Keith’s Note: Well this is a case of new technology versus the wisdom of the ages. The artisans of centuries ago mastered marquetry techniques without MDF or plywood, but there is certainly a case to be made for the stability of modern substrates. How you approach this depends on your interests, techniques, resources and skills. Experiment and have fun — and good luck with it!

Keith’s Note: Not sure. You could try it. Good luck.

Keith’s Note: There is no end to the ways you can creatively use your tools. I observed that most accomplished artisans are inventive in the way the use tools.

I have located the appropriate tools at Highland Hardware and for small boxes etc I was considering using this technique as opposed to another machine (vacuum) to clutter up my shop and only use occasionally.

John

Keith’s Note: The toothing plane is traditionally used with solid wood substrates. If you intend to use plywood as a substrate, then you are probably headed into a realm where you are combining old world techniques with modern materials in a way that might not turn out so well. Modern manufactured plywoods are made with veneers that are so thin, there is really not enough wood available for toothing. It’s not done in this case.

In your case, since you are making small boxes, it would seem that a solid wood substrate would work very well. With small pieces, the type you might use in small box construction, you won’t have much trouble with dimensional stability, i.e. cupping, twisting, warping. So you’ve got the perfect project for traditional hammer veneering using traditional materials. BTW, I think you’ve got great project planned.

Keith’s Note: Veneers can be quarter sawn, rift, or plain cut in the same way that dimensional lumber is cut. When a fine hardwood log is veneered, there is significantly more yield from it than would be created by simply sawing the tree into boards. Ultimately the “green-ness” of the end product depends as much on how the veneer is applied to substrates (as in making plywoods) as on how the raw materials where sourced and transported. Some processes are more green than others. Knowing what is green or not can be confusing. There are a number of organizations that attempt to certify that lumber comes from sustainable forests and is processed and delivered with the least environmental impacts. For more information search on the keywords “Forest Stewardship Council” or the “U.S. Green Building Council”.

One final note, rotary veneers are the cheapest type of veneer and are creating by slicing the outer surface of a log like you would peel a potato. The slicer removes a thin layer of the log as it turns on a spindle. These types of veneers typically look unnatural.

Keith’s Note: Ken, you win the award today for most inquisitive viewer! Most normal folks would indeed need to measure the width and cut a piece to fit. In Patrick’s case, he is so skilled that he could eyeball the cut to make use of a strip he had already cut. There are various ways of fitting inlays, which we didn’t have time to cover in this video. But stay tuned. We’ll get back to this topic in the future.