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On my current build, I plan to put something on the headstock. Im thinking Ill just sign my last name on the headstock, then you a dremel with a 90 degree stand and a narrow fluted bit to trace my signature with the dremel (cutting into the wood where I have signed). I want to do something here that looks like inlay, but im thinking I'd like to take the easy way out and use epoxy mixed with a powder for color (I just want white, cream, or tan). Im wondering what I can use for this. Im looking at acrylic powders on ebay but im wondering if anybody knew of something better to mix with epoxy (I know I can also use wood dust but I want to explore all options). -Alex

I would do some practice pieces of course, but I did a little experimentation with this with my dueling dragons build - I actually mixed nail polish with my stewmac quick setting clear epoxy - it's how i did the drogon's eyeballs - that and a thin slice of coffee can lid for the pupils. My wife & daughter have a HUGE selection of nail polish and it seemed to dry REALLY hard - experiment with the amounts you need into some scrap wood - then sand it down to see what it looks like - good luck!

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"Talking about music is like dancing over architecture".
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Your issue will be bubbles and bleed if you don't take precautions.

Of course.....practice on test pieces. Different speices will work better than others. For instance...for a wood without pores to fill...maple is seriously porous and will allow most liquids to seep through it easily.

So....seal the cavity a couple of times with shellac. If you don't seal it...the epoxy WILL seep into the pores, which is bad enough, but it will also displace air, which will introduce bubbles.

Also....try Zpoxy first. Most epoxies are viscous to the point that it is almost impossible to mix them without stirring in bubbles. Zpoxy is alcohol soluable (denatured alcohol) which allows you to thin it without changing the mechanical properties much. About 10% denatured alcohol will make it so thin it will not hold bubbles....or at least they will rise and clear the fluid. You wait about ten or twenty minutes for most of the alcohol to flash off and then you have perfectly clear material to pour...carefully.

When you pour make sure you overpour....the surface tension will allow for a little dome to hold shape above the surface. The material will shrink as the alcohol flashes out.

Take a look at Mohawk tinting powders. They can make seriously opaque liquid mixed in small amounts.

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I read Emerson on the can. A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds...true...but a consistent reading of Emerson has its uses nevertheless.

StuMusic

Wonderful advice fellas, thanks! -Alex

You could take a look at using a casting resin, which will cure to a real opaque white. Check out Smooth On products.

The urethane casting resins are completely clear until the last bit of the cure cycle when they go opaque, so finding and pulling out / popping any air bubbles a cinch!

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Bob Garrish
Former Canonized Purveyor of Fine CNC Luthier Services

A friend of mine made my band a picture with our cd and some other things in a frame. He used epoxy instead of glass. He poured the epoxy into the frame and let it cure. I worked great with no bubbles but i was perfectly clear. I dont see why it wouldn't work for you if you could find a way to color it.