Gabe Nickelson Posted October 14, 2002 Report Posted October 14, 2002 Anyone know where to get the cheapest Abalone and MOP inlay material? I'd like to cut out the middleman and buy direct if anyone knows where. Plus, are there any retail stores that carry inlay materials? Thanks, Gabe Quote
Brian Posted October 14, 2002 Report Posted October 14, 2002 Might want to try the vendors on this page, just scroll down to inlay supplies. Quote
Gabe Nickelson Posted October 15, 2002 Author Report Posted October 15, 2002 Well, I just bought one ounce of Paua Abalone for $41. Again, maybe someday I can find out who the actual supplier of this stuff is and get it way cheaper... Gabe Quote
LGM Guitars Posted October 16, 2002 Report Posted October 16, 2002 Gabe, go on ebay, and do a search for luthier, and abalone, I bought an ounce of red abalone, and an ounce of green abalone, both really nice, for $15 an ounce. Quote
hushnel Posted October 17, 2002 Report Posted October 17, 2002 My first try at inlay I just took an inlay class on line at the MIMF.com it was a good start. The link will show you what I have achieved in a short period of time. One of the best thing of this class was the list of sources. Contact David Nichols Custom Pearl Inlay RT1 Box 240 Malone New York 12953 1 518-483-7685 He used to do inlay for Martin and instructed Amy, who is teaching me. I got pearl and abalone for $15.00 per once from him. Quote
Brian Posted October 17, 2002 Report Posted October 17, 2002 Sweet price and info and welcome to the forum Quote
hushnel Posted October 17, 2002 Report Posted October 17, 2002 Thanks Brian and thanks for the heads up in the email. Which I have answered by the way. Quote
Gabe Nickelson Posted October 17, 2002 Author Report Posted October 17, 2002 Holy poo poo! That inlay is awesome! Good work. I hope mine turns out that way! I got one of the those carver high-speed tools so I think I can get some good details. Thanks for the link and keep us posted on your progress! Gabe Quote
cerealk Posted October 17, 2002 Report Posted October 17, 2002 wow nice inlay and like Brian said-welcome to the forum Quote
hushnel Posted October 17, 2002 Report Posted October 17, 2002 Gabe, is that one of those oscillating carvers? One of the things I really, really learned is you want to sand and polish the shell down to the level of the fingerboard, not so critical in a board being made from the ground up but one that is finished or even fretted it becomes important. I say this to emphasize that the level/depth of the rout needs to be exact. You can see what I’m using at the above web page. Just a dremel with a 1/32” router bit and it works fine. Quote
Gabe Nickelson Posted October 18, 2002 Author Report Posted October 18, 2002 Thanks for the info. I have a Dremel as well with the router attachement. I have the Carver for fine detail work, not specific to doing inlays, but if it's there I need it. I don't have a 1/32 router bit! Mines a bit larger I think. I doubt you can buy such a router bit a Home Depot! Gabe Quote
Brian Posted October 18, 2002 Report Posted October 18, 2002 Home Depot can order those in, check out this page for the part numbers, it is for the engraving cutter bits.......... You can also use masking tape and wind it around your turbo carver bits if you get into a pinch and want to use them on your Dremel, but that carver is awesome for fine detail work.......... Quote
Gabe Nickelson Posted October 20, 2002 Author Report Posted October 20, 2002 Hey guys, I actually found some in stock a Frys. Just happened to go there with a friend of mine who was buying computer parts. I stocked up! Gabe Quote
hushnel Posted October 21, 2002 Report Posted October 21, 2002 David Nicholes (# and address above) has all the bits and blades you will ever need for inlay and tons of personal information to boot. Call him the guy is easy to talk to. Quote
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