Inlayed wood frames

[Danno30008]

Hey:

Ok, here is my current issue/problem..
I want to make some picture frames with walnut and a strip of hickory in the middle, kinda like an Oreo.. So, how do I get the inlay out of hickory smooth enough so I have a nice clean line when I glue it inbetween the two strips of walnut? Do I rip on my table saw and then run through my jointer a few times? If so, how do you do a piece that is so thin? Say, 1/8" finished? Any and all suggestions are welcomed.
Take care
Dan

[Terry Mac]

Hey Dan,

Don't know if I can be of any help. But when making the little boxes, I'll resaw my stock on the table saw to roughly a 1/4", then sand, on the bench sander, to the thickness needed.

Doubt I would use a jointer on a piece of wood that thin or thinner. And I don't think planners go that thin; but could be wrong on this.

Good luck

[thekl0wn]

Thin double-sided tape, a thicker piece of wood, and a planer should do the trick. Or surface sander...

[Danno30008]

THANKS!

Take care

Dan

[Don]

Hey, Dan. Good suggestions above. You may want to consider this also. Often times on the table saw (I assume you have one) we get caught thinking the piece that we want has to be in between the blade and the fence. Then we get scared for obvious reasons.

Think about this, suppose the inlay strip you want to finish up with is 1/8" x 1/8" x 36" long or whatever. If you have a 3/4" thick piece of hickory, 4" wide, 36" long. Saw a rabbet along one edge to 5/8" x 5/8", this will leave a finger running the full length. Then you carefully set the saw fence, run the larger section between the blade and the fence, your "off-fall" will be your inlay. That operation will net you about three pieces, re-setting the saw fence each time. You can do it safely and consistently. You can make razor thin inlays like this. Typically an inlay's tolerance for thickness is not that important anyway, it will be sanded flush after inlaying.

As an additional, a zero clearance throat plate always helps with thin ripping as well. Use a sharp blade and keep it relatively low.

Let me know if you (or anyone else) does not understand this and I will make a sketch and post tomorrow.

dawjr

[Danno30008]

Hey Don:

Ok, I think I get it.. If you don't mind, a sketch would be great and thanks again for everyone's help.

Take care

Dan

[Don]

Hey, Guys. Here is a sketch of the procedure that I described above. Please post any other questions.

http://www.internetcp.com/gallery/data/503/inlay.jpg

All the best, Don

[woodman43]

Hey Dan,

Don't know if I can be of any help. But when making the little boxes, I'll resaw my stock on the table saw to roughly a 1/4", then sand, on the bench sander, to the thickness needed.

Doubt I would use a jointer on a piece of wood that thin or thinner. And I don't think planners go that thin; but could be wrong on this.

Good luck

I have a Dewalt 12" planer that will plane to about 3/16". At least that is the thinest I have plane with it. I had to make thin planks to add thickness to a louvard door for a dressing room remodel. I resawed a 1x6 on the tablesaw then ran it thru the planer to finish it off. Worked pretty well.