Router Inlay Basics
Links, Notes, and Recommendations:
(Click on image for more information)
Bosch Plunge Router
This is approximately the Bosch router that I used in the video. The main difference is that I have a 'D' handle for the fixed base. Bosch used to offer (and may still) a kit with three bases: fixed, plunge, and router table. This is ideal for those starting out and cannot afford several routers. With this kit, you simply swap the motor to the base you need. I used to keep my fixed base installed in my router table, and swap the motor between the router table and the plunge base. I did this until I upgraded my router table.
Router Inlay Kit
This is the Whiteside router inlay kit. The most important part of a router inlay kit is to make sure the removable spacer ring fits snugly. A loose spacer ring will cause the positive to fit loosely in the negative. Some router inlay kits come with a centering pin. I have never used one. As long as the router is kept facing the same direction, and not rotated during routing, precise centering should not be necessary.
Double-sided Indoor Carpet Tape
This is the kind of double stick tape that I use for router inlay. The "indoor" or light duty is more than adequate and is less prone to pulling out the wood fibers when removed.
Rockler Inlay System
I am not a big fan of store bought templates, preferring instead to make my own. If you want to buy some templates so that you can get right down to the business of router inlay, consider getting some ovals. One of the reasons I do not like store bought templates is that they deal with sharp corners by rounding them off. I find that the rounded corners do not look as nice and prefer to deal with the sharp corners with a little hand work. (I plan to cover this in the next router inlay video.
