How tight for inlay

I usually make them wide enough so that it won’t fall out if turned upside down.

-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.

Thanks Gary, do you use much glue along the sides?

-- Brian, Virginia Beach

Just a little in the sides doesn’t hurt.

I usually settle for whatevef squeezes out when I apply it on the bottom.

-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.

If I understand what you are doing is using 3/8” square inlays that are the appropriate length.
You are then cutting the base wood about 1/4 deep so that 1/8” is sticking up.

I think I’d make the inlay so that it is a just above a drop-in fit, with a slight taper on the bottom edge so that it starts to slip in below the surface. I’d put enough glue that it is a little more that a nothing. If when you tap it in it will almost be a friction fit and the glue will keep it from falling out. Do a practice run of the same woods on a cross grain inlay and a running inlay but no glue. You will probably find that it is plenty tight

The inlay should compress a little and the base wood should compress a little. Not a lot because it will breakdown the edges of your base wood.

If you can’t get it out then use a little glue on the final inlays.

When I did a practice on the doves on “Mark’s Heavenly Flight” frame. I didn’t glue it at all and it’s still stuck. I used epoxy for the final glue ups.

-- Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com

Thank you too Karson. I put them in and have already sanded down and put the first coat of Watco’s Danish oil. While standing in the sun admiring it I was thinking of the Colonel in Apacolaspe Now. “Do you smell that? Danish oil….....I love the smell of Danish oil in the morning…...it reminds me of Victory!

-- Brian, Virginia Beach

Don’t forget to post it!

-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.

As soon as I get the doggone drawer slides mounted, pictures will be taken and posted.

-- Brian, Virginia Beach