Official Luthiers Forum!

I understand the principle of scribing the outline of the “inlay” onto the work piece and I even understand the use of chalk to accentuate the line in the dark background. What does everyone use to accentuate the line on maple? I have used pencil graphite and it seems to work satisfactorily but is anyone using something better?

Thanks for your time,
Jeremy

It turns clear when CA hits it, and is relatively clean in the maple. Of course it all depends upon the wood. I scribe with a #11 exacto blade.

Craig Lavin

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www.handcraftinlay.com

Mr. Lavin,

Thanks for the suggestion it works perfectly.

Thanks for your time,
Jeremy

Craig, do you use a stick of chalk or the powdered kind that's made for chalk lines?

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Dave Rector
Rector Guitars

Dust gets much more rubbed into every pore, stick cathes mainly in the scribed lines. Much better control. I've done both. Now just stick.

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www.handcraftinlay.com

Good thing I asked. I have a bottle of the powdered stuff in the shop. I can just see me dumping it on a headstock and winding up with a new "blue sparkle" finish or something.

Thanks for the info Craig!

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Dave Rector
Rector Guitars