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Today I finished my first "real" pearl inlay. Not just some simple shapes or some zip flex around a rosette. I actually drew it out, cut it, and inlayed. I'm pretty proud of the way it turned out since I've only inlayed wood in simple geometric shapes up to this point. I know it's not too impressive to some of you experts but I just wanted to share it and encourage those who, like I was, are afraid of trying inlay to give it a shot. It's very satisfying when it's completed.

This is my friends last name on the guitar I am building for his son (it's really for him for a while since his son is only 3). Here are some in progress pics and a few of the completed inlay.

Some design ideas


Template glued and starting to cut!


All cut out


Last minute design change per request


Headstock routed to receive the pearl


And completed!!


It's so shiny

Great job!! I've purchased the tools and some pearl. Just waiting for that job to hit the top of the "to do" list. I can't wait to give it a try.
Thanks for the encouragement.

Well done, looks great!

That looks real good! I always stop at the first letter.

Ray

Good on ya!

I like when people show their early efforts at any given task, it encourages others to go ahead and try it instead of being intimidated by the task.

Looks good.

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Bryan Bear PMoMC

Take care of your feet, and your feet will take care of you.

Good job Zeke!! What tool(s) did you use to route the headstock for the inlay? Just curious, since I've not tried one yet, and yours looks so good.

Thanks guys. I'm really looking forward to doing more inlay on other guitars now.

As far as tools I just used a dremel in the stewmac base with a 1/16" bit. The bit was a little large in some places and if you look carefully I had some gaps to fill because of that. Also the runout in the dremel caused a few issues. I've used the dremel for the other less complicated inlay I've done as well as rosette channels and the runout never seemed to bother me much, but with the small nature of this inlay it really posed a challenge. In the future I'll be looking into smaller bits and a different routing setup. I've really been eyeballing the ones john has at blues creek.

Main thing I learned from this is not to be intimidated. So I'm challenging all you newer builders to step out of your comfort zone and try some inlay. You won't regret it.

Nice work Zeke. It's pretty cool that your friend is Iron Man. With all of his money, he could have purchased any guitar on the planet...or any guitar company, but he still went with you. Says a lot.

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PMoMC

That looks great, Zeke!

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Hey, Zeke, you were pretty ambitious to attempt script lettering for your first pearl inlay. I think you did a great job--particularly with the routing and filling. I did my first-ever pearl inlay quite a few months ago and had difficulty getting a tight-fitting routed channel all around. I was able to fill it pretty well, but the whole thing sort of rattled my nerves. Very nice work.
Patrick

Right on! Nicely done.

Yeah, I'd use a 1/32" bit for fine lines like that. But on the other hand, it's really hard to get a tight fit on complex shapes like that anyway. Especially with that single skinny line in the middle, which would be really easy to break.

The main accuracy trouble I have with the dremel setup is the bit pulling to the side when cutting. But if you always travel in a counterclockwise circle around the pocket, the bit will pull toward the inside where it's not a problem. But even then, every once in a while I hit some grain at a bad angle or something when sneaking up on the line, and the bit grabs and pulls itself past the line, even if I don't let it pull the router base along with it.

Anyway, nice work! Especially the cutting. Nice smooth curves, where it looks like you wouldn't be able to fit a file in to clean them up. What size of blades are you using?

Sad to waste that huge MOP blank when a smaller one have worked for the new design, but at least it was by choice and not due to breaking it

You've done a really nice job, Zeke. You should be proud and encouraged to try more. Your comment about the bit size and Dennis' comment made me think of a tip I got from Grit Laskin that has helped me do more accurate routing. Hog out what you can with a larger bit, but avoid going all the way to your scribed line. Then change to small bit to finish routing up to the line. For me, I seem to have more control this way. Maybe because the bit is not having to remove much wood.

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Kevin Mason
Mason Guitars and Ukuleles on Facebook
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I'm a believer in the way Dennis outlined. It is easier to 'keep between the lines'. But I have to say Zeke, you did a mighty fine fine job of doing just that!!!

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Joe Beaver
Maker of Sawdust

I think it looks great, congrats on a super first effort! I'm going to try this myself one of these days...

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Phil

http://www.oleninstruments.com

"Those who tilt at windmills are only considered insane by those who can't see the dragon."

Thanks for the encouraging words everyone. I'm definitely going to be doing more inlay in the future. And hopefully with better tools. I'll be buying some smaller bits for sure.

Dennis, I know just what you mean about the dremel grabbing and wanting to pull to the side. It's just not a very rigid tool IMO. All the components have loose tolerances and a lot of play which contribute to this. As far as saw blades, I uses the fine blades available through stewmac. I think they did a good job and left a pretty good finish. There were only a couple places that I had to file and smooth out. As far as the narrow gaps where a file wouldn't fit I found that I could very carefully slip my saw in there and lightly use the saw to chip away at any high spots. Luckily I only had to clear away one little bump inside of there.

I like it! Congrats!

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