Good video Mark and good job on that inlay. Don't worry about the negative comments. You are doing fine. I’m a 4th generation carpenter and I’ve been doing extremely elaborate inlays for guitars, jewelry boxes and high end furniture for the best part of 40 years. If I had listened to half the criticism I received early on I would have a different skill set today. “Why was I looking at your video?” Because it doesn’t matter how good you think you are, there is always someone out there doing something new or different that you can always learn something from.
Exactly, Wil. I have the better part of 41 years as an auto mechanic and was a master tech for 15 of them. I still learn things from the younger guys that come up with a tip or 2, and I have been able to give a few tips to the younger guys who never saw a distributor or carburetor let alone a set of points or how to set them on a car. (There are some vintage and antique cars that still run these original parts, and these young guys have no idea what to do with these relics. lol) At the same time, even though I am familiar with automotive computers and used to specialize in them, they've recently underwent a lot of changes where multiple computers interconnect on a bus network, and if one goes awry, it can create a nasty "argument" between all of the modules, and it can be difficult to sort out.
Hello this is Robert Ray from Wood Inspirations and Design. I can't begin to tell you how valuable this video has been to me. I have spent so many wasted hours on trying to get tight fits between pieces and finally did but it took a long time. The info about over lapping is such a great technique;I thank you so much. I appreciate you taking your time to make and post these videos. It is selfless people like you,spreading the knowledge,that really make woodworking so enjoyable. You are a good person and my family and I have such a great amount of respect for you. Thank you again.
RUclips videos like this one are an inspiration to wood workers everywhere. I really can't understate the impact educational videos like this have had and will have for the decades to come.
This was an incredibly good video. Unlike most tutorials on youtube, books, the internet, or wherever, this one had lots of detail. The result was beautiful, too.
I am going to watch every single one of your videos, you are the best step by step instructor, this helps a lot, those those quick speedups videos, are truly not teaching, you showed me how to do it, you taught me, thank you for being a great teacher.
Hey MARC, I watch every video you put out. I can't get enough watching the leaf inlay video. Your AWESOME. I want to try this soon. Thanks for sharing.
This was a very well done and informative video. Coming up on 9 years after it was published and still helping people improve! Thanks for taking the time to put these together.
What I meant was his application of the word was odd. I didn't trace a flower on my monitor to buck a social norm. I did it because it was faster, easier and more efficient than using a printer and it happens to save a piece of paper and ink to boot. I guess I don't consider this activity to have anything to do with social norms, music, fashion, politics, attitude, or anything else typically associated with hipsters.
Thanks very much for the kind words. As for the sand, it isn't so much about color as it is burning. The idea is to simply shade the wood with dark shadow lines. Any sand will do the trick. If the sand it colored, it won't really make any difference though.
That is definitely something to consider when laying out an image. The inlay on this piece was a bit of an afterthought so if you know you're going to adorn something with inlay, its a really good idea to make sure the background complements the image.
This is a fantastic video. You hit a great balance of simplicity and attention to detail. I really appreciate seeing instructors use common tools to do amazing work using practical methods. Thank you.
Are you talking about the filling and repairs? If so, that usually occurs around the borders where darker material is actually beneficial in creating the illusion of depth. So small color variations, if they occur, won't really hurt anything.
when that mineral oil hit that inlay WOW! That looked stunning. With that added wood colouring with the sand, that was a real nice touch. Like you said it just gives it a much more greater interest and actually draws you to the piece of furniture to admire, well done.
You are a natural instructor, you explain how to do and also why to do it that way. Thanks so much. I am a girl and I'm making my first solid maple butcher block style countertop with a rectangle insert of end grain maple and yew border to go in my boat (which I'm also building)So far it looks great! When I'm ready I'm going to try some inlay projects for my chart table!
thanks for sucking me in and making me watch the entire thing, it was great. I dont even plan on doing inlays for a long time, but it was great to watch
I just read the comment fro Wil Seda and am astonished that anyone would criticize this video (he did not criticize but mentioned others had done so). You are either the most eloquent person on RUclips or spent a lot of time preparing the audio. Either way, thank you. Great video!
@Lucretia9000 I actually was using a normal sized router in this video. Any router can be used but my preference is for heavier models for the sake of stability. This particular method is free-hand, but you can certainly buy inlay kits that will allow you to utilize patterns.
i`m in the 70`s so my fingers don1t move very good anymore but this is fascinating i`ve always wondered how it was done when i was younger didn`t have the time to learn stuff like this busy working love your work thanks & have fun
Beautiful work! Anyone who has done detailed inlays can appreciate how well you went about this. For all those viewing, inlaying is a "zen" process, in that it requires skill and patience. I have done far too many "sloppy" inlays when trying to get the job done. Thanks for sharing your art.
