Lou Charlett Lou Charlett builds fine furniture on Intervale Road here in New Gloucester. (Photo Don Perkins)

Charlett likes to use veneer and prized hardwoods, such as mahogany and cherry - even tropical woods - in his pieces. Recently, Charlett was constructing a large, round cherry dining table. The top is done in a pie-shaped pattern of veneer. "Each glue-line is a book-match," he says, explaining the surface layout. "The veneers come in a stack, and I keep them sequenced; I number them." The veneer is laid over three layers of Baltic birch plywood that Charlett alternately arranges to ensure flatness. You might guess that furniture-grade plywood is pretty flat. Well, 25-plus years of craft has taught Charlett otherwise. This little tidbit is just one of the tricks he's learned over the years. The bottom of this table is also veneered. The edge is banded in solid cherry.

Charlett says the process of working with veneer has come a long way over the centuries. And using veneer today can be an environmentally friendly way of showcasing prime timber. "If someone comes across a wonderful log, you might get 100 boards out of it," he says. "Or, you can get 1,000 sheets of veneer." Charlett says veneer sometimes gets a bad rap largely because of its history. Prized antiques were never designed for modern, centrally heated homes. Plus, methods of applying veneer weren't the best back then. Stable substrates, such as modern plywood, weren't exactly common, and glues were in their infancy. "In the old days veneer was put on with horsehide glue," says Charlett. "If it lasted for 200 years, that was pretty good."

When they're brought into modern homes, the veneer will often peel off these antiques - especially if placed in full sun by a window. To ensure one of his new pieces will last, Charlett has discovered that yellow, aliphatic resin carpenters glue is as good as anything. "If this veneer comes up, its going to be the least of your problems because the whole table's going to fall apart," says Charlett. Another example of Charlett's veneer work is a batch of simple end tables that he's topped with elm burl veneer.

Charlett will often use veneer in laminations. "Over the years, I've been doing more and more with veneer," he adds. "You can do things with veneer that you can't do with solid wood."

For example, he's currently constructing a dining chair prototype with a curved back. Thin, vertical slats will contour to the user's spine, minimize weight, are flexible and yet are very strong. Again, it's another example of employing years of experience.

Charlett, 60, began largely as a self-taught woodworker. He has a degree in civil engineering and cut his teeth in boat building early on. Charlett enjoys the challenge of custom furniture, even finding it stimulating. "I've never become entirely specialized in one thing," he says. "Patience is important," he adds, of the intricacies of woodcraft. "You just figure it out; I enjoy that." To view Charlett's work, go to charlettwoodworking.com.