I was just watching again the superb 10 minute video of J. George et fils at work in Paris. I have discussed the difference between sawn and sliced veneer in an earlier post. I have also mentioned how important it is for me to visit Patrick George and purchase veneers as often as I can. He always selects special flitches of wood for me and knows my taste.
I don't know exactly how to put the proper hyper text for you to click on, but I can direct you to the video. Just go to YouTube and search for "au bois montant." The first video you see is by darius 1400 and is a professional 10 minute documentary of the veneer business at George's, including the machine which saws the wood.
Update: I just figured out how to link this video. Here it is:
Patrick George Veneer Saw
"Au bois montant" is French for "as wood rises." This machine, invented in the first decade of the 19th century by the French, saws the wood veneer as the wood is raised up from a pit into the moving saw frame. The speed of movement against the blade is exactly equal to the amount of wood removed by the saw. Note there is a large gap in the spacing of the teeth, and the teeth are rip teeth cutting in both directions.
Even if you do not understand any French, this is worth watching. What you are experiencing is a business, run by four generations of the same family, which continues to work in a tradition that hasn't changed in two centuries. Living history brought to you by YouTube.
Hi Patrick,
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zNvYhpcPNlw I was sent this you tube clip about Patrick George some time ago, I don't know if you have seen it before.
Keith.
p.s why no bun feet on the longcase clock
Thank you Keith. I had forgotten about it and yesterday found it again while looking through my bookmarks. It is really wonderful and informative, even if you don't understand the French.
ReplyDeleteI remember when Patrick went to great lengths to keep the system secret, 20 years ago. The saws were enclosed in a separate room, and all the visitor knew about them was the sound they made.
Finally, Patrick has gone public, and anyone who visits is given a lengthy tour of the machine room and can begin to understand how special it is.
P.S.:P.S. This clock has no feet, as most of them have lost their feet and the casual museum visitor thinks they all had a base molding like this. I did build a clock with bun feet for an English client who specified that it be as close as possible to the originals. Between us, I like it both ways. The clock with bun feet is on an earlier post "Painting in Wood Clock."
Patrick,
ReplyDeleteThis clock has no feet because that is how it was requested, no? Unless you made a duplicate, that photo is of my clock. So...
Watched the video on YouTube. Most interesting indeed. It had the result of making me want to work at my chevelet! The documentary is extremely good and I am recommending it to all the people who has asked me about the process. Thanks for the link...and thanks for the post. Glad you started the blog.
Peri
Peri
ReplyDeleteIndeed, this is your clock, and the photo is me in my "youth". You and I worked together to design this clock and we both agreed the base would be a simple molding.
I really like working with olive. This clock shows off the olive figure and color both in the sawn veneers and solid wood molding and trim. Patrick George personally selected the olive wood for me and I appreciate his close working friendship, almost as much as I appreciate your support.
I am happy you are enjoying this blog.