"Stoutman" .@. wrote in message
...
When making an inlay I usually leave the inlay a little proud and sand it
flush. Sometimes this will leave the area filling uneven as a result of
the wood surrounding the inlay getting sanded lower in the process.


The same thing can happen when tryign to make a plug flush with the surface.
I suspect you are using a sander to level the surface. Don't do that. Wrap
a piece of sand paper around a piece of wood and hand sand the high spot.
The cushy bottom of the sander is the culprit. The hard non-flexable piece
of wood under the sand paper will keep the paper from dipping into the area
around the inlay.


I recently tried flushing the inlay with the plunge router and a straight
bit by first zeroing the depth with the work piece surface. I then make
small passes over the inlay instantly making it flush with the work. I
wonder why I never thought of this nor never seen this done before (Marks
nor Nahm nor FWW).

Is there a reason it is not done?



Some woods are very prone to tear out. That can happen using the router
method.

The same thing can happen when tryign to make a plug flush with the
surface. I suspect you are using a sander to level the surface. Don't do
that. Wrap a piece of sand paper around a piece of wood and hand sand the
high spot. The cushy bottom of the sander is the culprit. The hard
non-flexable piece of wood under the sand paper will keep the paper from
dipping into the area around the inlay.


Good tip! Thanks.



I recently tried flushing the inlay with the plunge router and a straight
bit by first zeroing the depth with the work piece surface. I then make
small passes over the inlay instantly making it flush with the work. I
wonder why I never thought of this nor never seen this done before (Marks
nor Nahm nor FWW).

Is there a reason it is not done?



Some woods are very prone to tear out. That can happen using the router
method.

That's what I was thinking. But boy, the router makes quick work of
leveling an inlay when the wood cooperates.

"Stoutman" .@. wrote in message
...


That's what I was thinking. But boy, the router makes quick work of
leveling an inlay when the wood cooperates.


Absolutely, and if you are puting in a patch of the same wood and grain the
router would probably be a good idea.