Make Inlays the Easy Way – Perfect Fit Every Time

Make Inlays the Easy Way – Perfect Fit Every Time

Get my 6 Piece Screwdriver Set: https://ibuildit.ca/blog/6-piece-screwdriver-set/
I needed to inlay some decorative bowties and came up with a way to use a standard guide bushing set to do it.
I used a 1/4″ straight cutting bit with two difference size guide bushings – a 5/16″ outer diameter one and a 51/64″ outer diameter.
You’ll use the 5/16″ bushing to cut the inlay, carefully cutting around the perimeter using the template.
Then you use the same bit and template to cut the recess that the inlay fits into, but switch the guide bushing for the 51/64″ size.
It’s as easy as that.
Most imperial guide bushing sets have a 51/64″ bushing. I had to cut mine shorter to work with the 1/4″ thick template, but that’s the only modification I did.
The beauty of this method is that it uses one template to do both operations, guaranteeing a precise match and fit. Using one template also makes it quicker to do, and reduces the chances of mistakes.

There may be other bit and bushing combinations that work, and if you know one let me know in the comments.

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32 Comments

  1. Ben Coleman on October 24, 2022 at 1:55 am

    I would be all over those screwdrivers if they had a Robertson option



  2. Sivert Berge on October 24, 2022 at 1:55 am

    The music is absolutely terrible, please reconsider



  3. MC's Creations on October 24, 2022 at 1:59 am

    Brilliant, John! Thanks for the tips! 😃
    Stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊



  4. Edixon Martinez on October 24, 2022 at 1:59 am

    You make Easy everything 🎉👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼



  5. Michael Osmon on October 24, 2022 at 1:59 am

    Rockler sold me an inlay set with a bushing with a bushing so you could just add that second outside bushing for your second setup cutting into your project. Very easy if you have a jig to follow like you demonstrated. I appreciate you sir. Thank you for sharing your skills knowledge and experience



  6. mystang 89 on October 24, 2022 at 2:03 am

    When did you start putting techno music in? Not a fan



  7. Marc Barash on October 24, 2022 at 2:06 am

    comment



  8. Michael Bromish on October 24, 2022 at 2:08 am

    No shot of the final product? This is just amateur…..



  9. o bez on October 24, 2022 at 2:08 am

    If it helps anyone, diameter of second guide bush just needs to be diameter of first guide bush plus twice the diameter of the router cutter. For example 1/8 bit with a 1/2 guide bush for initial cut and 3/4 bush to cut the pocket.
    Or in metric say a 6 mm bit, 12 mm guide bush then a 24mm bush works.



  10. Peter Davey on October 24, 2022 at 2:09 am

    Great idea.



  11. Timothy Hall on October 24, 2022 at 2:10 am

    Thumbnail looks like standing sculptures on a desertscape!



  12. Spencer Bass on October 24, 2022 at 2:13 am

    Good video.



  13. Hassan Al-Mosawi on October 24, 2022 at 2:23 am

    Thanks for sharing those tips and the make!



  14. Patrick Michaels on October 24, 2022 at 2:24 am

    This is so cool! Thanks for sharing the info and educating us. 👍🏼



  15. Crusty Camper on October 24, 2022 at 2:27 am

    That’s very neat work. I will have to find the metric equivalents because it works so well.



  16. The Relaxing Woodshop on October 24, 2022 at 2:29 am

    Nice one



  17. ovidiu mirauta on October 24, 2022 at 2:31 am

    Imperial measurements is shit mate



  18. americo souza on October 24, 2022 at 2:31 am

    show



  19. Tall Timbers Wood Shop on October 24, 2022 at 2:32 am

    Thanks, John. Good info.



  20. Draztiq Meshaz on October 24, 2022 at 2:32 am

    Thanks dude!



  21. Berry Conway on October 24, 2022 at 2:35 am

    I’ve seen you use, what appears to be, construction adhesive instead of yellow glues in more than one video. Sometime could you please talk about why you’ve chosen that? Thanks for another instructive video.



  22. ddigre01 on October 24, 2022 at 2:35 am

    Slightly better than my trial and error (and error and error and error) method



  23. Niels Cremer on October 24, 2022 at 2:36 am

    Oh so 51/64 sounds like an odd size? Try 5/16, 3/8 and the like xD imperial can just never ever make sense to me.



  24. John Heisz - I Build It on October 24, 2022 at 2:36 am

    Get my 6 Piece Screwdriver Set: https://ibuildit.ca/blog/6-piece-screwdriver-set/
    I needed to inlay some decorative bowties and came up with a way to use a standard guide bushing set to do it.
    I used a 1/4" straight cutting bit with two difference size guide bushings – a 5/16" outer diameter one and a 51/64" outer diameter.
    You’ll use the 5/16" bushing to cut the inlay, carefully cutting around the perimeter using the template.
    Then you use the same bit and template to cut the recess that the inlay fits into, but switch the guide bushing for the 51/64" size.
    It’s as easy as that.
    Most imperial guide bushing sets have a 51/64" bushing. I had to cut mine shorter to work with the 1/4" thick template, but that’s the only modification I did.
    The beauty of this method is that it uses one template to do both operations, guaranteeing a precise match and fit. Using one template also makes it quicker to do, and reduces the chances of mistakes.

    There may be other bit and bushing combinations that work, and if you know one let me know in the comments.



  25. Doug Bridgeman on October 24, 2022 at 2:40 am

    I’m waiting for John to start making things in the kitchen again, i need a new stock pot🤣🤣. Thanks for all your time and efforts cheers👍



  26. William Fitzer on October 24, 2022 at 2:43 am

    Why do you use a construction adhesive for glue rather than standard wood glue?



  27. Josh Wright on October 24, 2022 at 2:45 am

    dope, thanks for the video👍



  28. Mike Tran on October 24, 2022 at 2:47 am

    I subscribed twice



  29. Renier van Zyl on October 24, 2022 at 2:47 am

    I have to say, it is an honor to see you work and putt your years of knowledge on display. ( though I don’t have the gutts to try some of the things that you do. Thanks for all the knowledge that you share on a regular basis.



  30. Leo Weisman on October 24, 2022 at 2:48 am

    Best description of this procedure for my thick brain. Thank you.



  31. Roland Dean on October 24, 2022 at 2:51 am

    I do something SIMILAR to that BUT, since I have a CNC router, I use it to cut my templates and patches in various shapes. I leave the corners rounded because that’s how the CNC cuts them and I just cut out my pockets with my templates and. simple .25" pattern bit. I install my wooden latches I make and sell in a similar fashion. I have a video for that (not as good as your content John…your stuff is amazingly done…maybe some day I’ll catch up) on my YouTube channel. I’d love to get your feedback on it.



  32. Michael Bromish on October 24, 2022 at 2:52 am

    And how to make the bowtie template so perfectly????????