Creating an inlay for handmade rings or other wood turning projects can seem intimidating at first. After all, something that looks so great must be difficult to do, right? We have good news: It’s easier than you think. With the right tools and materials, you can be a master of the craft in no time. To get started, here are some of the best inlaying supplies for every skill level.
Inlay options for pen blanks, rings and more
Inlay Strips. Ready-made strips are an inexpensive way to get the appearance of an inlaid ring without the mess and are especially great for beginners. Just peel off the backing, crack to the shape of your ring core and press down into the ring channel. Then add either CA glue or UV resin and you have the look of an authentic Paua Abalone shell ring. Easy Inlay strips are also available in larger sheets that you can cut to a custom size. Tip: The sticky backing helps you temporarily position the strips. For a permanent bond, apply a thin CA glue that will seep underneath the Abolone and secure it.
Crushed Opal. This shimmery material is made from Opal gemstones that have been broken down into tiny fragments. Each fragment maintains the shifting rainbow hues and iridescent beauty that the natural stone is famous for. Opal inlay adds artistic detail to handmade jewelry, custom pens, and wooden housewares. A little goes a long way, it’s affordable and it comes in almost every colour you can think of. Opt for 2mm or 3mm pieces depending on the size of your void, or use a mixture of both to create a more compact look. This can also be achieved by crushing the pieces yourself! Tip: Polish the finished surface with a buffing wheel for an especially glossy, professional look.
Gemstones: Hard varieties of gemstones and crystals can make beautiful inlay. Small pieces of quartz, turquoise and more can create accents in wooden jewelry, custom made pens and even bowls that you turn on your lathe. Some gems, such as birthstones, have significance, so with a little research you can make a personalized handmade gift that is extra special. Tip: Crush some pieces to dust with a hammer and use it to fill any gaps for a more consistent inlay.
Mica Powder: Mica comes from a natural mineral called muscovite, a substance similar to quartz. In woodturning, mica is carefully placed into engraved patterns and solidified with resin or CA glue. Once cured either with time or accelerator, sand the surface of your custom bowl or pen to reveal the design. Mica is available in glitter, glow in the dark and even holographic colour-shifting hues. It is also used to create some of our most popular, artisan-created cast resin pen blanks. Tip: Blend colours for a personalized shade.
Gold Foil: Gold foil is extremely versatile and can be used for filling voids in burl pen blanks or inlaid into a chosen design. It’s genuine gold and is only .01 to .02 mm thick, which means it must be handled with care. It’s best to utilize inlay tools or a set of tweezers with this material, since it can react to static electricity and moisture. Gold foil sheets are too light to meet the minimum weight requirement to be graded with a carat value, which is why it’s affordable. Gold foil compliments the shade of almost every kind of wood. Tip: The foil can be crumpled, folded or hammered to give texture and depth to your wood working.
Inlaying 101
Now that you know the wide array of materials you can use for inlay, review our step by step guide to get started. Whether making a custom ring, a one-of-a-kind pen, or even turned salt and pepper shakers with some flare, you can find all the tools you need at William Wood Write.
