Inlay Question

Webbs Billiards

Webbs Billiards

Billiards Dealer
Silver Member
What kind of epoxy can be used to make an inlay look deep?

More that the inlay is deep and the epoxy is clear enough that it doesn't cloud or distort the view.

Thanks in advance.
 
Hi,

You want your pocket and inlay to fit tight so that the glue line is not apparent. Most CMs go to great lengths to make tight fits.

Rick
 
Casting resin is a good choice, but hard to master. But if you are sinking the inlay deep because it does not have enough thickness to round off the top. Then the easier to master method is to glue the inlay material to the bottom of plexiglass and cut right through the plexi glass and lay it in as a thick inlay with the colored piece in the bottom of the pocket underneath the plexiglass. That way you take almost zero chances of getting bubbles.
 
cueman said:
Casting resin is a good choice, but hard to master. But if you are sinking the inlay deep because it does not have enough thickness to round off the top. Then the easier to master method is to glue the inlay material to the bottom of plexiglass and cut right through the plexi glass and lay it in as a thick inlay with the colored piece in the bottom of the pocket underneath the plexiglass. That way you take almost zero chances of getting bubbles.
Click to expand...

Good advice Chris.

Jim.
 
cueman said:
Casting resin is a good choice, but hard to master. But if you are sinking the inlay deep because it does not have enough thickness to round off the top. Then the easier to master method is to glue the inlay material to the bottom of plexiglass and cut right through the plexi glass and lay it in as a thick inlay with the colored piece in the bottom of the pocket underneath the plexiglass. That way you take almost zero chances of getting bubbles.
Click to expand...

Does plexiglass hold a finish?
 
I understand that inlays work best if they are tight fitting and flush, I'm just thinking outside the box on this one.

I want depth, like looking at the fire within a smoldering log.

Imagine an ebony cue with cherry red inlays. But then imagine those inlays are inset and have a little sparkle to them. I want it to look like its burning from within, not flush with the surface.
 
West systems makes some good epoxies that will dry very clear. You can work them with some heat to get the bubbles out too. The issue I see is that epoxy always seems to show it's edges through the finish. It reacts to the heat of buffing differently than the finish and other materials. It also shrinks, so you'd have to let it set completely before finishing or it will sink later.

I like Chris' idea about polycarbonate, and I do think finish would stick to it pretty well. The secret would be getting it to cut and sand clean enough that the clear makes whatever cut lines or scratches go away.

Royce
 
Webbs Billiards said:
I understand that inlays work best if they are tight fitting and flush, I'm just thinking outside the box on this one.

I want depth, like looking at the fire within a smoldering log.

Imagine an ebony cue with cherry red inlays. But then imagine those inlays are inset and have a little sparkle to them. I want it to look like its burning from within, not flush with the surface.
Click to expand...

Then a thin layer of plexi glass over it is the way to go.
 
RBC said:
West systems makes some good epoxies that will dry very clear. You can work them with some heat to get the bubbles out too. The issue I see is that epoxy always seems to show it's edges through the finish. It reacts to the heat of buffing differently than the finish and other materials. It also shrinks, so you'd have to let it set completely before finishing or it will sink later.

I like Chris' idea about polycarbonate, and I do think finish would stick to it pretty well. The secret would be getting it to cut and sand clean enough that the clear makes whatever cut lines or scratches go away.

Royce
Click to expand...

My brother use to put a logo under a plexiglass or maybe lexan plug. We would sand it to 2000 and then use a buffing compound in a stick. It is brown and then blue. After that plastic polishing liquid in a bottle. Came out great except if the adhesive got a bubble then it could be seen. I will post a pic tonight if I have time.

Edit: Here are some pics. As you can see I would definitely not assemble the inlay and plexi in the cue. Chris is spot on with putting them together first. Also I would use a good UV stable epoxy.

jyvy9e3a.jpg
sujydymy.jpg
ujasanyz.jpg


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Last edited:
cueman said:
Casting resin is a good choice, but hard to master. But if you are sinking the inlay deep because it does not have enough thickness to round off the top. Then the easier to master method is to glue the inlay material to the bottom of plexiglass and cut right through the plexi glass and lay it in as a thick inlay with the colored piece in the bottom of the pocket underneath the plexiglass. That way you take almost zero chances of getting bubbles.
Click to expand...

This is a really great suggestion. I'll try it out and post the results which I am sure will be perfect.
 
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