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Calligraphy

Calligraphy (post #169632)

MichaelB on Thu, 01/19/2012 - 06:26

General Discussion

Hi all. I have a question about doing a inlay for a blanket chest using something that's a liquid and would contrast with ash. I want to do calligraphy for my grand daughters hope chest. The plan is to route and chisel out the letters then fill with something that will flow into the fine lines and sand flush. First plan was to buy the letters inset a bit proud then sand flush. I checked the craft stores and couldn't find the font I like. Any suggestions are more than welcome Thanks

inlaid letters (post #169632, reply #1 of 6)

by wdwerker in reply to MichaelB [original] on Thu, 01/19/2012 - 07:39

I have done something similar to this with wood filler. Be careful on ash or oak to keep the filler out of the surrounding open grain. Maybe you should mask off the area before you route and chisel your letters out. Be careful when pulling the masking off, too soon can lift the soft filler, to late and the masking is trapped by the hardened filler.

Colored epoxy might look nice too. I would definitely practice on scraps of ash before I took a chance on messing up the chest.

epoxy (post #169632, reply #2 of 6)

by RalphBarker in reply to MichaelB [original] on Thu, 01/19/2012 - 10:05

I think colored epoxy may be your best bet here. It's fluid enough to allow it to be coaxed into fine detail (serifs and such), but viscous enough to avoid bleeding into surrounding edge grain too easily. You still might want to consider "sealing" the surface with dewaxed shellac prior to applying/pouring the epoxy, though,

If you do a search on "epoxy inlay" here, you'll find several discussions that may be useful in terms of recommended products and techniques.

Sounds like a beautiful project (post #169632, reply #3 of 6)

by roc in reply to MichaelB [original] on Thu, 01/19/2012 - 23:29

Please post photos when done or while in progess.

roc

Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe. Abraham Lincoln ( 54° shaves )

Inlay (post #169632, reply #4 of 6)

by Metod in reply to MichaelB [original] on Fri, 01/20/2012 - 05:17

In addition to what Ralph said: There was an article in FWW some years back on using epoxy for inlay.

Best wishes,

Metod

apoxy (post #169632, reply #5 of 6)

by swenson in reply to MichaelB [original] on Fri, 01/20/2012 - 07:42

I have used a colored epoxy, brand named Apoxy to fill voids in knots and like it a lot. It is a clay / epoxy mix, the version I used was called Sculpt, if I remember right, and was used in Hollywood to make parts of the alien in Alien I. I used black, but there were other colors too