The Chevalet de Marqueterie …. Was invented in Paris over two hundred years ago. Its entry on the marquetry scene gave the French craftsmen of the day a powerful tool to expand and perfect the ancient art to new heights. They kept its existence a closely guarded secret for a very long time.
I am, in some things at least, a traditionalist so when I first became interested in marquetry I quickly became fascinated with the chevalet. I was attracted by its elegance and its honest stout proportions as much as for the absolutely precision results it offered me…. if I worked hard enough at it.
I had to have one but all I could find were a few brief descriptions, four internet photos and a short grainy video. I studied the photos and jumped in. In about two weeks I had my first chevalet working and I was amazed at the quality of cut I was able to make right away.
That was in Az. where I spend the winters. Of course another had to be built when I came home to Canada.
The Az. one was built from a salvaged Douglas Fir beam and the Canadian cousin was made from some Garry Oak that I had.
They both work well and I wouldn’t give either up for anything.