fretboard inlays with a dremel tool

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Permalink Reply by Don Thompson on August 8, 2010 at 3:08pm

For rounds, yes. I would use a 15/64" bit and a drill press, using a pointed punch to mark the spot. i would use a drill if careful but a drill press is better. Wrap some tape several times around the depth you want to act as a depth guage. Better to leave the inlay a tiny bit high and sand down level after gluing.
Don

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Permalink Reply by Don Goguen on August 8, 2010 at 7:45pm

I've been using a 1/4" highspeed router bit that I flattened the bottom of in a drill press. It works but I have been thinking about a system that would add more flexibility (like for diamond shapes).

Here is what I am putting together using a plunge router base on a dremel. It involves creating a template that spans over the fretboard with sides on top and bottom like in this drawing.

Using a burr style of cutter the shaft will follow the shape. You simply set the depth of cut and let the burr do the work. What I don't like about brad point drill bits is that you do not end up with a completely flat bottomed hole. The router solution solved that part for me but locked me into one size round mother of pearl dot.

I am currently working on my next build and am shopping for MOP shapes to try this with. Lowes has the plunge router base for the dremel tool, so I'll need to pick that up. Stew Mac has a good selection of burrs for this type of work.

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Permalink Reply by Mungo Park on August 8, 2010 at 9:13pm

I was thinking if something like this would work?
http://busybeetools.com/earchive/newsletter/newsletter07/article.htm
Cheers Ron.

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Permalink Reply by Brett Morgan on August 9, 2010 at 2:27am

Thanks guys, Don I hadn't thought of a router bit, I found a drill press for $99 might be a more accurate solution.

Brett

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Permalink Reply by Bob Harrison on August 10, 2010 at 2:00am

Thanks for posting the link.
Bob:)

Mungo Park said:

I was thinking if something like this would work?
http://busybeetools.com/earchive/newsletter/newsletter07/article.htm
Cheers Ron.

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Permalink Reply by Brett Morgan on August 10, 2010 at 2:25am

Ron I cant find the router inlay kit on the busybeetools website, do they sell them?

Brett

Mungo Park said:

I was thinking if something like this would work?
http://busybeetools.com/earchive/newsletter/newsletter07/article.htm
Cheers Ron.

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Permalink Reply by Skeesix on August 11, 2010 at 12:23am

If you're trying to choose between buying a router base or a drill press, I would buy a drill press first. I use the drill press way more than the dremel router base. (Unless you think you're going to be getting into fancy inlay work.)

For this project, any 6mm drill bit will work for the round MOP inlays. The bottom doesn't necessarily have to be flat. Just press them in and put a little thin super glue around the edges and let it soak in. Or use epoxy. They will never come back out.

And like Don says - a little high is better than a little low. You can practice on a scrap piece of wood to get the right depth worked out beforehand.

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Permalink Reply by Brett Morgan on August 11, 2010 at 2:31am

Good advice thanks, inlays are a bit scary when you haven't done them before, the only think fancy that I liked were the star inlays and maybe some ACDC lightning bolts.

Cheers

Brett

Skeesix said:

If you're trying to choose between buying a router base or a drill press, I would buy a drill press first. I use the drill press way more than the dremel router base. (Unless you think you're going to be getting into fancy inlay work.)

For this project, any 6mm drill bit will work for the round MOP inlays. The bottom doesn't necessarily have to be flat. Just press them in and put a little thin super glue around the edges and let it soak in. Or use epoxy. They will never come back out.

And like Don says - a little high is better than a little low. You can practice on a scrap piece of wood to get the right depth worked out beforehand.

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Permalink Reply by Ronnie Retherford on August 12, 2010 at 10:44pm

Used pearl dots for the first time. Used drill press to make holes, Elmer's white glue. Let glue dry, sand flush. No problem.

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