Anyone doing epoxy inlays successfully?

This section is for useful tips and tricks for Aspire
ger21
Vectric Wizard
Posts: 1592
Joined: Sun Sep 16, 2007 2:59 pm
Model of CNC Machine: Custom DIY
Location: Lake St Clair, MI, USA
Contact:

Re: Anyone doing epoxy inlays successfully?

Post by ger21 »

Depends on what they are adding. There are different fillers for different purposes. I don't think making it thicker would be desirable.
Gerry - http://www.thecncwoodworker.com

sseale
Vectric Apprentice
Posts: 65
Joined: Fri Dec 11, 2015 2:42 pm
Model of CNC Machine: Probotix Nebula
Location: Barbados

Re: Anyone doing epoxy inlays successfully?

Post by sseale »

Thickener may be useful where the inlay is on a sloped/curved surface to try and control for any liquid runs outside of the machined areas.

Mobius
Vectric Wizard
Posts: 413
Joined: Wed Jul 09, 2014 1:19 am
Model of CNC Machine: CRP Pro 4848 Custom Build
Location: Drumheller, Alberta, Canada
Contact:

Re: Anyone doing epoxy inlays successfully?

Post by Mobius »

Many powders available are 'metallic', and suspend in the epoxy creating interesting patterns and effects. All the rage right now, just one more thing I should have kept up with when I did it years ago.

Image
Connor Bredin
Distinctive Dimensional Concepts Ltd.
www.distinctive-concepts.ca

JayGee
Posts: 17
Joined: Sat Nov 10, 2018 5:00 pm
Model of CNC Machine: Shapeoko 3

Re: Anyone doing epoxy inlays successfully?

Post by JayGee »

IF you're going to try the 5 minute epoxy you probably should count on it starting to set in 3 minutes.
AND, unless you're buying the 5 minute epoxy already colored you're probably going to be out of luck.
IF you find a two-part 5 minute epoxy you're still going to lose a couple of minutes making sure that it has
been mixed thoroughly. BEWARE!

Marko74
Posts: 27
Joined: Wed Jul 10, 2019 6:59 pm
Model of CNC Machine: Laguna IQ

Re: Anyone doing epoxy inlays successfully?

Post by Marko74 »

I have been working a lot with epoxy and wood. Lately I have been "stabilizing" wood to both add color and to firm up punky wood that I might later turn on my lathe. My guess is that if you stabilize wood first, the epoxy will not run. Of course stabilizing means using a vacuum pot along with cactus juice resin...just a thought.

User avatar
mfirlott
Vectric Craftsman
Posts: 299
Joined: Thu Feb 07, 2013 12:49 am
Model of CNC Machine: Stinger 1 (2014)
Location: Cantley, Quebec, Canada
Contact:

Re: Anyone doing epoxy inlays successfully?

Post by mfirlott »

For myself and the issues mentioned...I found a simple yet practical solution. May not be for everyone though.

I first use my hot glue gun to put a ridge around my inlay. Just a simple bead of hot glue that dries quickly and will form a dam for the epoxy overflow. Keeps everything contained.

I then paint the inlay with big box wood sealer like that used on outdoor decks.

And instead of colouring my epoxy, I simply paint the inlay the colour I want it to be. In the attached picture, that was red and blue.

I then use West System 105 clear epoxy and 207 hardener and pour into the inlay.

Once the clear epoxy is hardened, the colour shines through and appears to be solid colour.

I then use my spoilboard leveling bit to a depth of about 0.001" to clear away the overflow and dried glue. Then sand and butcher block oil it.

Anyways...works well for me for my simple designs.
Attachments
Cutting Board
Cutting Board
(Mitch)
CAMaster Stinger I
Vectric Aspire
Epilog 45watt Helix Laser

User avatar
mtylerfl
Vectric Archimage
Posts: 5865
Joined: Thu Jan 29, 2009 3:54 am
Model of CNC Machine: -CarveWright CNC -ShopBot Buddy PRSAlpha
Location: Brunswick, GA

Re: Anyone doing epoxy inlays successfully?

Post by mtylerfl »

There’s some good tips, Mitch! I’ve never thought of using a hot-glue dam around the Inlay area - that’s at least one tip I’ll have to try for sure. Thank you!
Michael Tyler

facebook.com/carvebuddy

-CarveWright CNC
-ShopBot Buddy PRSAlpha CNC

User avatar
jfederer
Vectric Wizard
Posts: 364
Joined: Tue Nov 27, 2018 1:09 am
Model of CNC Machine: CanCam D23M
Location: Horton Township Ontario Canada
Contact:

Re: Anyone doing epoxy inlays successfully?

