Woodworker's Journal 1993-17-3, страница 38

EASYTO-MAKE GIFTS. TOYS ACCESSORIES

Intarsia Project

by Robcn J Hfavacck

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Several years ago we received an intarsia project submission from a reader. Robert J. Hlavacek. That project plait, for a "Tom an-on-a Ihaudi'' (January February 1992) was so w ell received that we followed it up with another Hlavacek design, " The Knothole Gang" tMay!June 19921. We don't know just why intarsia has struck such a chord with our readers, hut we can't seem to keep the designs coming fast enough to satisfy all of the intarsia fans out there.

If you haven't tried intarsia yet, the Humpback Whale is an ideal project to

I he Humpback Whale shown is made from walnut and red oak. Since much of (he beauty of the piece is in the selection of boards with an attractive grain pattern. you'll want to take care here. The whale shown was sized to fit on the pages of The Woodworker's Journal magazine, but I've made humpback whales using this same pattern m sizes up to 37 in. long. If you w ant lo make the pattern larger, just keep in mind that you'll need lo use a larger glass eye to 38

get started with. The whale is comprised of just S pieces, which are cut. shaped, assembled and then mounted to a plywood backing board. All the whale pans are cut from standard ' j in. thick stock, with shims under several of the pieces giving their raised effect. Iff're provided a full-size pattern and step-hy-step instructions and illustrations to guide you through the proc ess.

In many traditional furniture projects, it's frustrating to see a commercially made item, similar to one you've made, for sale at a price less than the cost of

Step-bv-step

match. By the way. in case anyone is wondering, the humpback whale is one of nine species classified as baleen (toothless) whales.

IUse a large piece of tracing paper (9 in. by 24 in.), and copy first one half of the pattern, then the other, until you have a complete paitern. Label ihe various parts on your pattern as indi-caled.

your materials. With intarsia. you'll end up with a work of art that will he worth far more than the cost of both your time and materials. We'll he bringing you more of Robert Hlavacek's intarsia projects in the future, but if you can't wait. Robert has a free catalog of his designs. Just send a self-addressed stamped envelope to Robert J. Hlavacek. P.O. Box 1246. North Riverside. IL bt)54b. An excellent book on intarsia is Judy Gale Roberts' Easy-to-Make Wood Inlay Projects, available from Fox Chapel Publishing, tel. (717) 399-7999

2 Cut one piece of V-i in. thick walnut about ft in. wide by 20 in. long (for parts A. B, C. D. E, and F). and one piece of 7-i in. thick oak at least 4 in. w ide by 16 in. long (forparts G and Hi. Move ihe tracing paper pattern around on the slock umil you find the best-looking grain, then transfer the pattern by slipping a piece of carbon paper between the tracing paper and the board.

As shown, the two oak parts (G and H l should be laid out on a single board lo

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