Inletting Question

[QuanLoi]

Using the patchbox as an example, after beveling the edges, is the brass inlet down to the surface of the wood or just shy of the surface and then filed down flush using the bevel to ensure contact with the wood?  I've seen patchboxes and inlays that seem to seamlessly grow out of the edge of the wood but I have trouble achieving such a tight fit.  In the past, I've inlet down to the surface of the wood and am always plagued by gaps in small areas.

Thanks in advance...

Decker

[smylee grouch]

Using the patchbox as an example, I like to bring the brass down to just proud of the wood surface and file it flush. I still end up with some gaps but I would bet others do too and even some of the old masters had a gap or two.

[J. Talbert]

With pretty much any inlay, work it down to the best metal to wood fit you can get, then file the wood and metal together to get that ideal seamless smooth surface.  Keep the inlay in place for most of the final wood sanding or scraping to avoid destroying the wood edges, but avoid excessive sanding over top of the metal lest you drag metal particles into the wood.  Some very light sanding or scraping can be done with the inlay removed, but you risk rounding over edges.
Later you can remove the inlay for final polishing, using care to avoid rounding over any edges.

This method works best for me, though there are surely others.

Jeff

[Jim Kibler]

One thing to remember is that the draft you file on is really not very much at all.  Maybe just a few degrees.  Just enough that you can tell it is there.