How to Make Butterfly Inlays

Butterfly inlays are decorative and have no structural function.

Butterfly inlays appear on all types of wooden objects, ranging from doors to table tops. While at first they may appear to be joints holding the wood together, they are entirely decorative. Woodworkers use templates for butterfly keys that range in size from 1 1/4 to 2 1/2 inches wide and 1/8 to 3/16 inches thick. The most effective inlays contrast in color with the underlying wood, such as a cherry inlay on white oak.

Things You'll Need

• Plunge router
• Wood
• Template guide
• Clamp, or double-sided carpet tape
• Bandsaw
• Chisel
• Wood glue
• Brown paper
• Board
• Sander or scraper

Instructions

1. Route the butterfly wood in the stock with the template affixed to the base of the router, setting aside the removable collar.

2. Attach the centering pin and pull the collar taut. Detach the centering pin and attach the carbide bit. Set the plunge router to 1/8 inch deeper than the depth of your template. Keep the template held to the stock using either a clamp or double-sided carpet tape.

3. Cut the butterflies along the pattern in a clockwise direction. When you have cut all the inlays that you require, cut them from the stock with the bandsaw.

4. Place the removable collar back on the template guide. Set the plunge router to a depth between 1/32 and 1/64 inch less than that of the inlays.

5. Place the template on the wood, where you wish to insert the first butterfly, and then clamp or tape it down. Ensure that you align the template on the work piece.

6. Route the recess, taking care not to damage the fragile, solid carbide bit. Chisel the corners square to allow the inlay to fit.

7. Apply glue around the recess and insert the inlay. Wipe away any excess glue from around the edge of the butterfly.

8. Lay a sheet of brown paper across the inlay and clamp a board on top. Repeat this process with the other butterfly keys.

9. Wet the brown paper from the inlays to remove it when the glue is dry. Sand the top of the inlays, or use a scraper, if they require leveling.

References

• American Furniture Design: The Trick to Butterfly Inlays