• Thanks for visiting The Penturners Forum today.

    There are many features and resources that currently you are unable to see or access, either because you're not yet registered, or if you're already registered, because you're not logged in.

    To gain full access to the forum, please log in or register now. Registration is completely free, it only takes a few seconds, and you can join our well established community of like-minded pen makers.

Mineral Inlays on turned wood

broadsea

Full Member
Joined
Sep 17, 2014
Posts
195
Location
Fraserburgh
First Name
John
Just wondered if anyone had used crushed stone or mineral powder as an inlay on turned wood. If so was it successful, how did you do it and where did you buy the material. I have looked online but there are so many articles and so many ways of doing it I got confused, frustrated and cheesed off. So a little bit of simple help would be great.:sob:
 

Woody

Registered
Joined
Jul 12, 2013
Posts
12,811
Location
at home
First Name
no
I have done it in the past Turners retreat sell the crushed stone and all you do is cut a slot in your bowl say with a parting tool then you mix the crushed stone with epoxy resin and fill the cut out then when it is dry return it to the lathe and clean it up
But there are cheaper alternatives like coal, charcoal, kids powder paints, rice, in fact almost anything will do the only limits are your imagination go for it John the black in my second photo is coal dust and epoxy resin
1.JPG3.JPG
 

rayf6604

Registered
Joined
May 1, 2014
Posts
2,726
Location
Narrowboat dweller Willington, Derby
First Name
Ray
I have only used metal powders so far and I use super thin CA and build up layers of the powder with the CA until its proud of the surface of the wood, let it dry thoroughly then turn it down. I've had mishaps with it mostly from not letting dry but inlace powders and crystals would be the same method. You can also use resin with powders but not had much success.

Edit, Woody got his reply in while I was typing mine
 

Penpal

Grand Master
Joined
May 26, 2013
Posts
25,342
Location
Canberra AUSTRALIA
First Name
Peter
I have a mate who uses Copper etc glue and sprinkle mate piece of cake. I do like Woodies reply should set you up.

Peter.:thumbs:
 

turnaround360

Caracktycus Pots
Fellow
Joined
Mar 6, 2013
Posts
2,426
Location
Essex
First Name
Frank
I sent some of the lads some crushed .....pink stuff they may say
lol they know who they are but its up to them if they are brave enough to say :face:
 

paulm

grave manibus faciendum
Registered
Joined
Oct 7, 2013
Posts
12,045
Location
Sandford
First Name
Paul
I've used all sorts of metails and fillers and some local stone that I crushed with a hammer on a brick and some quartz in the same way. I cut a grove using the parting tool like Woody and then used super thin ca and built up layers of it until it was full. The only thing I won't be doing again is coloured sand as that was a right bitch and I had to used the grinder on it. Here is one of the first ones I did that I crushed the stone myself,
 

Attachments

  • inlay.jpg
    inlay.jpg
    40.7 KB · Views: 77

Twister

Registered
Joined
Jun 18, 2014
Posts
2,202
Location
kent
First Name
Steve
I sent some of the lads some crushed .....pink stuff they may say
lol they know who they are but its up to them if they are brave enough to say :face:

I had some
could i crush it any finer...could I f$£%

I keep meaning to ask for help:goesred:

Steve
 

broadsea

Full Member
Joined
Sep 17, 2014
Posts
195
Location
Fraserburgh
First Name
John
I have just turned some walnut. I kept the shavings and dust. I wondered if there was any reason why I could not or should not use this as an inlay on lighter wood
 

chas_41_uk

Registered
Joined
Mar 13, 2014
Posts
10,034
Location
Manchester
First Name
Chas
I have just turned some walnut. I kept the shavings and dust. I wondered if there was any reason why I could not or should not use this as an inlay on lighter wood

I have old marmalade jars with shavings and dust from different woods that I use for filling cracks etc. So why not use them for inlay if you want to? :thumbs:
 

paulm

grave manibus faciendum
Registered
Joined
Oct 7, 2013
Posts
12,045
Location
Sandford
First Name
Paul
There is only one way to find out how it will turn out John. Just make sure the sides of the the cut you make for the inlay are very sharp so that there is no bleeding.
 


Write your reply...
Warning! This thread has not had any replies for over a year. You are welcome to post a reply here, but it might be better to start a new thread (and maybe include a link to this one if you need to).
Top