routing perfect arcs on ####small scale
Quickstep
| Posted in General Discussion on
I’m planning to do a shooting star inlay on a banjo fingerboard.
If things go according to plan, the star will be a MOP star and the tails will be square gold wire. I’m trying to figure out how to rout perfect, fluid curves for the tails. I’ve practiced a few freehand and they’re pretty good, but not good enough. As you know, sometimes the grain and the rotation of the bit will sometimes make the bit go astray when routing freehand. If this were a furniture size thing, I’d make a template and use a bit with a bearing, but I don’t know how to do it on such a small scale. I’m using a Dremel tool and a precision router base. Any ideas?
Replies
Have you seen this?
http://www.amazon.com/Art-Inlay-Expanded-Technique-Woodworking/dp/0879308354/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1238600341&sr=1-1
Don't know if you can buy guide bushings for the Dremel base, but if not, you should be able to kludge something up so you can use a template.
Mike Hennessy
Pittsburgh, PA
Skip the router and use a knife?
I'd think a fine blade and lots of time might do it.
Cut the arc you want in a piece of 3/4" mdf and ride the bit shaft against it. For accurate positioning, glue a piece ov veneer to the bottom and cut it with the bit. Then you know exactly where the bit will cut.
Dick
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