The latest issue of Popular Woodworking has been arriving in mailboxes for the past week or so, and mine arrived on saturday. This issue is one of the strongest in recent memory, but the most enjoyable part of it for me was my friend Jameel Abraham’s first published article, which details a comprehensive and remarkably precise set of hand-powered techniques he developed for parquetry that he uses in his instrument and furniture making.
Jameel is one of the most talented artists I’ve met, and is an accomplished iconographer, carver, luthier, bench and tool maker, and furniture maker. And if that’s not enough, there has also been unconfirmed speculation regarding Abraham’s striking resemblance to Cedar Rapids breakdance impresario Jam Master J – whose true identity has been a mystery for years.
But I digress…
One piece of my interest in this article is that much of the work in it was performed with one of the first Daed Toolworks planes ever to leave my shop. In fact, this plane – which was developed in large part thanks to Jameel’s suggestions, input, and feedback – was the basis for all of the miter planes I make now.As you can see, Jameel and his brother Fr. John Abraham (who’s responsible for the magnificent photography here, as well as all the ‘good’ photography on the DTW website) managed to not-so-surreptitiously include that plane into almost every shot of the board (thanks guys).
Beyond my selfish interests, however, I was immensely impressed with the article’s content, and I’m looking to start incorporating Jameel’s techniques into my own work. The article makes this work accessible to anyone who’s interested in taking their woodworking to the next level, and the possibilities for embellishment are nearly infinite.
One thing that I found unfortunate, however, is that article didn’t include any overall photos of the backgammon board Jameel built for it – all the images of the board were closeups of the inlay work. So in order to rectify that, here are some overall pictures of the board.
Great article, Jameel – and beautiful work as always!
Matt Bickford says
Three things I crave: pictures of the entire board, pictures of that quality and that miter plane. Three jobs done very well.
Matt Bickford says
Three things I crave: pictures of the entire board, pictures of that quality and that miter plane. Three jobs done very well.
Steve C says
I always suspected the Jam Master J alter-ego, Jameel’s a Freestylin’ fool at heart!!
Looks like I’ve got to pick up the new PWW, that backgammon board is truly amazing, just like everything Jameel puts his talents to.
Steve C says
I always suspected the Jam Master J alter-ego, Jameel’s a Freestylin’ fool at heart!!
Looks like I’ve got to pick up the new PWW, that backgammon board is truly amazing, just like everything Jameel puts his talents to.
Jameel Abraham says
Thanks Raney! Your plane made the work extremely enjoyable. Almost as enjoyable as spending an afternoon demoing pop-and-lock with the Rock Steady Crew. 🙂
Jameel Abraham says
Thanks Raney! Your plane made the work extremely enjoyable. Almost as enjoyable as spending an afternoon demoing pop-and-lock with the Rock Steady Crew. 🙂