I am wondering if I can get some help with the chess board inlay? I have not tried the inlay mode yet but I think I understand the mechanics of it where I have to mirror the inlay and create a male and female for the job. I scaled this down and I am going to be practicing on some pine I have here but I am going to eventually scale this up with Walnut and Maple but I am not sure I have the design setup right and I am asking for somebody to consider checking this out.
I am attaching the design file with the tool paths. Its going to be about a week before I can get to this and try this out but if any of you can help with the input and let me know if I am the right track it would be very helpful.
I have this and 3d cutting are the last two things I have yet to master and do effectively but some of the 3d work I am pretty impressed with but now I would like to work with Inlays so why not try with a chess.
On the male side you need a plug depth and a Top gap that should together equal the depth of the female. Since this is a first try, I would start with a smaller plug depth & larger top gap, then adjust as necessary. Plug Depth: 0.150 Top Gap: 0.100. Cut this, then fit the female side without moving the male. Measure the top gap and adjust. I think, ideally you want about a 0.010" bottom gap for glue. So if it measures 0.080 that means you’re getting 0.020 of extra compression or slop when you press them together. then adjust your Plug to 0.220, and top gap to 0.030.
thank you very much for this input, and I am going to have to just try and do, and try fail again until I get it right. I have inlays and 3d carving that I am moving into now and its pretty much the last thing to master. I made a spoon the other day and it came out great. I am going to remake the JIG and of course I can sell any of this stuff because it takes too long to make, nobody is going to pay $100 for a wood spoon, but they will pay $1,000 for a really nice chessboard that I can make in two days.
This inlay was a little confusing to me so on my way home tonight I am going to stop by and pick up some cheap pine to practice on I think.
