DIY Wood Insert Installation

Now you can insert your own wood inlays.

Inserting wood inlays into a wood surface is a great way to beautify and add decoration to an otherwise plain object. The application of wood inlays may be easier than you think. With the use of some common woodworking tools and different tones of wood, you can easily inlay one wood into another, to create a professional looking wood surface. Practice making different designs or patterns to personalize your woodworking project.

Things You'll Need

• Drill
• Drill bits
• Drill press
• Router
• Router bits
• Straightedges and clamps
• Wood dowels
• Wood strips
• Wood glue
• Sand paper

Instructions

1. Determine the type of inlay you would like to insert. You could easily inlay round wood dowels using a drill, or strips of wood using a router. Draw on the inlay grooves you will cut into the surface of your wood panel.

2. Drill or rout out the marked grooves you drew in Step 1. If drilling, use a drill press to achieve perpendicular holes, using a bit of the same diameter as your dowels, with the depth set to no more than 1/4 inch. Rout out grooves in your wood using a router with a bit that corresponds to the width of the wood inlay strip material. Set the depth of your router to no more than 1/4 inch. Use a guide, template and bearing bit where possible when making straight line grooves.

3. Clean the drilled or routed holes free of any sawdust, then apply a small amount of wood glue inside the groove. Cut your wood dowels or strip to just over 1/4 inch deep. Apply a small amount of glue and insert it into the hole or groove you created in Step 2. Push the wood insert firmly into its matching groove or hole, and allow the glue to dry for one day.

4. Sand the inlaid wood insert smooth to the surface of the wood using 220-grit sandpaper wrapped around a block to prevent creating an uneven level in the surface of your wood. If any gaps are found to exist between the insert and the wood surface, mix a little sawdust with some wood glue to make a paste and use it as filler material.

Tips & Warnings

• Use differently colored wood to make your inlay stand out against the wood surface.

• Always wear appropriate eye protection when working with power tools.

References

• Inlay.com; Wood Inlay; Chicago Park District; 1937
• YouTube; How to Inlay a Wood Inlay Banding; March 2010