Learn the art of intarsia while watching me make two butterflies from maple and purpleheart.

Рет қаралды 9,500

Жыл бұрын

The art of intarsia originated before the 7th century A.D., and it was used extensively for decoration in Italy during the 15th century. The process involves cutting small parts from various wood species and gluing them together to make a pattern or picture.
In this video, I use purpleheart and maple, two kinds of wood with contrasting colors, to make two intarsia butterflies. I cut the intricate parts on a scroll saw, and then glued them to a backer board.
To cut the 1/2-inch maple and purpleheart, both very hard woods, I recommend a #7 Pegas Modified Geometry blade. You can purchase these blades at: www.bearwood.com/?aff=BHW. (This is an affiliate link, and I earn a commission on any orders placed through this link).
Timestamps
0:00
0:05 Intro
1:14 Pattern
2:07 Thickness planer
2:54 Another look at the pattern
3:22 Had an idea
4:20 Scroll saw
7:20 Lesson learned
7:30 Laying out the pieces
7:56 One side done
8:38 Another idea
10:15 Blade tip
11:05 Backer board explained
13:20 Cutting the backer board
15:59 Glueup
19:38 Glueup completed
21:00 Finished project

Пікірлер: 18

@Amy_McFarland 4 ай бұрын

I love this! The only thing I may try is when doing the backing board, I'd attach the pieces with enough double sided tape to trace an accurate line for the cut.

@bobshomewoodshop7996 4 ай бұрын

That is a great idea. I'll have to remember that for my next intarsia project.

@yuliyabryant4052 9 ай бұрын

This is really cool project.

@bobshomewoodshop7996 8 ай бұрын

Thank you. I sell these in my retail store and get a lot of great comments on the purpleheart. People think that I painted or dyed the wood until I tell them this is its natural color. If you haven't already tried intarsia, you should look for an easy pattern and give it a try. I got hooked on it several years back, stopped doing it for a while, and recently renewed my interest in it. I am currently looking for a pattern I can use for an intro to intarsia video. but it may take a while before I can get to it as I am going into the busiest season of the year.

@CAMEO1955 Жыл бұрын

GREAT JOB 😎

@bobshomewoodshop7996 Жыл бұрын

Thank you. I already sold 3 butterfly intarsia in my store and I started two more last night.

@Intarsia82 Жыл бұрын

I'm surprised that you used the thickness planer to reduce these beautiful hardwoods, since you previously did a video on resawing.

@bobshomewoodshop7996 Жыл бұрын

The purpleheart was close to a full inch thick, the maple was only 13/16. I wanted 1/2 inch thicknesses on both because that's what the plans called for. Maybe I shouldn't have been so literal, but if you resaw 13/16 material down the middle you will lose 1/8 to the saw kerf. That leaves you with two pieces that will be less than 3/8 if you have to take 1/32 off each side to smooth them out. I could have cut the maple at 5/8 and 3/16, but by the time I planed that piece it would be too thin to be of any use. Maybe next time I will plane the maple to 1/2 but resaw the purpleheart. I should be able to get one board at 1/2 inch and another about 1/4 thick if I do it that way. Does that make any sense?

@ronalves9118 21 күн бұрын

I thought that intarsia included rounding over all the edges to give it a 3D look. Ron USCG RET

@bobshomewoodshop7996 18 күн бұрын

I didn't think rounding over the edges between the different colored sections of the butterfly's wings looked natural here so I didn't do it. I have other intasia pieces like a horse's or dog's head portrait where I do extensive roundovers.

@VinceEspositoJr 7 ай бұрын

Bob, can you provide a recommendation on a lighted magnifier? Thank you.

@bobshomewoodshop7996 7 ай бұрын

This is the description of the magnifier I purchased on Amazon: 10X LED Magnifying Lamp with Clamp, KIRKAS 2,200 Lumens Dimmable Super Bright Daylight Magnifying Glass with Light, Adjustable Swivel Arm Lighted Magnifier lamp for Reading Repair Crafts- Black. That should give you enough information to find it. The light level is adjustable, and at the distance I am using it, I am using the light at a very low setting. It really comes in handy for close work on small pieces.

@VinceEspositoJr 7 ай бұрын

Thank you@@bobshomewoodshop7996

@VinceEspositoJr 7 ай бұрын

What is the purpose of the backer? Can one glue the parts directly to a substrate? Thank you.

@bobshomewoodshop7996 7 ай бұрын

You need a backer because just edge gluing the parts together would make for a very weak assembly. Yes, you can glue directly to a substrate. I usually glue the back of the piece to a substrate and add a little glue in between the pieces as well.

@VinceEspositoJr 7 ай бұрын

Thank you.@@bobshomewoodshop7996

@jodymontez693 5 ай бұрын

So i just bough a bandsaw, can you make intarsia with a bandsaw?😊

@bobshomewoodshop7996 5 ай бұрын

That's an interesting question, but I would NOT recommend trying it. Intarsia usually requires some very small pieces, and you would have to get your fingers dangerously close to the blade. The bandsaw is a great tool, but not an appropriate one for this use.