Thanks Marc, that was terrific. Going to attempt it myself on a small Cherry bookcase project. Aside from the inlay instruction, the video production was terrific. Your comments on getting into the Zen zone are right on. Concentrating on a single precise task can be very relaxing.
In my opinion, a larger router allows for more stable routing. Smaller routers will more easily go off course. Thought I know some folks prefer a lighter router. Try it for yourself and see which you like better.
Another great video by a master! I'm encouraged enough to try this out. Based on related tasks I've done, I'd suggest two things. 1) use CA glue to mount the pieces. It's available in different viscosities (even gel) and mixes very well with sanding dust and won't create a rubbery mess or seriously impede applied finishes. Available at your local HD. For CA glue, wax paper makes a good barrier between a pressure block and the work. 2) Use a soft pencil to apply graphite to the edges of one surface and test fit. Where it binds, it will transfer graphite to the work where you can concentrate on removing material. I do this on dovetails, box joints or sliding parts.
Marc, Thanks for the video. I've been building furniture, woodturning, etc. for 30 years and I have done a lot of straight line inlays, and template based but only a couple of freehand router attempts. I had a project that was begging for some detail so I thought I'd go inlay. I closely copied your design as it was the perfect shape and I could size it to fit the top. I am very happy with the results and it looks great. I used Tulipwood and Rosewood. Your process is straight forward and very easy to get great results the first try. Thanks again.
I have been a carpenter builder for 30 years...I don't know how you could ever make money doing inlay...But, I guess we're not really in it for the money, it's about a love of working with wood...Thanks for the tips and I saved this to my learning videos just incase...: ) You should be proud, your work is beautiful.
I've always admired inlay work but thought it way beyond my skills. You've just brought onto my radar as something I just might be able to do. Thanks a million mate :-)
you have some amazing tools there ive made 3 bits of furniture at college and now i have a furniture lv 3 qualification when i have been making this furniture i have always found your vids have helped me so much and taught me how other people do these bits of wood work and also suggested these vids to mates at college thanks for all your help and thanks for all the great vids ps your inlays are amazing
And when driving, the outcome could be death, yet we still do it. As stated in the video, I think folks should try to find a better way to protect their eyes and I appreciate your suggestions. But if they can't find a good solution that still allows visibility without obscuring vision, this is one technique that I feel the relatively low risk is worth it for the results. If I can find eyewear that doesn't obscure my vision and still allows me to get good results, I'd be ecstatic to wear it.
@elvirairis Thanks for the kind words. I just use regular PVA wood glue. Nothing special there. And I don't really see any particular reason to use a sanding sealer, at least as it pertains to the inlay.
I am pretty sure that i have said this before but you are a master. I know that you would say that your not. You have simplified so much for all of us. I have always wanted to try inlay but was terrified, you make it so clear. PBS should give you your own show. Keep up the amazing work and keep the videos coming.
Dude, thank you so much. At first I thought that I don't want to know the things Nicole thought :) But during the course of the video I noticed how much time you invested to give your know how to the community. That was by far the best woodworking video I've seen. Looking forward to watch your other videos and I'll definitely apply your techniques
I know it’s been almost 11 years since you posted this video, but I just happened upon it. This was very educational for me and I believe I may have to try this! Thank you for the instruction! Beautiful work sir!!
Yup. All you need to do is make the routed recess shallower and the inlay piece will sit proud. I haven't tried it yet but it looks pretty awesome. It's called bolection inlay in case you need to look it up.
this is one of the most professionally made videos I've seen on RUclips. Very articulate and flows smoothly. Thanks for posting this. I will look for other vids you've made
I had no idea I'd spend 43 mins of my Saturday night watching this, but I'm inspired to come up with a project to try this with now! Awesome!! and thanks!
@skrumbah I have used them in the past but found them to be limiting in making really detailed designs. So I learned how to do it free-hand which gives me a lot more freedom. But certainly nothing wrong with an inlay kit for consistency and speed.
I've never built furniture before but the instruction you provided on what seems to be a fairly complicated piece (to me at least) makes me confident that I could pull it off. I'm subscribing for sure! Thanks a bunch.
I want to say I watched the video again and realized the overlapping pieces are cut away on each successive piece so I get it now. Very cool and I hope to try this soon. Thanks for the great video!
So I am curious what specific eye protection you use when doing artistic router inlay as demonstrated in this video? I need something that won't interfere or obscure my vision when used with magnifying lenses. Any brand/product recommendations? Instead of just calling me a fool and being critical of my personal safety choices, how about contributing a helpful recommendation from your personal experience?
