I wanted to create a set of salt and pepper shakers with layered strips of metal. After thinking about the many ways I could accomplish this, I chose to experiment with damascene inlay using the metal lathe. Damascene inlay requires undercuts in the substrate metal so that the wire inlayed can be hammered in and trapped in the undercuts. The merge of the two occurs with out the use of epoxy or solder.
early tests in types of cuts on the lathe using aluminum and steel
after much experimentation, the ideal tool to create the undercuts was a mini parting tool I ground. a custom made chasing tool also helped with cleanly hammering in the metals.
steel with inlayed brass and sterling silver
7075 Aluminum inlayed with brass
