Wooden Inlay/Puzzle Type Technique

[lilgodwin]

A few months ago I came across a picture of a set of belt buckles. I searched, but couldn't find it to use as an example. From what I remember, it looked like two different woods were used, and someone had (possibly) stacked the woods and cut out an image of a revolver. Then they removed the revolver from each wood and switched them. The result was a dark buckle with a light revolver, and a light buckle with a dark revolver.

It's possible, too, that I'm completely making this up. Regardless, I'm curious how this would be done. Particularly, the thing I'm finding hard to understand is how you can do something like this, with what I believe to be no gap between the background and inlay (is that the right term?). I'm not looking to do the exact same thing, but I have a small project, similar to a standard wall plaque, that would benefit from this type of technique. I suppose I'd relate it to doing a puzzle.

I THINK I want to use the scroll saw to do this, but I'm not sure. Might a bandsaw with a 1/8" blade be better? Just looking for some advice, thanks!

Image below for reference of what I want to do using 2-3 different colored woods.

[rpd]

I think this is the thread you were thinking of. Belt Buckles
Use a fine scroll saw blade on a scroll saw or jig saw.

[BuckeyeDennis]

One way to close up the kerf is by cutting the pieces with beveled edges. Here's an old Shopsmith tip for doing this with the jigsaw. Scroll down almost to the bottom of the page, to the "Cutting Bevels" section.

Given the workpiece thickness and the kerf width, you can calculate the bevel angle needed to get the pieces to fit together flush.

[lilgodwin]

How did I not find that. I was on my phone doing every search I could think of to pull that thread up.

So what's the process? Use a fine blade, expect some wood glue to fill the gap, then just sand after drying?

[dgreen810]

This is an example of stacking, cutting on an angle and then reversing. There is NO gap. As you can see the piece below is almost half way through the top piece. It's been a long time since I made these but I think the angle was about 12 degrees.

Don G

[reible]

When it doubt it is a good idea to do a test with the woods and process and tools involved. Try making something very simple and then looking at the results, do you like how it turned out?

A few things to think about might be if you want only one finished product or do you want to make use of the stack, in your case a stack of 3 would yield 3. Each would vary as to what color is where. If doing only one then do you want that 3-D look or do you want it flat?

If you want to make more then have you thought about color veneers, even with a few pieces that still might make sense but would lack the depth that has been shown...

Pretty sure this is a jig/scroll saw project. Well unless this is going to be large like a couple of feet tall. I have heard of spiral bandsaw blades so if that has to be the tool of necessity then you might want to research that. I've never seen on but I have seen them mentioned.

Looking forward to seeing that project when you have finished.

Ed

[JPG]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intarsia

[lilgodwin]

That looks really cool, Don. But I'm wanting it to turn out more like the belt previously mentioned. I am contemplating whether to use 3 different colors, or 2 different colors and the black areas being just empty cut-outs. I would like it to be flush though, as if it was 1 piece of wood. In this instance I don't see the raised effect working out so well as in your example.

I'll be making 2 of these plaques for my instructors. And you brought up a good point Reible. I do want to do some sort of finish (a stain, I think), along with using different woods. But I have absolutely no knowledge of what types of stain there are, which to pick, etc. Suggestions are certainly welcome!

I kinda like the finish that you have in your example, Don. It's not overly glossy. I think it's a great look, especially for what I'm wanting to do. Remember what you used?

[jsburger]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intarsia

Don's pictures are like Intarsia but the belt buckles are like Marquerty.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marquetry

[reible]

If veneer would work this is an example of it being pre-colored:

http://www.woodcraft.com/product/131397 ... -pack.aspx

Other places also sell this sort of thing.

Ed