Inlays

[Snapshot9]

Are all inlays have the same thickness, or are some thicker than others?

What about inlays done into wooden rings? For example, maybe ivory diamonds in a wooden ring?

And I have a hard time trying to imagine how butterfly inlays are done.

 

[RSB-Refugee]

Are all inlays have the same thickness, or are some thicker than others?

What about inlays done into wooden rings? For example, maybe ivory diamonds in a wooden ring?

And I have a hard time trying to imagine how butterfly inlays are done.

How deep inlays are, varies from one maker to the next. Actually most inlays are not one consistent thickness, due to the bottom being flat and the top curved.

Butterflies are actually overlays. Imagine, cutting a board into a wedge, then glueing slabs on either side to thicken it back up. Turn the blank 90 degrees and repeat. You will then have four butterflies.

Tracy

 

[dzcues]

Are all inlays have the same thickness, or are some thicker than others?

If the cue is set up with the centerline of the cue parallel to the cutting plane, the thickness of the inlay will vary because of the taper of the cue. It might not be a big deal on a small inlay but on a point, for example, that is 8" long, the thickness will be 1/16" thinner at the base of the point vs. the tip of the point. If, however, the cue is set up with the top surface of the cue parallel to the cutting plane, the thickness will be consistent.

Of course, there will be a variation due to the curvature of the outside of the inlay when compared to the flat bottom. That will vary depending on the width of the inlay & the location of the cue into which it is inlaid (the radius varies over the length of the cue.)

And I have a hard time trying to imagine how butterfly inlays are done.

The bottom of this page (Yosuke's cue) shows how butterfly points are done. It also shows how standard V-cut points are mated with butterfly points. Hope this helps.
http://www.dzcues.com/in_progress.htm

 

[cueman]

If the cue is set up with the centerline of the cue parallel to the cutting plane, the thickness of the inlay will vary because of the taper of the cue. It might not be a big deal on a small inlay but on a point, for example, that is 8" long, the thickness will be 1/16" thinner at the base of the point vs. the tip of the point. If, however, the cue is set up with the top surface of the cue parallel to the cutting plane, the thickness will be consistent.

Of course, there will be a variation due to the curvature of the outside of the inlay when compared to the flat bottom. That will vary depending on the width of the inlay & the location of the cue into which it is inlaid (the radius varies over the length of the cue.)


The bottom of this page (Yosuke's cue) shows how butterfly points are done. It also shows how standard V-cut points are mated with butterfly points. Hope this helps.
http://www.dzcues.com/in_progress.htm

That is a very nice butterfly and v-point cue you built there.

 

[skins]

for flat bottom pocketing the width of an inlay will be determined by the cutter diameter and diameter of the stock. a bigger cutter has a greater depth of cut and can produce a wider inlay on a spherical canvas. of course the wider you go the more risk of "washout" you have when turning the cue cue depending on the diameter your milling in to. typical inlay widths for using a 1/32 end mill and a sleeve diameter of let's say 1.3 is about .700 at .140 depth or so depending on when you inlay. as you get closer to the joint it can become much smaller. all this changes though if you are using 4th axis milling, then it doesn't matter. you can cut pockets and inlays "around" the diameter with angled edges and the depth of cut becomes almost insignificant.

 

[Snapshot9]

Thank you

all for your explanations and illustrations (especially Bob), that was extremely interesting to me. I worked in the Aircraft Industry for over
20 years, so I have some knowledge of machining.

I can sure see where cuemaking provides some real interesting challenges for you, and a lot of pride in your work when a cue turns out real good.