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This newsletter Spotlight features our customer, Mr. David Clark.
David recently called me to see about a replacement handle for his Micro Plunge Base, (the tool had fallen off his bench and shattered the plastic locking knob). When I asked what project he was using the tool for, he told me about the chevalet marquetry saws that he makes. I've always been interested in marquetry and was delighted to learn that someone was building the tools that support this art form here in the US. I thought these unique saws would be of interest to our newsletter subscribers.
 David Clark
Owner Operator
Ever since a kid, I've had a thing about woodworking. It started with shop classes in the 7th grade and continued throughout high school and college where I graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Arts - with the core training being woodworking.
The next 13 years was spent teaching woodworking at the secondary level, followed by several years partnering in a commercial cabinet shop. We liquidated that business in 1982, and I spent the next 27 years pursuing a sales career. After retirement, it was once again back to woodworking, focusing on boxes of all types.
In September of 2015 while attending the WIA conference in Kansas City, I had the privilege of meeting W. Patrick Edwards. Patrick is the founder and principal of The American School of French Marquetry in San Diego. While discussing the subject of Marquetry, Patrick related his attempts to market a chevalet kit. As a result of that discussion, and with much guidance from Patrick, I have started building and selling the kits, which brings us to the reason for this website.
A little historical perspective of the Chevy:
During the golden age of Marquetry, one of the tools that evolved for making the masterpieces of the time was the carpenters wooden "donkey" or vise as pictured on the left. It was comprised of a bench with a foot operated vise to hold the marquetry "packet" as the marquetarian cut it with a small fret saw. It evolved over the years; with one of the latter improvements being the addition of a horizontal arm and sliding saw frame as shown on the right. Today we know this tool as the "Chevalet de Marqueterie" or "Easel for Marquetry". Although produced in quantity during the 17th & 18th centuries, the demand has steeply declined with industrialization and cultural changes. Consequently, these tools are no longer commercially produced. Today, Marquetarians who wish to use the "traditional" marquetry saw have a limited supply of the original machines, and those that have survived can be in disrepair, or if in good condition can demand a premium. Other options are to either build one for themselves or hire a woodworker to build one for them. Building a "Chevy" is far removed from the delicate art of Marquetry, requiring commercial quality tools, timber working skills, and a substantial investment of one's time. Most artisans would prefer cutting veneers instead of timber; and this is where we come in. We have developed the kit for those who have neither the time, the tools or the inclination to build their own. Our kits are made from choice American hardwoods, and include everything you need to put together a beautiful detailed replica of the originals that were made during the heyday of this remarkable tool.
I'm delighted to offer these unique saws in the spirit of the French phrase, "Ici nous sauvons le passe pour le futur" - "Here we save the past for the future". This tool played an important part in the history of Marquetry, and it's modern day presence encourages today's marquetarians to keep the traditional craft alive, preserving and enriching the world of Marquetry.
Our Product
Here is a photo of the "finished" chevalet. We build either a right handed or left handed model and size each kit for its owner. We do special requests provided they don't compromise the aesthetics or function of the tool. This tool is modeled after Pierre Ramond's drawings of the chevalet in the 1989 edition of his book "Marquetry" published by Taunton Press, and varies only in minor details of machining and finish.
(This particular photo shows a modified tool with an extended cross arm to accommodate a longer saw frame as requested by the customer).
Chevalet Kit
Shown here is the kit ready for shipment. All parts are machined, pre-assembled, sanded and packed securely for safe transit. Besides the wooden parts shown here, the hardware kit and assembly manual are included.
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