Best Method for Inlaying?

Cuemaster98

Cuemaster98

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Hi Guys,

I've seem some of the most intricate inlaying on Guitars and I'm wondering why cue builder are not using the tools that guitar maker are using to sup up their cues. I would think the inlays and art work would look amazing on custom cue. I am starting to look into this but wonder what are the positive and negative of using their style for inlays. Instead of the traditional star, diamonds and dots inlaying..you can cut your own custom shape or image with a fairly cheap machine. http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Inlay,_pearl.html (Pearl Cutting Jig). These guys seem to use do a lot of engraving on the pearl as well that I don't see much in cue. I think they have tools that allow for hand etching or engraving work to the pearl as well that looks easy to use. Some of the sample that I've seen on guitar look awesome....nothing similar that I would see in a pool cue.

Can this machine be use for inlaying in cues? http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Inlay,_...pearl_cutting/Foredom_tools,_attachments.html It look like a different kind of Dremel tool but seem more compact...has anyone try to use these machine for pool?

I understand that most inlays on cues are deeper (for sanding) but is the depth necessary or just deep enough so that it doesn't affect sanding? Any value of inlays to performance of cue?

Regards,
Duc.
 
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Please direct me to samples of inlay work that you've seen.

That's quite a sizeable MOP inlay that's being cut in the link that you've provided. You have to remember that most inlays in guitars are done on FLAT surfaces unlike in cues. Hand-cutting inlays for and hand-inlaying on cues are more challenging than hand inlaying on guitars.
 
Google "Guitar Inlay" beware some links have spyware etc. (previous link removed due to spyware).

here's a link that i just quickly google...the samuri and colorful parrot looks pretty good. I'm not saying one is better or require more skill just wondering if any cue builders are employing similar tool. I know richard black has a samuri cue that look pretty much like these work...just wondering why cue builder don't do them as much.

I guess you are right with the guitar having flat surface to work with vs a cylinder shape for cue. I'm sure it a lot of work as well to do all the inlay and if you mess up...it can be an expensive mistake:). I also seen some shell inlaying work from Vietnam on cues that look similar to those that look on guitar and they look pretty good. I would image the inlaying is not very deep but having work like these on a cue would look pretty nice especially on a black ebony cue.

My guess is that most cue builders are not inlay artist as well so to do these kind of work requires some schooling. Just like some high end cue builder uses scrimshaw artist for there work. Once you have a functional playing cue...it would be a great canvas for artist to do some inlaying work I would think.

Regards,
Duc.
 
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Geez I hate links that try to download spyware/virus/crap files onto your PC.

Beware the link above.

On the topic.....I don't see anything in guitars that cannot, and has not been done by several cue makers: Hercek, Wayne, Black, Manzino, BB, Arthur Q, etc.

Scott
 
Sorry about the link..just realized it has a lot of spyware...link removed. If you looking for some example just google.."Guitar Inlays".
 
It's obvious that you have never seen or done any inlays. If you are doing an inlay that is 1" wide on a flat guitar surface you can make that inlay .020" deep & with a little sanding it would look just fine. To make that inlay on a ROUND butt sleeve(with a pantograph), you would have to cut the hole for the inlay at least .300" deep. With a computer generated program, the 1 " inlay can be done more easily, but I think it takes a 4 axis set up. I'm too old to get into that stuff, so I'm not sure...JER
 
Hi Duc, in a thread some where I mentioned about 3d work on cues.
I think that will be the future.You have a tube of material and profile mill what you want. Then you profile mill the cue, the cue rotates and you mill out what you want as a inlay. With the inlay, you mill away what you don't want. Then you can assemble it. So x,y z and rotation all at the same time. Only imagination and programing are the limitations.
Neil Lickfold
 
BLACKHEARTCUES said:
It's obvious that you have never seen or done any inlays. If you are doing an inlay that is 1" wide on a flat guitar surface you can make that inlay .020" deep & with a little sanding it would look just fine. To make that inlay on a ROUND butt sleeve(with a pantograph), you would have to cut the hole for the inlay at least .300" deep. With a computer generated program, the 1 " inlay can be done more easily, but I think it takes a 4 axis set up. I'm too old to get into that stuff, so I'm not sure...JER
Click to expand...

Yes, never done one inlay yet...trying to do some research and finding ways to best cut a pocket and inlay pre cut diamond from suppliers. I did a search on inlay tools and came across guitar with inlays and some of them look pretty cool. I was thinking of getting Chris standalone inlay machine to start learning but decide to see what other tools are available beside CNC and a dremel tool. For my purpose, I was looking for something simple that I can easily cut pocket into the cue and I glue the inlay piece to it...mostly want to start with Diamond inlay. I know I can use my router for dots and lines (never tried this yet). The guitars stuff look pretty interesting as well so I thought I asked.
 
Also that machine appears to be nothing more than a cheap scroll saw. It would be tough to inlay a cue with a scroll saw ;)
 
conetip said:
Hi Duc, in a thread some where I mentioned about 3d work on cues.
I think that will be the future.You have a tube of material and profile mill what you want. Then you profile mill the cue, the cue rotates and you mill out what you want as a inlay. With the inlay, you mill away what you don't want. Then you can assemble it. So x,y z and rotation all at the same time. Only imagination and programing are the limitations.
Neil Lickfold
Click to expand...
There are a number of good examples of such that cuemakers have been dong with their CNCs. Here're some hand-made ones.
 
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Cuemaster98 said:
Yes, never done one inlay yet...trying to do some research and finding ways to best cut a pocket and inlay pre cut diamond from suppliers. I did a search on inlay tools and came across guitar with inlays and some of them look pretty cool. I was thinking of getting Chris standalone inlay machine to start learning but decide to see what other tools are available beside CNC and a dremel tool. For my purpose, I was looking for something simple that I can easily cut pocket into the cue and I glue the inlay piece to it...mostly want to start with Diamond inlay. I know I can use my router for dots and lines (never tried this yet). The guitars stuff look pretty interesting as well so I thought I asked.
Click to expand...

That Foredom Mototool is basically an industrial grade Dremel used by jewelers.

You can't use your router to make the dot inlay pieces, use your lathe. For the lines use a mill or a scroll saw and disc/belt sander. Hand-inlaying gives so much more satisfaction once you get your technique and touch down pat.

Best inlaying method? Whatever you will be comfortable, and thus be good, at.
 
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TellsItLikeItIs said:
Just an FYI. A spyware is attached to the link you posted.
Click to expand...

A link to a thread here? Please tell me how that can be and how it can be fixed. Thank you for the heads-up.
 
Inlays: Guitars versus Pool Cues

I think your question has been answered but I will throw in my 2 cents anyway
having made guitars for about 15 years. Inlaying an intricate design on a guitar is very, very difficult whether it is on the relatively flat peg head or the fret board that has a 40 foot radius (Martin). On a cue with a radius of about 1.8 inches it is almost impossible to duplicate the intricate designs used on some guitars. Most guitar makers now use CNC for their inlays. The tools you mention from Stewart-McDonalds (which I have) are only useful on relatively flat surfaces.
 
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