Planing with the router and simple inlays

[harrysin]

The forum is a little light on for projects since the close of the competition so I thought that I would present a small project to demonstrate using the router mounted on skis also some simple inlay work.
The box frame was made some time ago to test a new mitre jig and seemed too good to bin. I had a board which was quite curved but had I passed it over the jointer a few times then through the planer it would have been paper thin so I cut it up to make the top and bottom and show here how I planed it with the router.

[harrysin]

The cut-out for the inlay is made with a template made for a previous project and just has a correct size hole for the template guide to follow, just a reminder on calculating the hole size:

Radius of guide + radius of cutter + size of the inlay = size of hole in template

[harrysin]

Well folks, that's it for now.

[harrysin]

Originally Posted by harrysin

Well folks, that's it for now.

Well, not quite, I've just found this shot which shows the set-up for routing the recess for the top inlay. The block at the right is the same height as the work-piece and is to keep the template level.

[challagan]

Okay Harry, I had a quick look this morning before I had to run off for the office and knew I wanted to look at this closer tonight. Glad I remembered!

The Ski thing really hasn't grabbed me until I seen those pics this morning. Now I can see a use for that one for a guy that doesn't have a planer. How thick was the board before you planed it and how thick after? Can I ask how come you didn't do the other side and is further warping etc. a concern ? Please understand that I am not badgering you on this... I sincerely don't know what to expect and that is why I asked. This intrigues me. Thanks for posting that Harry. I will have to check out those Ski instructions again. I have some box stock that is 3/8 and 1/2 inch that is curved with about a 1/16 off the level surface in the middle of the board so it seems I should be able to do this on both sides to save the stock, even if I end up with 1/4 to 3/8 stock... it will still be more usable then it is now.

The inlay.... That gets me all revved up. That's the kind of thing I want to do more of. I can use my Milescraft Inlay and Spirocrafter to make inlays and or carvings and this is really something I want to do on my boxes in the future. I like what you did on this and that's a neat little jazzed up box. I would have to use my inlay bushing set though or the Milescraft set up!

Thanks for the post Harry and all the pics! BTW, thats how I line my boxes as well. I use 1/8 hardboard on smaller boxes and cover them like that. I use mat board for larger boxes.

Corey

Another question, what cutter do you use for the planing operation. Looks like a spiral bit maybe cut wouldn't something flat bottomed like a hinge mortising or dado clean up bit work well for this?

[Bob]

Harry,

Oh La La..... Nice post!

Watching for your reply to Corey's questions for more info and hope you are an early riser

Gotta love that fantastic box.

[nzgeordie]

Lovely work, Harry! I particularly like the inlays. On the subject of planing with router, what kind of bit do you use? I've only tried it once (using a straight bit) and wound up with small circular marks on the board face - or is it that I just didn't level-up properly and keep a regular distance from the face?

[challagan]

Well I am heading to bed as I got to get up early in the morning and catch a plane. Be back on Thursday night and will check back then Harry. Have a good week all!

Corey

[tileart]

Harry, that is a beautiful box! I love the inlay. So far I've only been able to manage those out of granite.

Here's (another) stupid question: How did you make the inlay itself, or did you?
I would love to be able to present my customers with a box inlaid with a matching design of their tile work - that would definitely leave an impression.
(Please let me know if I should start a separate thread for this question.)

[challagan]

Pretty sure based on a previous post by Harry that he purchased the inlays. You can get them from different sources in the U.S. and abroad. Rockler sells them here in the U.S.

Corey