Diamond Wood Inlay Banding
Part 2
Shop-made Wood Inlay Banding
Wood inlay banding with the diamond pattern can be made in the woodworking shop
. However, up to now there has been little if any information available on how to make wood inlay banding with the diamond pattern. (You can read all about making diamond wood inlay banding using techniques that I have developed and have written about in a previous article on this blog.) This pattern is very distinctive and can embellish a number of woodworking projects
from picture frames, jewelry boxes, to a whole host of furniture pieces. It would work very well as an accent for a table top border. It could also be employed into a number of arts and crafts style pieces. How the diamond wood inlay banding is applied is simply up to the imagination of the woodworker.
Wood Inlay Strips of 3/32″
Wood inlay banding that is created in my shop is made to a uniform thickness of 3/32″. This operation is performed on the 
band saw. These veneer strips are then glued and inlaid into dadoes
that are 1/16″ deep. I prefer to keep 1/32″ of the wood inlay banding above the project’s surface. Once the white glue
cures, then the inlay banding can be leveled by scraping and sanding. The woodworker just needs to be careful so not to sand through the veneer.
Centering the Banding
Be sure to give some thought to the layout of the diamond wood inlay banding prior to adding glue
. For example, it is a good idea to center the wood inlay banding on every side of the picture frame. Doing so will give the wood inlay a symmetrical and pleasing appearance.
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is a great way to ensure that the woodworker is able to maintain cutting accuracy. As a result, routing wood with a template can also greatly improve efficiency and production in the 
.
. This measurement is now added to the outline of the diamond that is now on the MDF. This newly created outline is then cut out on the band saw and becomes our actual guide for routing wood. (Cut just shy of the line and clean up the cut with a 
.)
is an easy way to secure and align the position of the router template. Set the depth of the router bit just shy of the wood veneer to be inlaid. The next step is simply routing wood with a plunge router that has a 
. Cut along the outside edge of the template in a counter clockwise direction. Once this outline is cut it is then time to “hog” out all the remaining wood within the template.
, it is then time to remove our routing template. The outer points of our diamond pattern need to be further defined. We now take a straightedge and a pencil to outline the points and then proceed by using sharp 
to clean up the remaining wood. Finally, we can test fit our diamond wood veneer inlay. When we have our perfect fit, we can continue with the glue up and clamping.
is an inexpensive tool of flat steel. It is about the size of a index card and is used by the woodworker in the woodworking shop. The edges of this tool are polished and then a 
is used at an angle to produce a burr. This burr actually forms a hook. To use the card scraper hold each end with your fingers while pressing forward with both thumbs. This will cause the card scraper to flex. Tilt the scraper forward slightly to begin scraping with the flexed portion of the scraper. One beauty of the card scraper is that the woodworker can utilize the full length of the hooked edge. When that edge dulls, simply flip the card over and use another sharp edge. Each of the two length will have two hooked edges.
. It takes just a little time to understand how the 
marks. Many woodworkers will generally take a power sander with a heavy grit to remove these marks and then progress to finer grit sandpaper. However, a woodworker can eliminate a lot of the heavy 
by using the card scraper.
to level the wood surface. However, there is always the chance of bringing the surface too low thus ruining the wood inlay banding. Try using a card scraper and then a finer grit sandpaper to prepare for your choice of 
. However, the focus of this woodworking article is the art of wood inlay banding. So, let’s look at some examples of wood inlay banding made in the woodworking shop by fellow woodworkers.
. You will notice the detailed matching of the veneer on this lovely table. Also, notice how your eyes are drawn to the design at the center of the table. There is an effective wood inlay banding of olive and walnut that frames the featured center design. The other woods that make up the coffee table are ash and chestnut.
. In the photo we can see that Wolf’s tooth inlay banding is featured near the crown and base of this display case of Queensland maple. Steve made this keepsake project for one of his customers and it houses a ship’s barometer and clock, both of brass. This outstanding cabinet is finished with a blend of 
and 
.
the wood segments. Watch this YouTube video to learn how the woodworker uses a simple step by step woodworking system to ensure an accurate alignment of the wood inlay banding design.
. This white glue has a longer “open time” before it starts to set up. This is very helpful when working with a lot of wood segments and when a woodworker is trying to arrange and secure the pattern of wood inlay banding. This white glue is also a strong wood glue when gluing wood to wood.
is also a good choice of wood adhesive. Just keep in mind, the woodworker may have figure out how to glue wood quickly. This can depend on factors like temperature, humidity, and the complexity of the wood inlay banding patterns.
in a manner that will secure the alignment of the wood segments to be first laid down. Use a 
to create a 90 degree angle with the straight edge of the board and the first segment. Be sure to press the wooden segment down firmly on the blue painters tape. Now it is just a matter of carefully arranging the following segments in place.
when preparing for the following glue-up.