Post by jfederer »

mfirlott wrote:... I simply paint the inlay the colour I want it to be.
I'll have to try that. I got quite a bit of bleeding on maple with black-filled EcoPoxy. Then on the most recent project I applied a light coat of clear EcoPoxy to the perimeter of the cut first, then poured in the coloured stuff. That worked better. But your solution should entirely solve the problem for me. Thanks!
Joe Federer

www.fabrikisto.com incl. Tailmaker software
www.federer.ca

User avatar
gkas
Vectric Wizard
Posts: 1450
Joined: Sun Jan 01, 2017 3:39 am
Model of CNC Machine: Aspire, Axiom AR8 Pro+, Axiom 4.2W Laser
Location: Southern California

Re: Anyone doing epoxy inlays successfully?

Post by gkas »

I wonder if you could put the hot glue down first, then cut the inlays through it, after a normal zero at the surface of the piece? Also, you can remove hot glue with an application of denatured alcohol. It softens and releases the glue. I'll definitely have to try this epoxy trick, since all of my previous epoxy inlays have been mostly failures... :oops:

User avatar
scottp55
Vectric Wizard
Posts: 4713
Joined: Thu May 09, 2013 11:30 am
Model of CNC Machine: ShopbotDesktop 5.5"Z/spindle/VCP11.5
Location: Kennebunkport, Maine, US

Re: Anyone doing epoxy inlays successfully?

Post by scottp55 »

Mitch,
What kind of paint did you use after the Sealer(Zinsser Universal sanding sealer?) ?

Joe, is that clear coat first the method you used on that beautiful "Raven Desk" ?
(WONDERFUL PIECE!! :)

scott
I've learned my lesson well. You can't please everyone,so you have to please yourself
R.N.

User avatar
jfederer
Vectric Wizard
Posts: 364
Joined: Tue Nov 27, 2018 1:09 am
Model of CNC Machine: CanCam D23M
Location: Horton Township Ontario Canada
Contact:

Re: Anyone doing epoxy inlays successfully?

Post by jfederer »

Hi Scott,

Thanks for the feedback! No, that was the one where I got some bleeding. I used the clear pre-coat on a jewellery box. It came out almost totally clean.
JB1-2.jpg
Attachments
JB1-04.jpg
Joe Federer

www.fabrikisto.com incl. Tailmaker software
www.federer.ca

User avatar
mfirlott
Vectric Craftsman
Posts: 299
Joined: Thu Feb 07, 2013 12:49 am
Model of CNC Machine: Stinger 1 (2014)
Location: Cantley, Quebec, Canada
Contact:

Re: Anyone doing epoxy inlays successfully?

Post by mfirlott »

As I do not sell my pieces (personal or family gifts only) I do not splurge on Sealer or Paint. I buy HomeDepot wood deck sealer and for the paints, I just use kids acrylic paint that I pick up at Walmarts.

And I'm only cutting 1/8" deep. Maybe if is a deeper inlay, this clear epoxy over a painted inlay may not be what you're looking for.
(Mitch)
CAMaster Stinger I
Vectric Aspire
Epilog 45watt Helix Laser

User avatar
scottp55
Vectric Wizard
Posts: 4713
Joined: Thu May 09, 2013 11:30 am
Model of CNC Machine: ShopbotDesktop 5.5"Z/spindle/VCP11.5
Location: Kennebunkport, Maine, US

Re: Anyone doing epoxy inlays successfully?

Post by scottp55 »

Thank you Mitch!!

Joe,
Must not have looked at the Raven close enough:)
That Elephant came out great!!
(Are those Fingermaker joints on the drawer...and then just left unglued? NEAT if so!!:)
scott
I've learned my lesson well. You can't please everyone,so you have to please yourself
R.N.

User avatar
jfederer
Vectric Wizard
Posts: 364
Joined: Tue Nov 27, 2018 1:09 am
Model of CNC Machine: CanCam D23M
Location: Horton Township Ontario Canada
Contact:

Re: Anyone doing epoxy inlays successfully?

Post by jfederer »

Scott,

I made 2 Raven desks. The inlay on the first, which is probably the one to which you are referring, turned out fairly clean. The second shows the bleeding, but it's on a pull-out tray so less objectionable.

Yes, they are Fingermaker's joints. The lady who commissioned the piece liked the exposed joinery. The other corners have the same joints, glued as usual. For the loose ones I had to do some manual sanding to provide enough relief. I warned her that they may bind in humid summer weather. I'm almost finished a second copy of the jewellery box, I haven't decided on an inlay yet. Maybe a smaller raven?
Joe Federer

www.fabrikisto.com incl. Tailmaker software
www.federer.ca

User avatar
scottp55
Vectric Wizard
Posts: 4713
Joined: Thu May 09, 2013 11:30 am
Model of CNC Machine: ShopbotDesktop 5.5"Z/spindle/VCP11.5
Location: Kennebunkport, Maine, US

Re: Anyone doing epoxy inlays successfully?

Post by scottp55 »

Thanks Joe......May have to "borrow" that someday:)
I've learned my lesson well. You can't please everyone,so you have to please yourself
R.N.

Post Reply