Joss Inlay Fabrication

[Biloxi Boy]

I would like to know how this inlay was fabricated and applied.



Thanks

 

[cueman]

If I were doing it there are 6 individual inlays and none actually over lap.

 

[DeeDeeCues]

If I were doing it there are 6 individual inlays and none actually over lap.

True. Looks like they were cut from the same billet so the grain matches.

 

[Biloxi Boy]

Thanks for looking at this and posting.

I have no real base of knowledge or vocabulary. I have worked with wood all of my life, but my area of exposure ends at framing. I have been trying to figure out "how was the inlay made" and "how was this applied to cue" since I bought this cue over fifteen years ago. My comments should be given little weight. The more I look and analyze, the less I know.

When I trace a perimeter of a triangle, the treatment at each intersection alternates between two: solid (run) or cut (butt). This is what causes me to think "interlaced".

 

[aphelps1]

Each triangle is made up of 3 inlay parts. Also each triangle was cut from one slab of wood so the grain structure runs continuous throughout each triangle. The six inlays fit together in such a way that they give the illusion of the wood weaving over and under its self. Hope this helps.

Alan
Phelps Custom Cues

 

[Biloxi Boy]

Each triangle is made up of 3 inlay parts. Also each triangle was cut from one slab of wood so the grain structure runs continuous throughout each triangle. The six inlays fit together in such a way that they give the illusion of the wood weaving over and under its self. Hope this helps.

Alan
Phelps Custom Cues

This makes sense. Thanks, How is it incorporated into the butt?

 

[billsey]

I'd assume a CNC cut into the butt with the thin bits between the pieces left in place.

 

[DeeDeeCues]

This makes sense. Thanks, How is it incorporated into the butt?

The maple bits are cut from a piece of maple. The black butt gets pockets milled into it. The maple bits are the same size and shape as the pockets in the black butt. Some dude then puts glue into the pockets in the black butt and taps the maple pieces into the pockets. The glue dries and the maple pieces are turned or sanded flush with the black butt.

So, the inlays are not 'applied', they are inserted into the butt. If you still have questions, look it up on youtube. There must be a thousand videos.

 

[Biloxi Boy]

I am familiar with this process you desctibe, but I could not imagine the precision required to do it by hand, plus I thought it was impossible to mill (CNC) sharp points.

 

[kling&allen]

I am familiar with this process you desctibe, but I could not imagine the precision required to do it by hand, plus I thought it was impossible to mill (CNC) sharp points.

Bob (and others) have some amazing videos you should check out:

(as you already know), it takes an incredible amount skill to pull off a nice cue. If you're on facebook, Black Boar has amazing photos of some of his detailed inlays.

 

[DeeDeeCues]

I am familiar with this process you desctibe, but I could not imagine the precision required to do it by hand, plus I thought it was impossible to mill (CNC) sharp points.

Gotcha. Yes, there are some special things going on with the sharp ends. Maybe even hand cutting at the very end.

 

[Biloxi Boy]

Thanks. I have been amazed by CNC since I first learned of it, but the rounded points on schons, and then others, just brought me oh so down. A hybrid method combining CNC and hand cuts seems to be the most logical explanation at present.

 

[billsey]

Using a sharply tapered bit, you can get sharp points by gradually raising the bit as it approaches the end of the cut. You do the same when you reverse all that to create the inlay so one side has a V grove tapered into the butt and the other has a V rising above the background. When the two are fitted together and cut to depth, the two pieces leave a sharp point.

 

[Biloxi Boy]

So why haven't the production companies adopted this? Once programmed, its all automatic, right?

 

[measureman]

So why haven't the production companies adopted this? Once programmed, its all automatic, right?

You can get sharp points on $150 Chinese cues but $600 and up Schons and others you get rounded points.
I do not like rounded points,they look cheap.

 

[bbb]

Call dan james to get the correct answer
then tell us what he said

 

[cueman]

I am familiar with this process you desctibe, but I could not imagine the precision required to do it by hand, plus I thought it was impossible to mill (CNC) sharp points.

You will noticed only the parts the were cut with the inside of the bit are sharp. All outsides are round. Typical method.

 

[DeeDeeCues]

You will noticed only the parts the were cut with the inside of the bit are sharp. All outsides are round. Typical method.

Look again.

 

[DeeDeeCues]

You will noticed only the parts the were cut with the inside of the bit are sharp. All outsides are round. Typical method.

As for how the maple inlay was cut, yes. The black was either filled with glue, or another method was used for the long sharp corners.

 

[cueman]

As for how the maple inlay was cut, yes. The black was either filled with glue, or another method was used for the long sharp corners.

As for how the maple inlay was cut, yes. The black was either filled with glue, or another method was used for the long sharp corners.

The black was just left standing upright in between the maple inlays. A cutter can pass something like that and leave it sharp. It looks to me like that whole design could be done with a .020" bit and there be little to none hand touch up to do. Yes black glue does wonders when dealing with ebony.