Cutting an Inlay into small rings

[lentze]

I make a lot of wood rings with inlay and right now I use a dremel to cut out the inlay groove. It isn't a perfect way to do it and can be difficult.

I am wondering if there is a way to easily cut inlay with the Festool router and router table? I was thinking maybe a slot cutter bit, but the problem is my fingers would get too close for comfort. Anyone have any good solutions?
Thanks,
Evan

 

[dltflt]

I would use a lathe.  Much safer.

 

[nclemmons]

Can you post a photo or two of what you are trying to do?

neil

 

[lentze]

Here is what I am creating:

 

[nclemmons]

I don't think a router and table would be the way to go.

Definitely the lathe seems like a better alternative, either with a dremel held through a jig to accurately advance the tool into the turning ring on a mandrel you might fashion, or with 1/16" parting tool ground flat and carefully advanced into the turning ring.

I'm curious if the cross-grain nature of the ring might easily crack when it's on the finger?

neil

 

[lentze]

Hey Neil, that's an interesting idea - a jig for the dremel. Any idea on where I might begin to find some ideas on that?
Thanks!

 

[nclemmons]

I would look at a couple of hose clamps to clamp the dremel to a board fashioned to secure the dremel to the bed or post of sorts and then attach to the cross slide of a lathe.

See this video to start...



I would try to orient 90 degrees to the lathe rather than in the same axis and use a small 1/16 or 3/32 burr or router bit.

I used to have a lathe post tool holder for the early Dremel tools but no longer have the tool or holder.

Neil

 

[peter halle]

I think I know of a safe way to do it with a router.  What is the inside diameter of your rings?

Peter

 

[lentze]

The inside diameter varies since I do all sizes 4.5 to 11. I would say the average is 17mm inner diameter.

 

[lentze]

I would look at a couple of hose clamps to clamp the dremel to a board fashioned to secure the dremel to the bed or post of sorts and then attach to the cross slide of a lathe.

See this video to start...



I would try to orient 90 degrees to the lathe rather than in the same axis and use a small 1/16 or 3/32 burr or router bit.

I used to have a lathe post tool holder for the early Dremel tools but no longer have the tool or holder.

Neil

Thanks Neil, I am going to look into this!

 

[Michael Kellough]

A lathe is best but if you could use a drill press in a similar way. An inexpensive cross slide table could be used to hold the Dremel.

 

[lentze]

Just an update, looks like I found a solution.
I am going to still use the Dremel, but put it in the 'Workstation' that makes it more of a drill press device.

Then I can hold the ring from the inside with this thing:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0058EDISY/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

The ring clamp will fit into an adjustable vise that can be bolted to the Dremel and positioned right under the saw cutter.
Now I just need to see how it will all work together!

Thanks for the ideas everyone!

 

[rustym]

Lentze,
Seems like we are making this a lot more difficult then it really is.  If you have a small lathe all you need to do is make a little expanding mandrel to hold the ring and cut the grove with a narrow parting tool.  Than you can glue in your infill and put the ring back on the mandrel to cut it down.  Maybe I'm missing something but this sounds like the easiest way to do this.

Rusty

 

[lentze]

Lentze,
Seems like we are making this a lot more difficult then it really is.  If you have a small lathe all you need to do is make a little expanding mandrel to hold the ring and cut the grove with a narrow parting tool.  Than you can glue in your infill and put the ring back on the mandrel to cut it down.  Maybe I'm missing something but this sounds like the easiest way to do this.

Rusty

Hey Rusty,
Can you recommend a good small lathe? I would probably only need it for rings, so the less space it takes up the better!
Also - any advice on where I might look to build my own expanding mandrel?
Thanks!

 

[nclemmons]

As to the small lathe question, I have a Sherline which is awesome for small scale wood and metal turning.  Made in the USA and a excellent hobby lathe.  I use to turn pens, brass, aluminum, even steel on occasion.  Very accurate, variable speed and yet small enough to put on a shelf.

Options to add a milling head to it as well as CNC options

www.sherline.com

Google 'expanding mandrel' and 'Sherline' and you'll find several articles on attachments you can buy or make.  Here's one example - http://www.sherline.com/tip19.htm

neil

 

[peter halle]

The lathe is probably the way to go, but just kicking around here are a couple of ideas:

for holding your rings of any size:  http://www.amazon.com/SE-196A0-Metal-Sizing-Finger/dp/B000VAZB6M/ref=pd_sim_op_3  You would have to come up with a way to secure the ring on the thinner side.

For turning on a router table:  Tompkins Turner

Now if you could marry the two products together ....  You could also turn your groove if you added stop blocks on a router fence to prevent side to side movement.

I turned many simple pens with my Tompkins turner.

Peter

 

[Alan m]

What material are you inlaying. Could you laminate 3 pieces together then turn it.

 

[lentze]

The lathe is probably the way to go, but just kicking around here are a couple of ideas:

for holding your rings of any size:  http://www.amazon.com/SE-196A0-Metal-Sizing-Finger/dp/B000VAZB6M/ref=pd_sim_op_3  You would have to come up with a way to secure the ring on the thinner side.

For turning on a router table:  Tompkins Turner

Now if you could marry the two products together ....  You could also turn your groove if you added stop blocks on a router fence to prevent side to side movement.

I turned many simple pens with my Tompkins turner.

Peter

That Tompkins turner is a very interesting idea. Maybe with a pre-made expanding mandrel I can make the two fit.

 

[peter halle]

Actually I had that in mind when I asked you questions at the beginning of the thread.  Been piss poor at being active here this week.  Sorry.

Peter

 

[lentze]

Haha, better late than never!