How Are Inlays & Patchboxes Leveled With The Wood?

[LOZ]

I have finished inletting my patchbox and a cheek piece. I am very satisfied with the fit of both. Most of the brass is slightly below of the wood. There are a few spots where the brass is level or raised.
So when I sand the area to level the wood with the brass or vise-versa how do I keep the wood surface from falling below the brass? It seems the brass sands slower than the wood and if I am not careful the wood surface will be below the brass.

Also, my inletting is close and tight. What should I expect after the whiskering, stain and finish. Is there such a thing as a fit too close?

[Stophel]

File, don't sand.  If you must sand, use a block.  Do not let your file or sanding block bear on only one, wood or metal, ever.  Work them together always.   Be aware of the grain direction, and the highs and lows, and work it where appropriate.  They say file towards the metal to keep metal bits from getting in the wood, but  personally I never had a problem with that.

[LOZ]

Thank you for the information. A file makes sense. I can use a file on the patchbox. It will be hard to use a file on the cheek piece unless I cut a file shorter and round the leading edge. The brass seems soft so maybe a light touch on the metal will not hurt the wood. Thanks again.

[rich pierce]

It looks good to have the brass bits slightly above the wood. That happens as wood shrinks over time anyway.