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What glue are you using to temporarily attach inlays? I've been using a tiny drop of fish glue but I would rather get away from having to put water on the board to remove them after marking if I could.

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Steve Smith
"Music is what feelings sound like"

I use CA glue

What do you use to remove them?

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Steve Smith
"Music is what feelings sound like"

if you use very little CA, you can remove them with an exacto knife. or... if you use too much, some acetone will release CA.

I use regular Titebond. A warm iron will melt it.

I use a drop of Elmer's white. I hit the inlay with a heat gun or hair dryer to remove. Keep a little sideways pressure on it with a probe or something. When it starts to release shut off the gun so you don't blow it across the shop.

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It's not what you don't know that hurts you, it's what you do know that's wrong.

If you need to use water to get them off, you're using too much glue. Just use a tiny drop (or multiple spaced along the length of skinny things). Hold the piece in place with your left hand while scribing around it with the right (unless you're left handed ) so you don't break the glue. It's really only needed to keep the piece in place while you change positions. If it's an easy piece, I'll skip the glue and just make sure I keep at least one finger holding it down at all times while repositioning my hands as I work my way around.

When done, pop the piece up with a blade wedged under it. Glue residue scrapes off of shell easily with an x-acto knife. Wood inlays, it's easier to sand off. Or just leave it.

A (small) drop of shellac dries very quickly, then they generally pop off with a sharp knife, or a touch of alcohol will help

Ed

I use contact cement. Takes 10 or 20 minutes to set and removes with acetone. I think that is a thanks to Craig Lavin. Read it on something he posted on the WWW

Thanks everyone, a lot of good ideas. I just wondered if the method I've been using could be improved upon and it looks like the answer is yes. I've got a head stock and fret board to lay out tonight so I think I'll try the CA on some and then see if I can cut back on the fish glue on a few others to see how that goes.

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Steve Smith
"Music is what feelings sound like"

Well I used Titebond then used dental floss to slide under the inlay and pop it off. I read that in a book somewhere don't remember where though.


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The dental floss idea is interesting, I usually use a single-edge razor blade for the ones that are sturdy enough to pop off.

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Steve Smith
"Music is what feelings sound like"

I just used a touch of super glue(Home Depot brand) the dental floss popped it right off no sweat. Like I said just a touch of the glue.


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I used the CA yesterday on a fret board and the inlays popped off easily, as you said. For the really fragile inlays I can remove them with acetone. The water/ fish glue has never caused a problem but I think I like the CA better.

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Steve Smith
"Music is what feelings sound like"

I'm not familiar with fish glue. I do use CA for lots of applications. It's simple to use sets up quickly.


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I don't use any glue here is how I do it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o7gYBqLRdMo

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John Hall
blues creek guitars
Authorized CF Martin Repair
Co President of ASIA
You Don't know what you don't know until you know it

I place my inlays on my printer/copier/scanner. Then make a photocopy of the inlays. then a dob of white.fish,yellow etc to fasten them to fingerboard, headstock. then route them or trace around them. makes for a very good fitting inlay

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Under Compensated Nut!

Lots of variations on the glue something on and then cut the cavity. I'm sure they all work just fine and I really appreciate each and every suggestion. I liked using the CA better than the fish glue and the inlay on this guitar is done but my next inlay job will be done John's way - looks faster while still getting the needed results. I'm looking forward to trying it.



Thanks John for taking the time to put that video together!

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Steve Smith
"Music is what feelings sound like"

I like to to use double sided tape. To remove it I let some naptha soak in untill the adhesive dissolves. It is a fast method but the bond is a little weak for more complex pieces.

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http://www.cushmanguitars.com/.

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