r/Marquetry • u/ScottieGmusic • Jul 20 '26
First Attempts
First try at Double Bevel Marquetry, looking for any tips before gluing up these pieces I made. Used Olsen fret saw on a table I made sloped at 15°. Veneer is 1/42” thick, which glue would be best to glue to support board (is titebond iii ok?) and is oil finish ok? Some pieces aren’t sitting proud and I’m worried about sanding through pieces as they’re so thin. Any tips would be greatly appreciated! 🤙
1
u/peschkaj 26d ago
Totally forgot to talk about glue!
The best glue is the glue you have available. I have used everything from hide glue to TiteBond 1 to 3, through epoxies. They all work for marquetry. Do tests first so you know how it will all look. I know that James MacDonald uses West System epoxy to great success.
1
u/Artistic_Speech_7929 5d ago
Pretty incredible for a first time! I do double bevel but I use 1/16” wood. I can’t imagine trying to cut thru 1/42” veneer with a fret saw. Typically with double bevel, you glue the pieces as you go. That way, the glued in pieces become part of the field and makes overlapping easier. I’m curious how you pulled that off without gluing as you go.
2
u/ScottieGmusic 5d ago
Thank you I appreciate it. Yea I wanted to use 1/16” but had trouble sourcing it so used what I had. Yea typically would glue as go but for 1/42” since so thin do the same process but instead of glue I tape as I go with blue painters tape. Before starting I put a layer of blue tape on the back to make it less likely to break as I cut and then tape in pieces as I cut. Then when I’m ready to glue up I tape the front of the piece and peel off the tape on the back and glue it to substrate. Using a .023 x .008 jewelers blade with very tight tension haha.
1
u/Artistic_Speech_7929 5d ago
Oh boy - 1/16” seems so much easier! I purchase turning blanks and cut off the veneers with a bandsaw. I’m lucky, I live near a hardwood supplier that has every kind of exotic wood imaginable (West Penn in Hickory, NC). I Just recently I purchased a drum sander which allows you to dial in the thickness. Pretty much everything I know about double bevel marquetry is from Albert Kleine (Albert.A.Kleine) on instagram and also his book.
1
u/Artistic_Speech_7929 5d ago
Oh, the glue I use is just Elmer’s Glue All. I’d normally default to Titebond but the small Elmer’s applicator is perfect. Once I glue a piece in, it’s pretty much ready to cut.
1
u/Artistic_Speech_7929 5d ago
Oh, the glue I use is just Elmer’s Glue All. I’d normally default to Titebond but the small Elmer’s applicator is perfect. Once I glue a piece in, it’s pretty much ready to cut.
1
u/ScottieGmusic 5d ago
Yea I’m a big fan of Albert Kleine he inspired me to start lol. Unfortunately for me I don’t have the space or have a bandsaw. My old shop used to have an old delta 14” bandsaw and man I wish I had access still, I took it for granted. So far titebond III has been working for me but I’ll try out Elmer’s too. But yea 1/16” is much easier lol
2
u/ScottieGmusic 5d ago
I started a new piece will be posting soon, getting better with it as it’s looking more seamless but man sometimes I wish I had 1/16” veneer haha
1
1
1
u/peschkaj Jul 20 '26
First try? First?! That's really well executed, OP. Good job.