@bleed2escape it is shop-sawn veneer. The material was purchased in boards at a local hardwood dealer and then cut to size using the bandsaw. I usually clean it up with my drum sander after the cut.
Wow thanks for sharing your knowledge some really great tips I cannot wait to try it out. When you are trying to fit the inlay pieces into position and you need to trim the inlay. Try using a little chalk or pen on the bottom of the inlay; it will be removed when you sit the inlay into the inset and highlight all of the bits that are preventing the inlay sitting snug. Second tip: When you are setting the router depth place a small strip of metal shim off an aluminum can or strip of cardboard (Scrape cardboard from any empty carton from you pantry cupboard) placed under the router bit can give you a consistent proud setting between 0.2 and 0.8 mm depending on what you use. If you need a greater proud setting then place two or more layers under the router bit before setting the cut depth stop. Hope this helps cheers.
My sincere hats off to you for having that much patience and (you must have a superb eye too!) to do this, using a router, which (speaking for my self only) I find IT, just too bulky, "too much in the way" for such a small pieces (I tried it long, long time ago). I prefer Dremel tool but that's neither here nor there. Your video is interesting and I enjoyed watching it. As silly as it may sounds, thanks to people like you, I am rediscovering my router tool and bench, anew, after being packed away for nearly 10 years. Thank you for your wisdom and your time to share it.
Very nice work! I liked your reasoning about using the larger router... made sense, and then adding the stability of putting your hands down on the router plate... pure genius! Thank you very much!
Another note about the lighter router he had. When I use mine, the small one he showed at the beginning, I don't try to hog it all out in one pass but the down side of that is several passes means several chances to screw up. But the less you bite into the wood the less it tries to throw the router around. The Dremel router bits get much smaller in diameter which cuts down the knife work on the sharp edges as well.
I will also add that in this particular situation, the risk is quite minimal. The bit is removing a VERY small amount of material as you approach the pencil line. Risk is not an all or none thing. It exists on a scale. So as stated in the video, I recommend wearing eye protection if you can. But I choose not to for the more delicate work. In much the same way I choose to get into a car every day and drive, in spite of the well known risks associated with driving.
this is so satisfying to watch. I just got my first router the other day and I'm still a few years away from trying something like this but I have saved this video and I will definitely give this a go when I'm a little more comfortable with the router :)
Well just a few general recommendations. Make sure you are plowing the bulk of the material with the larger bit first. By the time you are using the small 1/16" bit, you should only be removing a VERY small amount of material. Its such a small amount that grain direction will have almost no effect. But if you leave too much material and try to take too much of a bite with the small bit, it will have a tendency to walk on you.
Beautiful job. Inlay is very intimidating even for most. Your suggestions on doing it one part at a time is the correct process. Thank you for sharing. I hope many others follow your suggestions. Many blessings to you and your Channel.
Yes! you are awesome and you don't have to shorten your presentation in my opinion! As I think back I wonder what part you could have left out for the sake of shortening. Anyway.......Loved it.....great job......I'll look for more of you!!!
I've always been curious how this was done and had figured out a rough idea of how to approach it, but this video filled in the gaps (see what I did there?) and now I finally feel like I know how to tackle an inlay project. Thanks for doing this. And the table looks great.
You do amazing work, I'm 16 and finished my first solid body guitar just a few weeks ago.. I built it using Purple Heart and Maple. It's a Telecaster shape, I think I should start doing inlay work on my future guitars. Thanks for the knowledge on teaching us how to do inlays!!
usually still use the carbon paper. It isn't real bright but you can usually see the lines well enough. You can always use a white pencil to brighten things up after the initial transfer.
You can use heat to shrink it down, but the results are a little unpredictable. Most times, it's one small section that's hanging up so shrinking the entire piece might make for a very loose fit. But it might be worth experimenting. As for the propane torch, I would be afraid the wood would catch fire. The idea is to have a very slow and somewhat controllable heat level.
Definitely not that I ever heard. Once you get to your line, you pretty much want to leave that sucker alone. But I do sometimes use sandpaper to create a bit of a taper on the inlay piece, which does relieve some material. But it isn't for the purposes of future stress. It is only to make sure the piece pops in.
local hardware dealers typically. If you find a place that specializes in hardwoods, they will likely have at least some exotics on hand. I then resaw then down to size for these inlays.
@skrumbah You can do that, but you would have to somehow get those curves to mate perfectly, which I find much easier to do using the router an inlaying one piece at a time.
