Inlay question

[Larry VanWinkle]

Has anyone out there used ground turquoise with epoxy or the inlace products for inlay work on flat panels? I know it is used in turnings but I would like to use it as a decorative feature on some flat lidded boxes. Any tips, tricks or insight?

Thanks!

Larry

[Bruce Volden]

Larry,

I have done this many times, You can buy it (turquoise, malachite...etc) already "ground up" or do it yerself. I haven't used epoxy 'tho, I prefer thick AND thin CA and accelerant. It sands fairly easy and finishes GREAT!! Wear a mask or respirator to avoid breathing the dust!! Can cause silicosis????


Bruce

[julie Graf]

i've used epoxy, and it works fine. i start with the big chunks of stone with epoxy, then finish it off with the smaller stuff and the CA.

you can buy chunks of turquoise and smash it up yourself.

this was done with epoxy:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2290/1692152622_655fbea737.jpg

[Larry VanWinkle]

i've used epoxy, and it works fine. i start with the big chunks of stone with epoxy, then finish it off with the smaller stuff and the CA.

you can buy chunks of turquoise and smash it up yourself.

this was done with epoxy:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2290/1692152622_655fbea737.jpg


Julie,

That is perfect - just what I am looking for. Is the turquoise difficult to finish flush with the surface and can use use regular finishing tools such as planes and scrapers?

Thanks for your help.

[Bruce Volden]

Larry,

I use sili-carb sand paper starting @ 80-100 grit and work on up from there. If things protrude too high, start with a file. Can't say I'd use a plane :eek: or scraper :eek: as I'm too lazy to re-surface the blades (which I guarantee you would need to do!) For final finish I have run things up to 1500 grit and it will look like glass :cool: More questions? feel free to ask away.

Here's a table from some time back. http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=22575

Bruce

[julie Graf]

what bruce said.

it's not difficult - the turquoise is surprisingly soft.

tip - don't sand until you have most of it in - use a shot of air to clean things out and reglue. if you sand every time, the area you are inlaying will be lower than the rest of the piece.

i actually start with a belt sander instead of a file. never thought of a file though.

cheers.

[Cliff Rohrabacher]

Check out this brave young woman's effort. I think her work is astounding.


http://www.mimf.com/archives/hopkins_snakefiddle.htm