Butterfly Inlays - How to

Alex Reid

Member
Messages
739
Location
Zushi, Japan
On my recently completed project you may notice there are two butterfly inlays near the rear of the top. So I thought I would write up my method for doing them. I usually cut them on a bandsaw. But there are probably simpler ways like a router and jig, which I will probably get around to making someday.

First I clamp the butterfly onto the top and scribe around with a scribing knife. This picture is quite after the fact but you get the idea.
butterflyinlay7.jpg


Hog out with router to about 1/16 to the scribed line
butterflyinlay2.jpg


butterflyinlay3.jpg


With chisel on an angle lop off to the line. Don't go in straight down as this will go into the scribed line.
butterflyinlay4.jpg


Here you can see the angled chisel cut. Pare up to the scribed line with sharp chisel. Perhaps even just a hair under the scribed line.
butterflyinlay5.jpg


Put a taper on the edge of the butterfly.
butterflyinlay6.jpg


Send it home with a mallet.
butterflyinlay7.jpg


Then belt sand to flush
butterflyinlay8.jpg
 
Thanks for the article Alex. I might get commissioned to make a slab dinning table for my brother-in-law and it crossed my mind that I might have to learn how to do them butterfly things. How about birdseye maple in walnut slabs?
 
Top