Official Luthiers Forum!

My first task on my new benchtop cnc was to cut a shell inlay for the end wedge of the guitar I'm building for my wife. It came out very well. My question is how much of an allowance should I make when cutting the pocket so the inlay will go in without breaking. I am using Vcarve pro which is very inlay friendly and allows me to input an "allowance" on the pocket to make it larger than the male inlay. I understand that it might take some experimentation, but I'd like to start out in the ballpark if there is a "rule of thumb" so I don't waste material.
thanks for any advice,
Mike

First thing to try is cutting the pocket path two or three times and seeing if the inlay falls in. The extra to use is sort of particular to each machine and strategy, but I used to use 1.5 thou on my inlays which worked out to be just enough to wick in the CA I used for inlay gluing.

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Bob Garrish
Former Canonized Purveyor of Fine CNC Luthier Services

Thanks Bob, that really helps me out. I had pictured forcing the inlay in, and then getting stuck and ruining it if the pocket wasn't big enough. Just enlarging it till it will drop in will take all the drama out of it!
Mike