Inlays, or how to hide mistakes...

Maybe some of you have already seen photos of the 12’-something that I’m currently shaping for PierreB. Those will know that I put some fake stringers in it, trying to follow the outline of the board:

Unfortunately, as I was doing the same on the bottom, it seems that the curve was too much for the “stringers” to stand and they refused to join with the center stringer, leaving a gap in between. Not funny and not good-looking either… After giving it some thought, I came out with the idea of inlaying a piece of red cedar over the “mistake”. Here’s the process, for those interested:

Make a template for the router:

Route:

Cut the wood pieces:

Use 5-minute epoxy:

Glue-in:

Plane and sand:

Call PierreB and say: “Wow, mate, I just had a great idea to make the board look even better, look…”

Exquisite work as always Balsa.

Nice addition…

New router…???..

Not really new, Paul. it’s my old Dremel tool with its router attachment. Very nice for precision work as you can use 1/8" bits.

Thank you, Llilibel, although not deserved for such a crook act…

Guilhem - That is one beautiful shape. Nicely done!! The wood details are a real treat.

The mark of a true craftsman: Knowing how to fix your whoopsie’s.

Beautiful.

Balsa, I love your stringer work. The diamond inlay looks the nuts too.