Refurbishing old parquet floors

[BrianM]

I just knew somebody here would have actually done this kind of special fabrication of custom parquet panels. Way to go Chris! Sure sounds complicated though.

[Peter Kodner]

Chris, good call! I didn't enlarge the shots but did so after your comment. I see it may be about 25% plain sawn.

It seems every wood outfit made finger pattern probably as a way to use up scrap from making those fancy Marie Antoinette and other intricate pattern goods. I've seen wire, aluminum and plastic splines depending on who was making it. Plastic was sweet and it didn't ding up blades. Sizes anywhere from 5 7/8 to 6 1/4 blocks.

Chris, not sure why you don't use disc sander The guy that used to do our wood finishing work used them on parquets all the time (unfinished paper face, splined and refinish jobs). They also used one at the NWFA class I attended (Wood Basics, the install and finish course) on the demonstration for sealer and wax finishing..

[Chris Flynn]

BrianM said I just knew somebody here would have actually done this kind of special fabrication of custom parquet panels. Way to go Chris! Sure sounds complicated though.

I have been talking to a client that wants a custom parquet floor but she is not ready to pull the trigger yet... I also have done a couple of counter tops this way, but again that was many moons ago...
and Brian, it is not that complicated, just tedious... once you get the rythym on it it actually goes pretty fast... and believe me this is not my idea... this was on the site Parquet Association.. I looked for it but I believe that it is not on the net anymore... if I find it I will post it...
the person that did the instruction page was using cut off from prefinished hardwood.... he showed how to make a cutting jig, and a glueing jig... I know I have said this before, but this is the type of stuff that seperates you for the "normal people"

[Chris Flynn]

Peter Kodner said Chris, good call! I didn't enlarge the shots but did so after your comment. I see it may be about 25% plain sawn. It seems every wood outfit made finger pattern probably as a way to use up scrap from making those fancy Marie Antoinette and other intricate pattern goods. I've seen wire, aluminum and plastic splines depending on who was making it. Plastic was sweet and it didn't ding up blades. Sizes anywhere from 5 7/8 to 6 1/4 blocks. Chris, not sure why you don't use disc sander The guy that used to do our wood finishing work used them on parquets all the time (unfinished paper face, splined and refinish jobs). They also used one at the NWFA class I attended (Wood Basics, the install and finish course) on the demonstration for sealer and wax finishing..

I just don't like the swirl marks that a disc sander uses on Parquet... it is so damn hard to get the swirl marks out because at some block in the parquet you are going cross grain. and if you start with 20 or 36 grit it is hard to smooth out again...... and I guess I am just a little spoiled with my square buff sander... since I can now get 20 grit, paper all the way to 220 grit for it on parquet is is just easier.. and you can get in the corners... Honestly I have not sanded that many parquet floors... here in corn country they used a lot of parquet for entry ways and alot of the old houses ( 100 years or older) had parquet or herringbone for the centers of borders ....

but I do use it for waxing parquet... with a white pad....
and yes I love a wood challenge... HA!

[Peter Kodner]

Actually makes a lot of sense. Great info to tuck away and pull out when a parquet question comes up. Thanks Chris