Using Inlace Material

A turned bowl with a band of Inlace turquoise.

Inlace is an easy to use inlay material for woodturning that will add stunning effects on your woodturning projects by filling natural holes and cracks with Inlace. You can combine Inlace with other materials such as Inlace Translucent Dyes, Inlace Nuggets, Inlace Metal Dust.

Inlace Precautions

  • Keep InLace materials in an area that is out of the sun and less than 72 degrees.
  • Work in a well ventilated area.
  • Wear eye protection at all times.
  • Wear a dust mask when sanding.
  • Mix in glass or paper containers.
  • Keep the lip of the resin can clean, and close container securely.
  • Resin shelf life is one year.

Directions

Add 25 to 30 drops of hardener to 1 ounce of colored InLace, or 20 to 25 drops to 1 ounce of Clear InLace. Adding a little less hardener will be just fine, but adding an excessive amount will prevent the InLace from hardening at all. There is a 12 to 15 minute window to add InLace to your project. It will be hard enough to work within 12 hours.

Tips For Mixing And Turning Inlace

  • Make sure the material you are inlaying is dry. Too much moisture can cause the wood to shrink away from the material. Undercutting or grain sealing may be necessary prior to using InLace in oily woods such as cocobolo. Make sure to leave the turning a little oversized in order to allow a finishing pass after the InLace is dry. If the material seems too thick, add acetone to bring it back to the desired viscosity. Once the hardener is added, InLace must be used immediately. There will be no time for further adjustment.
  • Wearing a respirator or dust mask, mix 2 ounces of InLace with 50 to 60 drops of hardener in a paper cup using a tongue depressor. The small white cup included with the kit is 1 ounce. Use it to measure out the amount needed, and mix together in the larger cup. If mixing only 1 ounce of InLace, then use only 25 to 30 drops of hardener.
  • With the turning still on the lathe, dab the material into the grooves while turning the object by hand. Don’t worry about being too neat, but take care to avoid air bubbles. Allow at least 12 hours before turning the InLace down. It will continue to feel a little sticky after it is hard. It is strongly recommended to use a vacuum at the lathe at all times, but especially while turning down InLace. Finish with normal abrasives.
  • Two ounces of InLace will finish out as 15 feet of 1/8” X 1/8” of inlay. Do not mix more than you need!  Clean up with acetone and do not smoke near the fumes.

A Word About Clear Inlace

Clear InLace will appear to yellow when the hardener is added, but don’t worry, it will harden clear. Clear InLace, without any additives, will shrink a bit. The less hardener that is used, the less the shrinkage will be, but the longer it will take to harden.

Methyl Ethyl Ketone Peroxide

  • The hardener is methyl ethyl ketone peroxide. If an excessive amount of hardener is added to InLace, excessive heat will develop, which could cause an ignition (spontaneous combustion), and possible injury or fire.
  • Keep this material away from direct sunlight, heat, sparks and flames. Do not add hot material of any kind. Never add peroxide. Contact with eyes or skin should be avoided. In case of eye contact, immediately flush with plenty of clear water and contact a doctor. In case of skin contact, wash with soap and water. If swallowed, contact a doctor immediately.

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