Inlay with router tips?

[catta12]

After watching the Woodsmith Woodworking Seminar podcast — Router Inlays, I have decided to give it a try. I ordered a Freud inlay template guide set and am waiting for it to arrive. Does anyone have tips that they have learned doing inlay with a router in this way? It would also be great to see some of the work other people have done for an idea jumpstart.

Thanks!

Alan

[drumpriest]

Hi Alan, I've been known to do a few inlays, but I typically don't use kits. Instead I cut out the inlay piece (on the scroll saw), then tape it into place. Next is to score the outside with a marking knife (just trace the inlay piece repeatedly. Then if it's geometric in nature, I will use a chisel to further deepen the lines.

Last I use an inlay router bit to come close to the line and rout out the inside portion. If the inlay is really big, I'll switch to a 1/4" spiral cutter to do the bulk of it. Most of the material should break away from the scored boundary. What doesn't is easily pared away with a chisel.

One thing to not about using a template set is that you cannot do sharp corners that way. You will definitely need a good sharp chisel to do the corners regardless.

[L. D. Jeffries]

I've done a fair amount of inlay work, especially inserting shapes of contrasting wood on "trinket" boxes. Had good luck so far; but one word of advise. Invest in a centering pin for your router, less than $10, it is essential that your router bit be centered in the router base, otherwise your inlays won't fit the area you routed out. Been there, done that and then had to do it again!

[catta12]

Thanks for the feedback. I will post my results when I get a chance to try it out.