Chisels for MOP inlay

[Jon Heimbruch]

Hi All. I am going to be inlaying a few MOP diamonds on my next fretboard. I have a modified dremel attachment and bits for the job but feel more confident doing it by hand with chisels. I am looking for a source for the chisels but am not having much luck. Any feedback as to where to look would be appreciated. Thanks. Jon

[John Link]

Jon,

I have always used the Dremel for inlay but think I agree with you that chisels are better. I would use a very small one plus whatever larger ones were merited by the size of the inlay. Plus I would use "marking" knives to set and adjust the edges, from above.

The problem with Dremels is control. Being motorized, they want to walk in a direction that is sometimes contrary to what is desired. I have found the more cautious and slow I go with them, the better the result. I suppose in a very large inlay I would still use a Dremel, but keep it will away from the edges.

[Jon Heimbruch]

Thanks John. I feel much the same as you about the dremel but as you have said I would use it on a larger inlay. I am having trouble finding small enough chisels for inlay work however. Do you know where a fellow could order them?

[Dave Bagwill]

I found a 1/8" chisel at TheBestThings.com

[ken cierp]

Exacto makes tiny chisels -- maybe I am lucky but using a Dremel in their "crappy" router base worked fine for me -- sharp/new down spiral bits at the highest speed. $.02

[Jon Heimbruch]

Thanks for the good info on the inlay chisels. Jon