Floor medallion
On 3/19/2017 9:44 AM, Bill Leonhardt wrote:
Fifteen years ago I rebuilt my house and had new hardwood floors installed. They are red oak (3/4) over a plywood (3/4) subfloor. Well its time to have them refinished, but before I do, Id like to build a medallion and inlay it into an area of my floor.
I may do more than one, but the first one I am considering would be for an area about 30 square. The inlay material is not yet decided, but will probably be maple, cherry and walnut. Perhaps some others yet to be named (purple heart). I havent yet decided on the pattern (researching now) nor the shape (round, square, rectangle, diamond), but here is the technique I am considering:
1. Freeze the dimensions and shape.
2. Create a template for the actual inlay size, probably from MDF.
3. Use a router and the template to cut the outline of the inlay into the floor as deep as the red oak (about 3/4) and remove the red oak in the field of the inlay.
4. Measure the height if the existing floor above the subfloor and determine the maximum value.
5. Secure a quality, flat piece of 3/8 plywood a little larger than the template opening and measure its thickness.
6. Plane the hardwood for the inlay to a thickness (around 3/8) such that when its glued to the 3/8 plywood, it will be just proud of the existing floor.
7. Cut the pieces for the inlay and glue them to the plywood. I intend that the glue cover the whole surface of the plywood.
8. Use the template and router to trim the inlay assembly to the size of the opening I routed in the floor.
9. Coat the subfloor with glue and then insert the inlay into the floor opening. Apply weight until the glue dries.
10. If all goes as planned, the inlay should be just proud of the existing floor and the floor finishing people can hit the area with a final sanding to make it flush before the new finish is applied.
I may be making a mistake thinking than wood expansion will not be an issue because I am gluing onto plywood and then gluing the plywood onto more plywood. I would like to hear from others whether they would be comfortable with this technique or whether they see problems.
Thanks, Bill Leonhardt
You might have an issue cutting out the existing floor due to the nails
typically used with hardwood strips. Usually toe-nailed every 8"-10",
through the tongue of each board, so only about 1/4" under the surface.
Not something you want to hit with a router bit.
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