First crude atempt at inlay

[Jim Finn]

8 hours ago, Rockytime said:

 Looks wonderful. Why the 6 degrees? Won't that leave a hole  farther from the edge of the pattern? Just would like to understand. I cant't see an entry hole on your photo.                                                        

The reson for the six degree angle of the starter hole is because I use a 1/16" drill bit .  A smaller bit could use less of an angle, true, but using a smaller bit does not work well for me because if the blade just barely fits through the starter hole the tensioned blade will hold the wood at too big an angle and can bend or break the blade.

     Here is a trick I recently learned about hiding the starter hole.  If after doing your inlay cut out and before gluing it in place , if the starter hole will be visible I lightly sand it away at the top surface and the bottom surface in the to be inlayed wood and in the background wood.  I then glue the inlay in place and after the glue has set I use filler, made from glue and sanding dust and apply it.  Now the starter hole just looks like a very slight wide spot in the outline.  If one does not know where it is it is very hard to find.

[Fab4]

9 hours ago, Jim Finn said:

Having done thousands of inlays does not make me an expert.( but I have sold them all !  ).

     I tilt my table at about 2 degrees but I  drill my 1/16' starter hole at about 6 degrees just inside the image side of the line with the wood to be inlayed under the background  wood.  Here is a photo of  my very first attempt!  (I sold it)

)

Hi Jim
Have to agree with you about your statement of not being a expert
You are a "WIZARD" at what you do and a "WIZARD" is way above an expert
Keep up the great work and look forward to seeing more of your wizardry 
Fab4