold it in place. Next he stacks another tile-sized square of plywood and staples a perimeter of straight plywood around it (figure O). 10. Wendy removes the top square of plywood and begins to test-fit 14 subpieces into the correct pattern (figure P). For aesthetic reasons, she takes time to pair subpieces of similar grain and color. To finesse the final pieces into place, she lightly taps with a rubber mallet.
Once satisfied with the fit, she removes the pieces, transferring them to the side in the same order. Then, after Peter rolls a thick layer of glue upon the plywood square (figure Q), she again assembles the pieces, using the mallet when needed. Once the pieces are fitted, she places the entire tile in the press, where they cure for approximately half an hour.
Once the tiles have been removed from the press, Wendy uses a handheld router to create grooves along the sides of each tile. During installation, this "groove in groove" style utilizes thin plywood splines to make joining the parquet tiles simpler and more effective (figure R).
In the next segment, Wendy and Peter prepare for the installation of the parquet floor.
| 
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
