Inlay with Block Letters?

[bowers25]

I have been asked by a great friend to build a toy box / bookshelf for his grandson. The project is very simple & straight forward, can be completed within 8 to 10 years. However I wanted to add a surprise (something my friend is not expecting).........I wanted to add a name plate to the project. BLOCK letters inlaid...... name 'BLAKE". Don't know if I making this harder than it needs to be? My question is......"How do I inlay the insides of the block "B" and "A"?.........Do I reverse my boarder (bottom) piece to the top and then cut out the insides of the "B" and "A"? Any advise would be appreciated.  

Be Safe!

[WayneMahler]

I did 2 of them for my grand sons. I cut out the letters, marked the space on the front of the toy box. Traced the letters to the box then routed out the area where the letters would go. A little clean up with a sharp chisel then glued into place.  Hope this helps.

 

[MrsN]

I think that the middle of the letters becomes sort of an inlay on an inlay, If that makes sense.

[Doug]

5 hours ago, bowers25 said:

The project is very simple & straight forward, can be completed within 8 to 10 years

"simple & straight forward" . . . "8 to 10 years".  You are a lot younger and more patient than me!  But then I no longer by green bananas for fear they may go to waste.

[bowers25]

12 minutes ago, Doug said:

"simple & straight forward" . . . "8 to 10 years".  You are a lot younger and more patient than me!  But then I no longer by green bananas for fear they may go to waste.

LOL.......8 to 10 hours.......I needed a good laugh today, Thanks

[Denny Knappen]

Katie is right .  It would be an inlay within an inlay.  Jim Finn on the forum is an expert at inlay.  By the way, he is from Texas.

[Dan]

Depending on the direction of tilt on your saw, if you cut one direction the top layer will slide into the bottom piece. If you cut the opposite direction the bottom piece will slide into the top piece. It's always good to mark the pattern as to which direction you want to cut. Practice on some scraps first. 

Edited December 19, 2017 by Dan

[bowers25]

13 hours ago, Dan said:

Depending on the direction of tilt on your saw, if you cut one direction the top layer will slide into the bottom piece. If you cut the opposite direction the bottom piece will slide into the top piece. It's always good to mark the pattern as to which direction you want to cut. Practice on some scraps first. 

Roger That........I will practice on a few scrap pieces first & marking the direction of the cut is great advice (never cross my mind).

[bowers25]

Thanks all for your help.......greatly appreciated. 

[amazingkevin]

Just now, WayneMahler said:

I did 2 of them for my grand sons. I cut out the letters, marked the space on the front of the toy box. Traced the letters to the box then routed out the area where the letters would go. A little clean up with a sharp chisel then glued into place.  Hope this helps.

 

beautyful work Wayne!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Lucky2]

Yes I agree with Katie, they would be an inlay inside of an inlay. And they should be placed in place, before the outer piece is. It is a whole lot easier to inlay them, before the outer piece is inlaid.  

Len

[Jim Finn]

This is how I approach this issue:  First, I avoid block letters when doing inlay.  Cursive is much more forgiving.  I do a little block lettering when needed and I use the same method for cutting the inside of a D or an A or other letters like that.  I just cut right through the letter to get to the inside, and cut the inside  out keeping the letter to the right of my blade at all times. (I have my left side of my saw table tilted down and the wood to be inlaid on the underside)  After cutting out the inside piece and removing it, I back the running saw blade out of the inside of the letter where I entered.  Then continue on with the outside of the letter.  When gluing the letter in place I insert the inlay from the back side  and then turn the piece over and glue in the center part from the front.  Works like a charm.

Edited December 22, 2017 by Jim Finn