Replies

1. 
   sleepydad | Mar 24, 2008 05:29pm | #1

   Butterfly Key?

   anybody know of good; here's how I do it artical?

    

2. 
   AlanWS | Mar 24, 2008 05:30pm | #2

   Butterfly inlay.

1. 
   sleepydad | Mar 24, 2008 05:48pm | #3

   also dovetail key

1. 
   AlanWS | Mar 24, 2008 07:20pm | #4

   I wasn't trying to correct you: I didn't see your second post when I entered mine. A google search for butterfly inlay will find several how-to articles.

1. 
   sykesville | Mar 24, 2008 07:41pm | #5

   who cares what they are called.  call them what you like, that's a beautiful table. Did you make that sleepydad?

   jack

   ps: do tell, what is behind your screen name?

1. 
   sleepydad | Mar 24, 2008 08:20pm | #6

   Behind the screenname?  I'm just a sleepy dad.  If you have ever had small children running around you will be sleepy.  My son is full tilt bogie 100% of the time; or as some people say "your son is very active isn't he; my goodness."  I have been told there is no perpetual motion machine; that is a complete lie they just have not met William yet.<!----><!----><!---->

   No that's not my table.  I like the top but the base is too thick me.  I was thinking about incorporating some of those dovetail keys in some doors I'm making for my house.  So it would be more than inlay.  I would be counting on some structural aspects.  Maybe a 1/4" thick.  I was going to put some joining rails and stiles. <!----><!---->

   I just couldn’t remember what the heck they were called… <!----><!---->

   George Nakashima incorporated them extensively into his work.  It was the first place I saw them used.  But I understand they date way back to days of yore and beyond.  I read something about those cleaver Egyptians doing something similar.<!----><!---->

   I’m looking for a how to before I start messing with them… it helps get me started thinking about how and what I’m going to need.

2. 
   sleepydad | Mar 24, 2008 08:24pm | #7

   found some blogs with your butterfly inlay that look good thanks.

3. 
   jagwah | Mar 25, 2008 04:24am | #8

   go to http://www.woodcraft.com

   View Image

    

1. 
   sleepydad | Mar 25, 2008 04:09pm | #9

   Where do the keys come from?  I guess you could cut them on the table saw.  Templates not so useful without the keys or someway to cut them with precision.

   View Image

    

    

    

1. 
   jagwah | Mar 25, 2008 04:36pm | #10

   The woodcraft jigs uses an inlay bushing and bit. This way the bow ties are at best 1/4" thick.

   The butterfly spline has similar limiting issues. A few years ago I made several 2" thick cutting boards for a client using this look but I hand cut the key ways and table sawed the bow ties with a final hand planed fit.

   If your doing a large table like the original photo then it should be worth the time and labor to just hand cut and fit the keys. 

1. 
   sleepydad | Mar 25, 2008 05:00pm | #11

   Thanks; that’s the same conclusion I was coming 2.  <!----><!----><!---->

1. 
   bigfootnampa | Mar 25, 2008 06:28pm | #12

   Cut your inlays first and then use them as marking jigs to draw the outlines for the mortises.  Use a 1/4" router bit and a small trim router to cut to the lines.  Make shallow cuts and then deepen the mortise in small steps.  You'll find this surprisingly controllable.  Hog out the centers and then shave gently up to your lines.  The router bits will not get into the corners so use chisels to clean up the pointy places.  Once you master this technique you can make inlays of many shapes and sizes.  I usually do a bit of trial fitting and paring till I get the inlays matched to the mortices just right.  Patient work will get you near perfect fits consistently.

4. 
   Soetermans | Mar 25, 2008 07:52pm | #13

   Sleepy:

   I've heard them called "dutchmen", although I'm not sure how they got that name.

1. 
   MikeHennessy | Mar 25, 2008 07:57pm | #14

   A "Dutchman" is usually a patch, covering an imperfection, like covering over an old boring for a lock, or a knot. They are usually 1/4" thick or less, diamond or oval shaped, and are not structural -- just a surface patch shaped to blend in with the rest of the surface as much as possible. At least, that's how I always heard/used the term.

   Mike HennessyPittsburgh, AP

1. 
   sleepydad | Mar 25, 2008 08:23pm | #15

   this is completely unrelated so feel free to ignore it... I’m just sticking it at the end of the thread<!----><!----><!---->

   but I happened across this and it just is so completely amazing to me.  I have an engineering background so I can appreciate the work done to pull it this off.  <!----><!---->

   The Cassini craft snapped this picture.  It’s a total eclipse from the back side of Saturn.  746 million miles away they figured out how to position the craft to take that picture.  Seven years it took the craft to get there; after all that it still works and can take a snap like that.<!----><!---->

   They are spending my tax dollars and I’m impressed at what they can pull off.  I need to put stuff like that up in my shop to remind myself it’s only wood.<!----><!---->

   <!---->http://www.nasa.gov/images/content/162056main_PIA08329.jpg<!---->

   <!----> <!---->

2. 
   [email protected] | Mar 26, 2008 08:27am | #16

   Actually dutchman are easiest to blend in, if they are irregular shapes, with the wood matching the grain and color of the wood you are fixing.  Properly done they disappear.  There was an article in one of the recent issues on veneer repair, where the author was splicing in irregular shaped repair patches that disappeared.   

   If you use a regular geometric shape, then it is more attractive to make it a design feature, using a contrasting wood, in multiple locations.  

   They are "Dutchman", because the dutch cabinet makers were known for their frugality,  and good use of less than perfect wood with good results.