@clintonious hmmm.....that would be cool. Only issue is you would probably need to soak the pieces in dye overnight so that it penetrates deeply. Otherwise you might remove the color when leveling the pieces to the surface. Also have to watch out for bleeding when applying finish.
Brilliant explanation of something I’ve always fancied doing but never knew the sequence. I now have so many ideas for this work. Can’t wait to get started. Thank you. Keep Whispering.
I do think they are incredibly helpful. I know they are pricey, but Bose headphones are great for cutting out general noise as well as shop noise. I have a pair of noise canceling ear buds that don't work as well. That's about all the experience I have in noise canceling. Many times i just put on my ear buds and then drop my ear muffs over them.
@TheWoodWhisperer I just recently got into a little woodworking myself but using recycles. My husband bought me a router for Christmas so I could learn how to make wood signs and stuff. I was wondering if a regular plunge router like a Ryobi is good enough to do a project like this. This was absolutely sooo cool. I just loved it and I also love your style of teaching. Keep bringing it..what a gift!
Most hardwood dealers have a decent selection of exotics that work great for inlays. I made them thin by resawing them on the bandsaw and then cleaning up with a drum sander.
Was thinking of buying a router and was looking for some techniques on here, would just like to thank you for inspiring me, i'm off down the shop now :)
@TheSeancassady Nothing was skipped in the video. The third piece is done the same way as the second piece. Piece #2 does not remain intact. The whole idea is to cut into #2 to make a nice seamless fit. At about 36:40, I explain the concept using pieces 1 and 2.
Great video, I had no idea how much patience went into inlays. I particularly took note of the sand burning and gap filling tips. Thanks. Some day I'd like work up to an inlay of a compass rose on our dining table.
GORGEOUS! I thought the zebra wood wasn't as pretty when you were picking out which material to use, but the sand shading really made it pop. Beautiful work.
Outstanding! Thank you for a most excellent piece of work. And, don't give up on the talking side of things, a nice piece of woodworkers philosophy is important to understanding the man and that helps in understanding his art/craft. I don't think I ever watched a RUclips video that went on for so long but I was hooked on this one. Again, thank you.
Wow that is beautiful. I have to admit, at first when you did the sand burning I was thinking "oh no you ruined it" but then at the end, BAM! It is perfect. I made a similar shaker table and you are right, I think some inlay would be perfect on it.
MAN! That is such an awesome idea with the carbon paper.., don't know why I never thought of it... Would of saved me TONS of HOURS of playing with spray adhesive, naphtha , paper shavings, all the BS you wouldnt believe! THANKS dude you just saved my shop a lot of headaches!
Wow, how beautifully explained and demonstrated. In retirement, I was looking for a new hobby. I will definitely keep a link to this video and use it in the future. Thank you so much for making this video.
Yes, in the world of woodworking, we do sometimes take calculated risks. In this "fool's" opinion, the risk is small enough to warrant having minimal eye protection. But you are free to do whatever you like in your shop. And if you can get good results using this technique while using full eye protection, all the power to you.
Wow, I watched the whole video twice. This was fantastic. I don't know if I can do that inlay but it sure would be fun to try! You did a great job. Thanks for posting!
Yes, the cut isn't very deep. You may also consider using a drill to make the center hole first, dropping the bit in and then routing the rest of the area.
Good video Mark and good job on that inlay. Don't worry about the negative comments. You are doing fine. I’m a 4th generation carpenter and I’ve been doing extremely elaborate inlays for guitars, jewelry boxes and high end furniture for the best part of 40 years. If I had listened to half the criticism I received early on I would have a different skill set today. “Why was I looking at your video?” Because it doesn’t matter how good you think you are, there is always someone out there doing something new or different that you can always learn something from.
Exactly, Wil. I have the better part of 41 years as an auto mechanic and was a master tech for 15 of them. I still learn things from the younger guys that come up with a tip or 2, and I have been able to give a few tips to the younger guys who never saw a distributor or carburetor let alone a set of points or how to set them on a car. (There are some vintage and antique cars that still run these original parts, and these young guys have no idea what to do with these relics. lol)
At the same time, even though I am familiar with automotive computers and used to specialize in them, they've recently underwent a lot of changes where multiple computers interconnect on a bus network, and if one goes awry, it can create a nasty "argument" between all of the modules, and it can be difficult to sort out.
Hello this is Robert Ray from Wood Inspirations and Design. I can't begin to tell you how valuable this video has been to me. I have spent so many wasted hours on trying to get tight fits between pieces and finally did but it took a long time. The info about over lapping is such a great technique;I thank you so much. I appreciate you taking your time to make and post these videos. It is selfless people like you,spreading the knowledge,that really make woodworking so enjoyable. You are a good person and my family and I have such a great amount of respect for you. Thank you again.
