Inlay by hand

ozziebluesman · Post by **ozziebluesman** » Tue Apr 21, 2009 12:38 pm

I like the hands on parts in guitar building. Inlaying peal and abolone by hand appeals to me! I'm not talking intricate stuff, just simple designs. My proposed logo is slightly curved lines with a 1.6mm wide channel required.

What tools do I need to cut the channels fror the inlay segments by hand? I thought of maybe some carving chisels and a good knife. What do you all suggest? I understand the proceedure of how to cut the pearl pieces and the tools required.

Cheers

Alan

Nick · Post by **Nick** » Tue Apr 21, 2009 1:21 pm

Just a suggestion as I've never inlayed using hand tools but I would think that if it's made of simple curved lines (that are parallel) then I would grind an old 1/8th chisel down to the same width as your inlay pieces and make sure it's cutting edge is well sharpened. Cut the outlines to a depth (depends on how easy the blade cuts as to what this depth will be)by continuous scoring with a razor blade, scalpel or sharp knife. Then carefully scoop out the pocket with your deadly sharpened chisel

, just removing small amounts at a time and re-scoring the outlines as you remove the previous ones.Watch the depth though, wouldn't want to go too deep

Kim · Post by **Kim** » Tue Apr 21, 2009 5:17 pm

Clean out with No271 Stanley router plane would be ideal.

Cheers

Kim

Dominic · Post by **Dominic** » Tue Apr 21, 2009 9:01 pm

Yep, I'm with Kim. I have the Veritas version. You could get spare blades and shape them to fit any design you like as Nick O mentioned for chisels.

I also found this thing great for removing the finish under the bridge. Very accurate depth setting so with a sharp blade you can easily dial it in to remove just the finish and leave a nice flat area for the bridge. Love these tools.
Dom

Nick · Post by **Nick** » Wed Apr 22, 2009 5:28 am

Dominic wrote:I also found this thing great for removing the finish under the bridge. Very accurate depth setting so with a sharp blade you can easily dial it in to remove just the finish and leave a nice flat area for the bridge. Love these tools.

Nice way of using this tool! Cheers Dominic

ozziebluesman · Post by **ozziebluesman** » Wed Apr 22, 2009 8:40 am

Thanks Nick, Dom and Kim for youe suggestions. I have a bid in on a 271 on ebay so will see what happens. I reckon the tool would be ideal for saddle slots and getting that bottom nice and level.

Domonic, where can you buy the Veratis tool in Australia? Can you buy different width blades for this tool?

Cheers

Alan

Kim · Post by **Kim** » Wed Apr 22, 2009 12:45 pm

ozziebluesman wrote: Can you buy different width blades for this tool?

Cheers

Alan

Alan,

With a grinder, a cup of water and some old allen wrenches you can quickly make blades for these router planes shaping the old allen keys to what ever profile you want.

Cheers

Kim

Dominic · Post by **Dominic** » Wed Apr 22, 2009 9:49 pm

Hey Ozzie, I got mine from Carbatec in sydney. $75. Nice tool with a quality blade.
Dom

ozziebluesman · Post by **ozziebluesman** » Wed Apr 22, 2009 10:32 pm

Thanks Kim for your good tip. There is a second hand Stanley Router Plane on ebay at the moment in the USA. This one is in good nick and has the original box so it may go to a collector and not a user. What do you reckon they are worth second hand?

Ok Dom I will check out the Veratis. $75 is not a lot of money for a quality tool.

Cheers

Alan

Allen · Post by **Allen** » Thu Apr 23, 2009 5:29 am

That's a bldi good tip about cleaning the finish off prior to glueing down the bridge. I'm going to keep my eyes open for one of these just for that purpose.

kiwigeo · Post by **kiwigeo** » Thu Apr 23, 2009 6:32 am

ozziebluesman wrote:
Domonic, where can you buy the Veratis tool in Australia? Can you buy different width blades for this tool?

Cheers

Alan

Alan, all my Veritas stuff comes from Lee Valley in the US.

Cheers Martin

Dominic · Post by **Dominic** » Thu Apr 23, 2009 7:32 am

Hey Martin, I know you have had problems with your local CT and prefer not to do business with them, so have I.

But if I order stuff from the Sydney store it turns up in 2 days, everytime. They are fantastic and seem to have everything in stock.

Dom

Clancy · Post by **Clancy** » Thu Apr 23, 2009 7:35 pm

I want one.
No, damn it, I NEEEED ONE!!!

Dominic · Post by **Dominic** » Thu Apr 23, 2009 11:09 pm

Craig, I know what you mean. I only started making guitars as a cover for my tool fetish.
Dom

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Inlay by hand

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