Inlay

[lucky788scroller]

When doing inlay work,is your inlay piece scrolled on top of what it drops into, or under and pushed up into its place after cutting?

[don snethen]

Your pattern goes on top as usual and you put the inlaid peice on the bottom so that it lifts up into the main patterned piece after it is cut. Otherwise you won't realize the correct pattern size.

Don

[Barefoot1]

I would think you would put it on top and fit the top into the bottom, that way your top piece with the pattern is the original size . . . ?? I had this all set up the other day and then cut in the wrong direction and it went opposite. Doh!!

[Rolf]

Ok I screwed up. I voted incorrectly. I realized as I was preparing my talk on inlays, that I cut CC and the top drops into the bottom. As Don says.

[Forester21]

It depends on the project. I've cut either way, and sometimes both ways if I am inlaying a number of different colors.
There may be a slight difference in pattern size, but when you are working with 1/4 inch material to start with it is miniscule (in my eye anyway).

Rolf - You say to drop the top down as Don says. But Don says to push the bottom up! LOL
Theresa

[Marsha]

I've only done 1 inlay project. I followed Diana Thompson's directions and the piece was cut on top and dropped into the piece below. It worked very well and I thought my inlay looked pretty good.
Marsha

[Plaquerd]

Have tried both ways, but now I cut so the bottom fits into the top. It is easier for me to cut this way cause I can see the pattern and how the inlay will fit into it. It just works better for me this way.

[CanadianScroller]

my first inlay project used toner transfer on the inlayed wood so I cut from the top and dropped it in, otherwise I wouldnt see it. I never really thought of the other ways

[don snethen]

Obviously there is more than one way to cut an inlay and I only speak from my own experience which is mostly in marquetry. While the marquetry patterns are usually quite busy and intricate and are traced onto the waster with graphite transfer paper they require the pattern to be placed again and again in the exact same position as the inlays are successively cut. To maintain the original pattern lines one must always have the pattern on the top and cut with the inlay piece on the bottom. This maintains the pattern's integrity. The cutting bevel angle depends on the thickness of the blade and the material used and is usually set to allow the inserted inlay to fit flush.

That being said there are other inlay instances when cutting with the inlaid piece on top and not dependant on coinciding with any other pattern lines. For instance, a flower blossom inlaid into a box lid or similar. Having the exact pattern match then is not mandatory since it is the only inlaid item. Then there are the instances when the inlay is desired to be recessed or even raised and these can also be cut from either top or bottom. One needs only to think through process and the cut direction to determine which peice will be the larger and in what depth of position it will end up.

Don

[Rolf]

Theresa, it appears that my head is not properly attached at the moment.

OH C--p now I am really confused!!
What ever I do It works for me.