I’ve got some nice wood in thick blocks that I’m planning to use for my next keel fin project and I’d like to do some type of multi-wood design. Is it better to cut the blocks into the proper thickness and then glue the inlay patterns, or can I glue the inlay patterns with the thick blocks and then cut the whole thing into sheets? The second way seems easier and would guarantee identical patterns for each fin, but I haven’t done much wood working since 8th grade shop so I thought I’d ask the experts. Also, is Elmer’s wood glue good enough or is there a better glue that I should use?
A band saw will waste less wood than a table saw, since the blade is thinner. Getting a straight cut is more challenging though. I would think that you would have an easier time cutting the boards before gluing them. Slicing a 1/2’’ piece off of a fully glued 9’’ wide plank seems like it would be challenging. As long as you make all of your pieces the same size then you shouldn’t have a problem getting the patterns to match.
Elmer’s wood glue is probably fine, but I like to use Titebond III. You can get up it at Rockler on Clairmont Mesa Blvd.