Once, a design is created, a full-size pattern, sometimes called a cartoon, is created. This can be done by hand, but by using a computer and printing out the design, it can be replicated effortlessly in the future.

      

The pattern is sprayed with contact cement and then applied to the black dyed Pearwood veneer that will form the pattern and border.

      

A part is cut from the field sheet and then used as a template to cut the inlay piece from another veneer, in this case, Fiddleback Anigre.

Each piece is taped into place from the rear. This is the best way to maintain good tight joints when working with so many small pieces. There is a downside, it can take an hour or more to remove this tape, however, it greatly reduces the chances for damage as the sheet is manipulated during cutting.

      

As the sheet is built up, it is taped together from the face side. The tape is then removed from the back and the border is attached.

      

The face sheet is then glued onto the top substrate and placed into a cold press, in this case a vacuum bag. The assembly is placed into the bag, face up, without a caul. Because so many small pieces are taped into place in a number of sequences, tape thicknesses vary all over the surface. Add to this the variation in thicknesses between different cuts of veneer, and you have a situation, where if a caul is used, you will invariably have areas where the glue line will fail to bond. Without the caul, pressure is even over the whole surface, regardless of thickness variations.

Vacuum is drawn on the bag and the top will set under pressure until the glue sets.

      

When the top comes out of the bag, the edges are trimmed with a file.

Although the tape can be sanded off, I prefer to dampen it and scrape it off before sanding. You want as good a view of the surface as you can get once you start sanding. One sand-thru and you've ruined several days work.

      

A high intensity light, at a low angle allows you to see very minor imperfections as you are sanding. This operation is critical, it is very easy to lose the top at this stage, but if you are careful and have paid attention throughout the process you will wind up with spectacular top ready for finishing.