RUclips videos like this one are an inspiration to wood workers everywhere. I really can't understate the impact educational videos like this have had and will have for the decades to come.
This was an incredibly good video. Unlike most tutorials on youtube, books, the internet, or wherever, this one had lots of detail. The result was beautiful, too.
I am going to watch every single one of your videos, you are the best step by step instructor, this helps a lot, those those quick speedups videos, are truly not teaching, you showed me how to do it, you taught me, thank you for being a great teacher.
Hey MARC, I watch every video you put out. I can't get enough watching the leaf inlay video. Your AWESOME. I want to try this soon. Thanks for sharing.
This was a very well done and informative video. Coming up on 9 years after it was published and still helping people improve! Thanks for taking the time to put these together.
that sandshading process does give it an incredible look thanks for sharing !
What I meant was his application of the word was odd. I didn't trace a flower on my monitor to buck a social norm. I did it because it was faster, easier and more efficient than using a printer and it happens to save a piece of paper and ink to boot. I guess I don't consider this activity to have anything to do with social norms, music, fashion, politics, attitude, or anything else typically associated with hipsters.
I know I’m 11 years or more late but, this looks incredible. So glad I started following you. Thx for taking the time to show this artwork.
Thanks very much for the kind words. As for the sand, it isn't so much about color as it is burning. The idea is to simply shade the wood with dark shadow lines. Any sand will do the trick. If the sand it colored, it won't really make any difference though.
That is definitely something to consider when laying out an image. The inlay on this piece was a bit of an afterthought so if you know you're going to adorn something with inlay, its a really good idea to make sure the background complements the image.
As a landscape photographer, I totally get the Zen moment. Good to see others acknowledging it and talking about it!
This is a fantastic video. You hit a great balance of simplicity and attention to detail. I really appreciate seeing instructors use common tools to do amazing work using practical methods. Thank you.
Are you talking about the filling and repairs? If so, that usually occurs around the borders where darker material is actually beneficial in creating the illusion of depth. So small color variations, if they occur, won't really hurt anything.
when that mineral oil hit that inlay WOW! That looked stunning. With that added wood colouring with the sand, that was a real nice touch. Like you said it just gives it a much more greater interest and actually draws you to the piece of furniture to admire, well done.
You are a natural instructor, you explain how to do and also why to do it that way. Thanks so much. I am a girl and I'm making my first solid maple butcher block style countertop with a rectangle insert of end grain maple and yew border to go in my boat (which I'm also building)So far it looks great! When I'm ready I'm going to try some inlay projects for my chart table!
thanks for sucking me in and making me watch the entire thing, it was great. I dont even plan on doing inlays for a long time, but it was great to watch
I just read the comment fro Wil Seda and am astonished that anyone would criticize this video (he did not criticize but mentioned others had done so). You are either the most eloquent person on RUclips or spent a lot of time preparing the audio. Either way, thank you. Great video!
@Lucretia9000 I actually was using a normal sized router in this video. Any router can be used but my preference is for heavier models for the sake of stability. This particular method is free-hand, but you can certainly buy inlay kits that will allow you to utilize patterns.
i`m in the 70`s so my fingers don1t move very good anymore but this is fascinating i`ve always wondered how it was done when i was younger didn`t have the time to learn stuff like this busy working love your work thanks & have fun
Beautiful work! Anyone who has done detailed inlays can appreciate how well you went about this. For all those viewing, inlaying is a "zen" process, in that it requires skill and patience. I have done far too many "sloppy" inlays when trying to get the job done. Thanks for sharing your art.
Thanks Marc, that was terrific. Going to attempt it myself on a small Cherry bookcase project. Aside from the inlay instruction, the video production was terrific. Your comments on getting into the Zen zone are right on. Concentrating on a single precise task can be very relaxing.
In my opinion, a larger router allows for more stable routing. Smaller routers will more easily go off course. Thought I know some folks prefer a lighter router. Try it for yourself and see which you like better.
flaws isn't flaws it's artistic touch. that is what make it unique.
This is the first woodworking video I have seen from start to finish, very nice. Thanks.
Really well made video. Love the absence of ego and intimidation, just pure open knowledge. Well done.
Another great video by a master! I'm encouraged enough to try this out. Based on related tasks I've done, I'd suggest two things. 1) use CA glue to mount the pieces. It's available in different viscosities (even gel) and mixes very well with sanding dust and won't create a rubbery mess or seriously impede applied finishes. Available at your local HD. For CA glue, wax paper makes a good barrier between a pressure block and the work. 2) Use a soft pencil to apply graphite to the edges of one surface and test fit. Where it binds, it will transfer graphite to the work where you can concentrate on removing material. I do this on dovetails, box joints or sliding parts.
