To Make as Perfectly as Possible: Roubo on Marquetry

[Droogs]

Well, today it was confirmed on a visit to hospital that I will be getting my foot fused sometime in November (I apparently have arthritis in my foot as a result of being stupid when young and having broken it 4 times over the years). As a consequence of this I was told that I will be bed bound for at least 2 - 3 weeks. Now this is a bit of a problem for me as I think getting up at half eight on a Sunday is a long lie-in. So to help pass the time I'm considering getting some reading matterial in. I've just got Joseph Holtzappfels various volumes and as maquetry is a passion, I was thinking about getting the above book. Do any of the esteemed members here have this already and having read it what are your opinions? also any suggestions gladly welcomed, whether digital or paper

rgds
Droogs

 

[AndyT]

I bought it soon after it came out and read it straight through, and enjoyed it even though I've no immediate plans for doing any marquetry. I'm just interested in old methods of work, and if I see some elaborate furniture on display my questions are all about how it was made.
The great strength of this book is that it gives you a clear translation of the original text but also supplements it with little photo essays on methods, done by Donald C Williams who has absorbed and understood the practicalities. These bridge the gap between understanding the history and working as a craftsman now. My only gripe is that the photos in these sections are quite small. (Iirc they are bigger in the deluxe edition.)

But overall it's an astoundingly good book and covers stuff I've never seen documented anywhere else. The level of detail is comparable to the Holtzapffel books.
I am looking forward to the volume on furniture when it's available.

(For other suggestions, don't forget the sticky https://www.ukworkshop.co.uk/forums/free-downloadable-woodworking-books-plans-ref-sites-t82220.html.)

 

[bugbear]

I bought it soon after it came out and read it straight through, and enjoyed it even though I've no immediate plans for doing any marquetry. I'm just interested in old methods of work, and if I see some elaborate furniture on display my questions are all about how it was made.
The great strength of this book is that it gives you a clear translation of the original text but also supplements it with little photo essays on methods, done by Donald C Williams who has absorbed and understood the practicalities. These bridge the gap between understanding the history and working as a craftsman now. My only gripe is that the photos in these sections are quite small. (Iirc they are bigger in the deluxe edition.)

But overall it's an astoundingly good book and covers stuff I've never seen documented anywhere else. The level of detail is comparable to the Holtzapffel books.
I am looking forward to the volume on furniture when it's available.

(For other suggestions, don't forget the sticky https://www.ukworkshop.co.uk/forums/free-downloadable-woodworking-books-plans-ref-sites-t82220.html.)

I saw a passing reference in a 1950's book to inlay practioners having to (or preferring to) make their own blades, in the days before mass produced fret blades were good/fine enough.

I have never a reference as to how they did this.

Is it in this book?

BugBear

 

[AndyT]

I saw a passing reference in a 1950's book to inlay practioners having to (or preferring to) make their own blades, in the days before mass produced fret blades were good/fine enough.

I have never a reference as to how they did this.

Is it in this book?

BugBear

Blade manufacture is only briefly touched on, without saying whether it was done by marquetry practitioners or by specialist suppliers:

"The blades of cut-out saws are made with some pieces of watch springs split into different widths, from half a line, [about 1mm] up to a line-and-a-half at most, by 5 to 6 thumbs [about 150mm] in length." (pp 105-6)

You probably know the similar description in Holtzapffel's "Turning and Mechanical Manipulation" vol 2 "The Principles of Cutting Tools" which includes a description of how the teeth were filed.

I wish Fig 658 was clearer - if anyone has ever tried this, please post a photo. But maybe in a fresh thread, as I don't think Droogs will be allowed to try it out when propped up on the pillows - unless in pursuit of some bad pun about bed-saws!

 

[Droogs]

Thanks Andy, added to the list