Inlay Work on the Wolfpawn — V-Carve Inlay Technique Step by Step

V-carve inlay creates perfectly fitting wooden or resin inlays in a contrasting wood. Two parts: a female pocket in the base, and a male plug cut slightly oversized to press-fit in.

How V-Carve Inlay Works

Both the pocket and the plug are cut with the same V-bit. The pocket cuts normally. The plug is cut upside-down, slightly larger than the pocket. The angled walls lock together — no glue slop, no gaps.

Materials

• Base: Any hardwood — darker woods show light inlay best
• Inlay material: Contrasting wood, resin-filled wood, or solid resin pour
• Both pieces should be flat and surfaced

Step 1 — Cut the Female Pocket

1. Aspire → V-Carve toolpath on your design vectors
2. 60° V-bit, feeds per material
3. Cut into the base material
4. DO NOT set a flat depth — let it go full V depth

Step 2 — Cut the Male Plug

This is the key difference:

1. Use the same vectors
2. V-Carve toolpath but:
3. Check Start Depth: set to 0.2–0.4 mm (this is your inlay offset — makes the plug slightly wider)
4. Check Flat Depth: set to 3–4 mm (defines plug thickness)
5. Cut the plug flipped upside down from the back face of the inlay material

Step 3 — Fit and Glue

1. Test fit the plug — it should sit proud by about 1–2 mm
2. Apply wood glue to the pocket
3. Press plug in — it should seat firmly
4. Clamp until dry

Step 4 — Flush Trim

1. Once glue is cured, run a very light surfacing pass over the whole board
2. OR hand plane/sand flush
3. The inlay should be perfectly flush with the surrounding wood

Offset Troubleshooting