Inlaying Decorative Banding – Detail That Delights

Article 96: Inlaying Decorative Banding – Detail That Delights

By: A Woodworker Who Paints With Wood Strips

Decorative banding adds elegant contrast to tabletops, boxes, or frames. It’s easier than it looks if you plan carefully.

Materials

• Banding strips (e.g. 1/8" wide, 1/16" thick)

• Veneer glue or white glue

• Blue painter’s tape

• Sandpaper (320–400 grit)

Tools Needed

• Router with edge guide (or a sharp chisel)

• Utility knife

• Small clamps or weights

• Block plane or sanding block

Steps

1. Layout Inlay Path

   • Mark a channel 1/8" wider than banding. Straight or curved.

2. Cut Channel

   • Use a small router bit or chisel. Depth: same as banding thickness.

3. Fit and Glue

   • Press banding into groove with glue. Tape in place tightly.

4. Level and Finish

   • Plane or sand flush. Apply finish over entire surface.

Sketch – Banding Set Into Panel

  [Wood Panel]
  ┌───────────┐
  │ ║║║║║║║║  │ ← Inlaid banding
  └───────────┘