Marc, Thanks for the video. I've been building furniture, woodturning, etc. for 30 years and I have done a lot of straight line inlays, and template based but only a couple of freehand router attempts. I had a project that was begging for some detail so I thought I'd go inlay. I closely copied your design as it was the perfect shape and I could size it to fit the top. I am very happy with the results and it looks great. I used Tulipwood and Rosewood. Your process is straight forward and very easy to get great results the first try. Thanks again.
I have been a carpenter builder for 30 years...I don't know how you could ever make money doing inlay...But, I guess we're not really in it for the money, it's about a love of working with wood...Thanks for the tips and I saved this to my learning videos just incase...: ) You should be proud, your work is beautiful.
I've always admired inlay work but thought it way beyond my skills. You've just brought onto my radar as something I just might be able to do. Thanks a million mate :-)
you have some amazing tools there ive made 3 bits of furniture at college and now i have a furniture lv 3 qualification when i have been making this furniture i have always found your vids have helped me so much and taught me how other people do these bits of wood work and also suggested these vids to mates at college thanks for all your help and thanks for all the great vids ps your inlays are amazing
And when driving, the outcome could be death, yet we still do it. As stated in the video, I think folks should try to find a better way to protect their eyes and I appreciate your suggestions. But if they can't find a good solution that still allows visibility without obscuring vision, this is one technique that I feel the relatively low risk is worth it for the results. If I can find eyewear that doesn't obscure my vision and still allows me to get good results, I'd be ecstatic to wear it.
@elvirairis Thanks for the kind words. I just use regular PVA wood glue. Nothing special there. And I don't really see any particular reason to use a sanding sealer, at least as it pertains to the inlay.
I am pretty sure that i have said this before but you are a master. I know that you would say that your not. You have simplified so much for all of us. I have always wanted to try inlay but was terrified, you make it so clear. PBS should give you your own show. Keep up the amazing work and keep the videos coming.
Dude, thank you so much. At first I thought that I don't want to know the things Nicole thought :)
But during the course of the video I noticed how much time you invested to give your know how to the community. That was by far the best woodworking video I've seen. Looking forward to watch your other videos and I'll definitely apply your techniques
I know it’s been almost 11 years since you posted this video, but I just happened upon it. This was very educational for me and I believe I may have to try this! Thank you for the instruction! Beautiful work sir!!
What a fabulous video - thanks Marc. It's now 8 years old, but I've just learned a heap of new tricks for doing inlays. Thank you. :)
Yup. All you need to do is make the routed recess shallower and the inlay piece will sit proud. I haven't tried it yet but it looks pretty awesome. It's called bolection inlay in case you need to look it up.
this is one of the most professionally made videos I've seen on RUclips. Very articulate and flows smoothly. Thanks for posting this. I will look for other vids you've made
I had no idea I'd spend 43 mins of my Saturday night watching this, but I'm inspired to come up with a project to try this with now! Awesome!! and thanks!
That is one of the most beautiful inlay jobs I have ever seen. Great job!
@skrumbah I have used them in the past but found them to be limiting in making really detailed designs. So I learned how to do it free-hand which gives me a lot more freedom. But certainly nothing wrong with an inlay kit for consistency and speed.
I've never built furniture before but the instruction you provided on what seems to be a fairly complicated piece (to me at least) makes me confident that I could pull it off. I'm subscribing for sure! Thanks a bunch.
I want to say I watched the video again and realized the overlapping pieces are cut away on each successive piece so I get it now. Very cool and I hope to try this soon. Thanks for the great video!
You are a natural teacher.....thank you.
So I am curious what specific eye protection you use when doing artistic router inlay as demonstrated in this video? I need something that won't interfere or obscure my vision when used with magnifying lenses. Any brand/product recommendations? Instead of just calling me a fool and being critical of my personal safety choices, how about contributing a helpful recommendation from your personal experience?
@bleed2escape it is shop-sawn veneer. The material was purchased in boards at a local hardwood dealer and then cut to size using the bandsaw. I usually clean it up with my drum sander after the cut.
Excellent workmanship and step by step instructions! Thanks!
Step by step instructions are always nice in videos!
@@SecretStashBrosBuilds Exactly!
Wow thanks for sharing your knowledge some really great tips I cannot wait to try it out.
When you are trying to fit the inlay pieces into position and you need to trim the inlay. Try using a little chalk or pen on the bottom of the inlay; it will be removed when you sit the inlay into the inset and highlight all of the bits that are preventing the inlay sitting snug.
