Steve Latta taught me how to make a plug cutter from a piece of brass tubing in a class he taught on line & berry string inlay. Use a triangular file and file rip cut teeth on the 
end of the brass tube. I did a quick and crummy job on mine and it still cuts like a champ. One thing to remember is the tube will burn easily so wipe it down with a damp paper towel frequently.
Don't cut all the way through your wood because the plug might get stuck in the tube. Instead, cut part way through, put a piece of tape on top of the plugs and saw them off at the bandsaw. The tape keeps the plugs from falling out onto the floor and into the black hole that exists underneath all of our shop storage units.
Nifty
ReplyDeleteVery nice, VC. It is this kind of detail that will make a piece stand out!
ReplyDelete1. Which radius cutting tool do you use? Did you make your own?
2. Did you also make your own thin-strip cutter?
Al, we made all of the tools in Steve's class and made various radii tools. We also made the slicing gauge in his class and used it for cutting the thin strips. He's an excellent instructor and teaches the line and berry class at Olde Mill Cabinet Shoppe, if you're interested.
ReplyDeleteHe has also written articles on his technique. I believe that one of his articles was recently printed in Fine Woodworking.
Hey VC - I have a question unrelated to this post, but it's been bugging me:
ReplyDeleteThe picture that is labled: Work In Progress on the right side of your blog. Has that been finished?
Just curious!
Does it count if in mind I've finished it???
ReplyDeleteUm, no. BUT, 6 drawers are finished now instead of just 2.