br549 wroteVery nice work indeed.
As far as removing and re-doing the maple strip, how about using a small trim router or dremel type tool? Some cleanup may be required with chisels or knives to finish and get nice square corners, but a guided power tool may be more accurate for the bulk of the removal. It may be more than you want to remove, but removing all 4 of the maple strips might be easier than just the one.
How thick is the maple? What was the sequence of assembly of the box lid and the maple strips in the first place? Would it be possible to cut the lid down to just the dark center area with the inlay and then add new maple/dark edges?
Removing the banding with a router was one thought. I actually have the router out, mounted a fence and chucked a 1/8" bit - then I decided I'd ask around and maybe someone will have a tried and true method.
The banding is 1/16" thick and 5/32" wide. The marquetry inlay is attached to a piece pw with contact cement. The edges of the lid have grooves that captures the pw. After dry fitting everything a rabbit was cut on the edge of the inlay/pw assembly at the router table. I glued it together. Then I started fitting the banding. Working with hand tools has never been a strength. But two of the three I made came out well and this one has the walnut coming through.