Second tip: When you are setting the router depth place a small strip of metal shim off an aluminum can or strip of cardboard (Scrape cardboard from any empty carton from you pantry cupboard) placed under the router bit can give you a consistent proud setting between 0.2 and 0.8 mm depending on what you use. If you need a greater proud setting then place two or more layers under the router bit before setting the cut depth stop. Hope this helps cheers.
My sincere hats off to you for having that much patience and (you must have a superb eye too!) to do this, using a router, which (speaking for my self only) I find
IT, just too bulky, "too much in the way" for such a small pieces (I tried it long, long time ago).
I prefer Dremel tool but that's neither here nor there. Your video is interesting and I enjoyed watching it.
As silly as it may sounds, thanks to people like you, I am rediscovering my router tool and bench, anew, after being packed away for nearly 10 years.
Thank you for your wisdom and your time to share it.
Great video. Thanks so much for posting. Your love for your work is obvious.
Very nice work! I liked your reasoning about using the larger router... made sense, and then adding the stability of putting your hands down on the router plate... pure genius! Thank you very much!
Another note about the lighter router he had. When I use mine, the small one he showed at the beginning, I don't try to hog it all out in one pass but the down side of that is several passes means several chances to screw up. But the less you bite into the wood the less it tries to throw the router around. The Dremel router bits get much smaller in diameter which cuts down the knife work on the sharp edges as well.
I will also add that in this particular situation, the risk is quite minimal. The bit is removing a VERY small amount of material as you approach the pencil line. Risk is not an all or none thing. It exists on a scale. So as stated in the video, I recommend wearing eye protection if you can. But I choose not to for the more delicate work. In much the same way I choose to get into a car every day and drive, in spite of the well known risks associated with driving.
I've been wondering how to do inlay for the longest time. perfectly clear now. thanks!
possibly. But you're going to sand it properly afterward anyway. So any cross-grain scratches will be removed.
this is so satisfying to watch. I just got my first router the other day and I'm still a few years away from trying something like this but I have saved this video and I will definitely give this a go when I'm a little more comfortable with the router :)
Well just a few general recommendations. Make sure you are plowing the bulk of the material with the larger bit first. By the time you are using the small 1/16" bit, you should only be removing a VERY small amount of material. Its such a small amount that grain direction will have almost no effect. But if you leave too much material and try to take too much of a bite with the small bit, it will have a tendency to walk on you.
Beautiful job. Inlay is very intimidating even for most. Your suggestions on doing it one part at a time is the correct process. Thank you for sharing. I hope many others follow your suggestions. Many blessings to you and your Channel.
Yes! you are awesome and you don't have to shorten your presentation in my opinion! As I think back I wonder what part you could have left out for the sake of shortening. Anyway.......Loved it.....great job......I'll look for more of you!!!
Sometimes longer is better.
I've always been curious how this was done and had figured out a rough idea of how to approach it, but this video filled in the gaps (see what I did there?) and now I finally feel like I know how to tackle an inlay project. Thanks for doing this. And the table looks great.
You do amazing work, I'm 16 and finished my first solid body guitar just a few weeks ago.. I built it using Purple Heart and Maple. It's a Telecaster shape, I think I should start doing inlay work on my future guitars. Thanks for the knowledge on teaching us how to do inlays!!
I’ve watched this video a hundred times and learn something new every time. I’m still to chicken to try it!
usually still use the carbon paper. It isn't real bright but you can usually see the lines well enough. You can always use a white pencil to brighten things up after the initial transfer.
You can use heat to shrink it down, but the results are a little unpredictable. Most times, it's one small section that's hanging up so shrinking the entire piece might make for a very loose fit. But it might be worth experimenting. As for the propane torch, I would be afraid the wood would catch fire. The idea is to have a very slow and somewhat controllable heat level.
wonderful tutorial, i love how you think outloud so we understand your mindset
Holy Cow that looks tedious but the effort looks like it is sooooo worth it. Thanks for sharing this technique.I learned a lot
@wwspier Its just a card scraper available from any one of the woodworking suppliers. They sell them expressly for scraping wood.
Definitely not that I ever heard. Once you get to your line, you pretty much want to leave that sucker alone. But I do sometimes use sandpaper to create a bit of a taper on the inlay piece, which does relieve some material. But it isn't for the purposes of future stress. It is only to make sure the piece pops in.
This video could have gone on for days, I love this stuff.
Your Rob Ross shirt is awesome!
local hardware dealers typically. If you find a place that specializes in hardwoods, they will likely have at least some exotics on hand. I then resaw then down to size for these inlays.
