Replies

1. 
   9619 | Oct 12, 2007 03:41pm | #1

   Jeremy,
   Hello, good to meet you.
   Let me make a suggestion. Knots is a great place to get info from lots of woodworkers. Many are professional and most are excellent hobbyists. They are very happy to take the time to answer questions from others. Actually, they enjoy it.

   BUT

   They really like it when the person asking the question demonstrates that they have made a good effort to find out the info on their own. If I were you, I would have gotten on Google, Amazon, Ebay, etc,
   and done a search on something like "inlay woodworking". I just did so. It took less than a few seconds. You will find a lot of books.

   I don't know which is the "Best". Generally the best book for anyone is based on what their background is, and you didn't provide any info on that. In general, you can't go wrong with the stuff that Taunton puts out. You will find a Taunton book at
   http://www.amazon.com/Veneering-Marquetry-Inlay-Best-Woodworking/dp/1561581194

   Just go to Amazon at that address and you will see a book entitled
   Veneering, Marquetry and Inlay (Best of Fine Woodworking) (Paperback)

   They sell in Used condition for less than $5.

   I don't do inlay, so I don't know if this is the best book, but I'll bet you cant go wrong with it.

   I hope that helps. Please don't get mad at me for offering a suggestion on how to get the best info out of the folks on Knots. That was just a suggestion.

   Have fun, and good luck.
   Mel

   Measure your output in smiles per board foot. 

1. 
   jeremyillingworth | Oct 13, 2007 08:22am | #2

   >If I were you, I would have gotten on Google, Amazon, Ebay, etc, and done a search on something like "inlay woodworking". I just did so. It took less than a few seconds. You will find a lot of books.

   I did that.  And I did find a lot of books.  Which was sort of the problem.  There are dozens, if not more, books on the subject of inlay.  I don't have the financial resources to purchase them all nor the time to read them all.  I though somebody who frequents the forums here may have read some and could suggest a favorite or perhaps somebody who only read one and can give some feedback as to whether they consider it to be worth the money.

   jeremy

1. 
   9619 | Oct 13, 2007 07:06pm | #3

   Jeremy,
   OK, I was just trying to help you get more responses in the future. You said that you did research on the books. That's great. However, in your message, you didn't say that you did. Many people here on Knots just won't respond to someone who looks like they haven't done their homework. As you can see, I am the only one who has responded so far, so maybe there is some truth to what I said. I know that I have seen it said by others many times. So you can take it or leave it. But I believe you'll get more and better responses if you actually show and describe the homework that you have done. For example, you could have listed some of the books, and shown how you did the searches to get them. I'd also recommend that in the future, until everybody gets to know you, that you list some of your background in woodwork, so they know how to answer.There is no need to respond to my message. I am just offering suggestions.
   Have fun and good luck with your inlaying. When you finish your first piece, you should put a photo up. MelMeasure your output in smiles per board foot. 

2. 
   mvflaim | Oct 14, 2007 06:31am | #4

   This book is pretty good. I own it along with others on marquetry. Has lots of step by step pictures to help you understand the process. I'm not sure if it's the best book available but for $5.00 it's a good place to start.

   http://product.half.ebay.com/Marquetry_W0QQtgZinfoQQprZ1708233

   Mike

    

1. 
   Ron01960 | Oct 14, 2007 06:52am | #5

   I haven't seen the book Mike was referring to. But I have a number of others. I don't think any one book will do it.
   There are a numbers of ways of doing inlay, different adhesives, etc.I always like to start at the beginning, Fine Wood Working on marquetry and veneer. Its black and white and a good read.This will answer most of your questions.Ron

3. 
   mrfu | Oct 15, 2007 06:38am | #6

   Jeremy,
   There are a couple of different widely used definitions of what inlay is.
   1. would be the type usually found on traditional pieces of furniture that consists of stringing and sometimes smaller floral or shell details.
   2. would be marquetry which is a picture made of wood veneers Silas Kopf does some amazing stuff as does Craig Stevens and Greg Zall, all 3 have written about it in fww.
   3. this would be the type of inlay found in musical instruments done in a combo of wood, shell, metal and other materials.

   I think if you were wanting to learn either of the first two the Veneering and marquetry book by FWW mentioned above would be a good start and you really can't go wrong.

