My first intarsia

[Joel Kaufman]

I actually completed this project during the Summer while taking an intarsia class at a nearby Woodcraft store, but immediately got busy into two other portrait projects and forgot to post this piece.

I cut, shaped and sanded this JGR whale at the intarsia class and finished and glued it up back home. I used poplar and cedar for the piece with walnut for the eye. I learned a lot working on this piece...the cutting wasn't too bad as was the shaping. But, the gluing presented me with some challenges. The pressure I used from the sides to get the glue to set caused the tail piece and the jaw to rise up. By the time I noticed this the glue had already taken hold. Next time I'll lay the pieces on a flat surface and use that leverage while apply pressure from the sides.

I know I've seen it posted here by many more experienced intarsia folks to just jump in and try it and don't be intimidated...which is what I did. I learned a lot and look forward to progressing into this more. I already purchased 3 more JGR beginner patterns and started working on several custom designed patterns as well.

I have to build some shelving for my basement and also in my workshop before I can get back into intarsia, but I'm hoping by the end of the year, I can start up again with it.

Joel

[fireglass]

Joel, Looks like a better fit then my frist one. Keep having fun. Lance

[Jan]

Welcome to the Dark Side of scrolling, otherwise known as Intarsia. Your first attempt looks very good to me. Keep up the good work and post more pictures!

Jan

[Wood Dog]

That's one slick looking whale Joel, sweeeeet. What did you use for the finish?

[Sally]

Joel - that's very nice. Good fit and good shaping! Nice.

[Joel Kaufman]

I used wipe on satin poly...I think three coats.

[woodsman]

Looks good Joel, you are off to a real good start taking one of Judy's classes early with intarsia.

[sqrlalrt]

That looks great! I really like the finish....it looks so smooth!

[Fran1942]

Looks great, Joel. Don't stop the addiction now.
Fran

[jim_mex]

Hi Joel - Welcome to the dark side!
That is a really good looking piece. Like most folks in this section you definitely become your own worst critic and that never seems to stop but i think that anyone receiving this piece as a gift would be delighted.

Ref the gluing - I admit to cheating a little. I generally stay away from projects which require that pieces be glued flush to one another. This way the gluing up requires very little sideways pressure and is only to hold an assembly together before finally gluing it onto a backer, which is the part that holds everything together. Providing my kerfs are thin and the cutting is pretty accurate by the time I apply a top coat they become hardly noticeable.