Giambattista A.'s Profile

Video: Biscuit Joinery - Build a Bookcase

I’ve viewed this video as well as the other Frank Klausz videos. I was hoping this video would bring as much insight as the other Klausz videos (“Dovetail a Drawer”, “Mortise and Tenon Joinery”, and “Finishing”). I'm sorry to say I was disappointed. Not much content here really. Everything is pretty much obvious unless you are very much a beginner woodworker. But by all means, see the other Klausz video workshops, they are *really* worthwhile and are even considered classics! When you watch them, look at all the little stuff, like how he holds his tools, how he moves his body while cutting joints, how neatly his shop is laid out, etc… I found that I learned as much by these ancillary things as I did from what he was saying! Another good thing about Klausz is that he is not academic; he is showing you practical approaches that are used by a real woodworker trying to earn a living at his craft. His skill and depth of knowledge is truly amazing.

Video: Inlay Techniques

Very useful to furniture makers!

I’ve rented, and watched closely, all three of the Larry Robinson videos. I am a furniture maker who wants to learn Marquetry. I was disappointed by the other videos/books explaining inlay techniques that werre geared towards furniture makers; they were showing ugly, primitive stuff. Here Larry is showing you how he makes some truly amazing stuff. Even though his primary medium is Abalone shell, the techniques presented are applicable to wood (or other materials).

In the first video Larry starts out by reviewing the types of Abalone shell. Not useful to me, but none the less interesting (though slow). He moves on to show sawing techniques, and his setup w/ a jewelers fret saw cutting on a “birds beak” platform hooked up w/ a show vac. It’s amazing to see how efficient this technique is; so much for the idea that an electric scroll saw is necessary for Marquetry! I took detailed notes while watching the video, and was amazed at how many times I had to pause the DVD player to write down what he was saying. This is a good indication of how efficient his presentation style is. It’s very easy and pleasant to watch, but it’s necessary that you listen closely because he is presenting a *lot* of material w/ few words! Another aspect of the first video that I found invaluable is how to create a drawing to use as a basis for the inlay work. He shows you how to trace a photograph, and refine it w/ successive tracings. I’ve not seen that covered anywhere else, and it alone, is worth the rental fee of the video.

The second video presents the same information as the first, but w/ more detail. In it you see him design and cut something much more complex. I found it very worthwhile because I had no idea how fine a detail it was possible to reproduce in Inlay. I originally rented this video hoping to learn something about engraving, but was disappointed here. He mostly cites another source for details about engraving, and quickly walks you through some very basic engraving. As for wood, he only mentions something about “use an Xacto knife” and shows no examples. Aaargh; the very bit I was most interested in!!! Still, this video really refined what I learned in the first, and I’m delighted to have rented it. Again, more copious notes!

In the third video the Master really starts to show his wizardry. It starts w/ him cutting and inlaying an impossibly thin and curvaceous signature! If that doesn’t impress you, then not much will! He shows you detailed tricks/techniques for routing that beast. All very much worth the price of the rental! He then moves on to show you techniques for “lining” the back of a guitar neck. He uses a home made stand for the Router, that I've not seen elsewhere. If you can do that, there’s probably not much of anything in furniture that you can’t handle! He finishes by showing you some of the work he’s most proud of. What I found interesting here was the use of alternate materials. Hmmm, why does furniture Inlay need to be only wood? Perhaps a bit of a mind expansion going on here!

If you are a furniture maker, you will need to seek other sources to explain the classic French “packet” approach to Marquetry, and the “Double Bevel” technique. These are not covered in this series, and are essential for furniture. The Silas Kopf video will get you started on those topics. What you will get out of these videos is invaluable and otherwise difficult if not impossible to find elsewhere. Hats off and much thanks to the great Master - Larry!