   If you want to learn about musical instruments style inlay "The Art of Inlay" by Larry Robinson is one of the best books out there, he also has some DVD's.
   http://www.amazon.com/Art-Inlay-Expanded-Technique-Woodworking/dp/0879308354/ref=pd_sim_b_5/103-0353385-5253437
   Tom Stockton

1. 
   HoustonHeights | Oct 15, 2007 08:33pm | #8

   For inlay, I second the recommendation for the Larry Robinson book "Art of Inlay."  I bought it without realizing that the focus of the book was inlay on guitars.  At first, I considered returning it, but thought I'd read a few pages before dropping it in the mail.  Once I started, however, I had trouble putting it down.  The book is thorough without being long winded, and has lots of practical tips from someone who obviously is a master at the craft.  Needless to say, I didn't return the book.  More importantly, I didn't feel the need to purchase any other book on the subject.  The Robinson book is truly the only inlay book you'll need.

1. 
   jeremyillingworth | Oct 16, 2007 02:50am | #9

   I saw that book but on Amazon it did look guitar heavy.  I wish somebody here stocked such books so I could browse them before making a decision.

   jeremy

1. 
   HoustonHeights | Oct 16, 2007 02:59am | #10

   Whether you are doing inlay on a guitar, box, table, chair, or secretary, the method is the same. You cut the inlay, scribe it on the work piece, excavate the work piece, and adhere the inlay into the work piece.  Like I said in my previous post, even though the book is geared towards guitar makers, you are not going to find a better book on inlay (in my opinion).  The other inlay books I browsed seemed much more geared towards beginners.  This book is a book that even a pro would appreciate.

2. 
   KiddervilleAcres | Oct 17, 2007 07:24pm | #12

   jw,

   I was/am researching 18c. American Furniture.  At the suggestion of a fellow Knothead, I took a list to our local library and they were able to get all of them from other libraries in the state.  Might try that and you can get a feel for their content B4 purchasing.

   Just a thought and good luck in your quest.

   Regards,

   Bob @ Kidderville Acres

    

   A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!

   Edited 10/17/2007 12:24 pm ET by KiddervilleAcres

4. 
   RickL | Oct 15, 2007 06:38pm | #7

   Best is a relative term. What's best for you maybe the worst for someone else. http://www.cambiumbooks.com is a good source. Pretty much all the books they stock are of top quality so you don't have to worry about getting a dumbed down book. They started selling through Amazon a few years ago to keep thier stocking costs down but they endorse what they sell.

5. 
   RMillard | Oct 16, 2007 01:16pm | #11

   Jeremy,

   I've looked at a book by Zachary Taylor (can't remember the title and there may be more than one book by him) , that was good, and there is one other I looked at that was nicely done, by Jack Metcalfe and John Apps, titled The Marquetry Course.

   There are very few books on making inlay bandings, which is what I'm most interested in. I've actually found only one. It is by R.F. Loeffler and is titled Step by Step Inlay Banding Production.

   Rob Millard

   http://www.americanfederalperiod.com

1. 
   mapleman | Oct 17, 2007 08:40pm | #13

   Rob,

   any idea where to get a copy of the  inlay banding book mentioned in your post?

   Thanks,

   Lee

1. 
   RMillard | Oct 20, 2007 04:58pm | #14

   Lee,

    

   Someone gave me the book, but not too long ago it was on Amazon and I bet Barnes and Noble would have it also.

   I'm not sure if it would help in your search, but the ISBN is 0-9632387-2-8

   and the Library of Congress number is 97-74306

   Rob Millard

   http://www.americanfederalperiod.com

    

1. 
   mapleman | Oct 21, 2007 05:01am | #15

   Thanks Rob,

   I have googled this book to death. Looks like it was originally printed in '97 and again in '01, every used and rare book place I looked was out of stock. I found 2 examples that sold within the last 3 weeks. Just my luck. I will keep searching - but if you happen across another copy please drop me a line.

   P.S. My local library doesn't do the book loan program either unfortunately.

   Cheers,

   Lee

6. 
   SparrowHawk | Feb 11, 2008 12:46am | #16

   Hi Jeremy,

   One of the best in the world is Larry Robinson - he has done the inlay for Martin Guitar Company's 750,000th guitar and their 1,000,000th. He has also done much work for Fender and Gibson Custom shops. He's got a book but the best is his 3 videos as seeing is much easier to comprehend.

   http://www.robinsoninlays.com/

   Ken