@skrumbah You can do that, but you would have to somehow get those curves to mate perfectly, which I find much easier to do using the router an inlaying one piece at a time.
Thanks so much for the video, I think I've learnt more than I could have possibly from any book. Really appreciate this video!
@clintonious hmmm.....that would be cool. Only issue is you would probably need to soak the pieces in dye overnight so that it penetrates deeply. Otherwise you might remove the color when leveling the pieces to the surface. Also have to watch out for bleeding when applying finish.
Brilliant explanation of something I’ve always fancied doing but never knew the sequence. I now have so many ideas for this work. Can’t wait to get started. Thank you. Keep Whispering.
I do think they are incredibly helpful. I know they are pricey, but Bose headphones are great for cutting out general noise as well as shop noise. I have a pair of noise canceling ear buds that don't work as well. That's about all the experience I have in noise canceling. Many times i just put on my ear buds and then drop my ear muffs over them.
@TheWoodWhisperer I just recently got into a little woodworking myself but using recycles. My husband bought me a router for Christmas so I could learn how to make wood signs and stuff. I was wondering if a regular plunge router like a Ryobi is good enough to do a project like this. This was absolutely sooo cool. I just loved it and I also love your style of teaching. Keep bringing it..what a gift!
Most hardwood dealers have a decent selection of exotics that work great for inlays. I made them thin by resawing them on the bandsaw and then cleaning up with a drum sander.
Great compliment with the "sand shading". Definitely a new tool
I woke up from a nap and there was your video. Really nice video and great explanation. Are you an educator? You should be teaching.
Yes I’ve been teaching woodworking for 20 years. I do detailed classes at thewoodwhispererguild.com/
@@woodwhisperer thanks for replying. You are a good person.Keep giving it your best.
Thia is awesome.... My coffee table is just begging for an inlay!!! Thanks for explaining the process in such great detail!!
Was thinking of buying a router and was looking for some techniques on here, would just like to thank you for inspiring me, i'm off down the shop now :)
@TheSeancassady Nothing was skipped in the video. The third piece is done the same way as the second piece. Piece #2 does not remain intact. The whole idea is to cut into #2 to make a nice seamless fit. At about 36:40, I explain the concept using pieces 1 and 2.
Beautiful work Mark! Looks like patience is the key with inlays!
Like your Bob Ross T-shirt! And of course your work..!
Great video, I had no idea how much patience went into inlays. I particularly took note of the sand burning and gap filling tips. Thanks. Some day I'd like work up to an inlay of a compass rose on our dining table.
Good job. You are not only a good woodworker you are also a good teacher. Great video.
GORGEOUS! I thought the zebra wood wasn't as pretty when you were picking out which material to use, but the sand shading really made it pop. Beautiful work.
Thank you so much! I've always wanted to do inlays and now I have the confidence and the know how to try it.
14 years ago!!! And I’m just now having this show up in my feed? Ok.
Outstanding! Thank you for a most excellent piece of work. And, don't give up on the talking side of things, a nice piece of woodworkers philosophy is important to understanding the man and that helps in understanding his art/craft. I don't think I ever watched a RUclips video that went on for so long but I was hooked on this one. Again, thank you.
Wow that is beautiful. I have to admit, at first when you did the sand burning I was thinking "oh no you ruined it" but then at the end, BAM! It is perfect. I made a similar shaker table and you are right, I think some inlay would be perfect on it.
MAN! That is such an awesome idea with the carbon paper.., don't know why I never thought of it... Would of saved me TONS of HOURS of playing with spray adhesive, naphtha , paper shavings, all the BS you wouldnt believe! THANKS dude you just saved my shop a lot of headaches!
I just watched a 43 minute video on inlaying. Worth it.
Wow, how beautifully explained and demonstrated. In retirement, I was looking for a new hobby. I will definitely keep a link to this video and use it in the future. Thank you so much for making this video.
Yes, in the world of woodworking, we do sometimes take calculated risks. In this "fool's" opinion, the risk is small enough to warrant having minimal eye protection. But you are free to do whatever you like in your shop. And if you can get good results using this technique while using full eye protection, all the power to you.
This video is exactly what I was looking for. Easy to follow tutorial and packed full of information. Thank you!
Wow, I watched the whole video twice. This was fantastic. I don't know if I can do that inlay but it sure would be fun to try! You did a great job. Thanks for posting!
Yes, the cut isn't very deep. You may also consider using a drill to make the center hole first, dropping the bit in and then routing the rest of the area.
This is a great tutorial. You explain everything in fine detail and show every step of the process... Thank you