Thread: Parquetry Top Dining Table method of construction

You'll find that these days plywood and MDF are commonly (almost exclusively) used as a substrate to ensure dimensional stability.

To read about the old techniques of marquetry and parquetry purchase a physical or digital copy of 'The make as perfectly as possible, Roubo on Marquetry' by Lost Art Press in the US of A -

http://lostartpress.com/products/to-...o-on-marquetry

Really great read on the techniques, including substrate selection.

Steven.

Originally Posted by Fuzzie

I've been wondering how parquetry top dining tables are constructed. Obviously one way would be to veneer onto a plywood base, but I guess there is another solid timber construction used in antique tables.

I haven't managed to find any information online as yet. Anybody know how they are put together?

As far as i was aware nearly all of the antique ones about were also made with veneer?

Would you not 'simply' do the traditional approach to veneering over solid wood -

"veneer over a solid lumber substrate stands the best chances if it is cross banded - one layer of veneer on each side of the core with grain running perpendicular to the grain of the core; then face veneered, both sides, grain parallel to the core grain. You'll recognize this as similar construction to plywood. Veneer over a solid lumber substrate stands the best chances if it is cross banded - one layer of veneer on each side of the core with grain running perpendicular to the grain of the core; then face veneered, both sides, grain parallel to the core grain. You'll recognize this as similar construction to plywood" - Contributor J. Woodweb

http://www.woodweb.com/knowledge_bas...o_a_Solid.html


I suppose you could possibly do it using thicker pieces and joinery, to piece the whole thing together, but for what its worth, i'd put my money on the veneered option as far as strength and longevity is concerned

I haven't been able to inspect a parquet top table yet, but I've been assuming the tops are made from mainly solid parquet otherwise they would be called a veneered or perhaps marquetry tabletops.

This is more along the lines of construction I was expecting...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W5lSID0158U

Here's a traditional one without plywood or staples..

The way we make them at work is with 6-8mm solid timber laid on MDF with Techniglue.