Tongue Depressor bonus.

John B.

Lifetime Pledge Member
::::Pledge Member::::
Joined
Nov 9, 2006
Messages
3,950
Location
Los Angeles area, California.
Sawing out inlays by attaching the metal to a tongue depressor can offer a little bonus in addition to the ease of manipulating the small piece of metal being worked.
Most of the better tongue depressors are made from clear Baltic birch wood.
The same thing used on the top sheet of cabinet grade Baltic plywood.
This is a fine grain, nearly white color wood.
When you have sawn and filed the inlay out and separated the wood from it with acetone clean the tape and glue from both pieces.
The wood backing piece is the same outline as the inlay.
Instead of tossing it away, you or your wood working friend can use it to make a nice broach, pendant or bola.
It can be glued to or inlaid into a nice piece of dark walnut, burl or buffalo horn or other backing material.
The birch can be detailed with a wood burner, carved or sculptured and make a nice gift or little piece to sell at a show or on EBay.
I can make a wearable gift for the client that ordered the inlay work fro you.
Just a thought.

PS. to my post above.
This can also be done using an ivory piano key for the backing material instead of the birch.
 
Last edited:

tmroper

Member
Joined
Jan 22, 2007
Messages
22
Thanks for the tips John. Great tip. Where do you get your toungue depressors
 

monk

Moderator
Staff member
::::Pledge Member::::
Joined
Feb 11, 2007
Messages
10,857
Location
washington, pa
john b. , my tongue has never been depressed, but you are genius, my good man !
 

Sam

Chief Administrator & Benevolent Dictator
Staff member
Joined
Nov 6, 2006
Messages
10,490
Location
Covington, Louisiana
Heck of a good idea, John, and worthy of addition to the Tips Archive. I especially like the old piano key idea! / ~Sam
 

Glenn

Elite Cafe Member
Joined
Nov 9, 2006
Messages
714
John,
Which page in your BOOK references the tongue depressor tip?
 

Peter E

~ Elite 1000 Member ~
Joined
Nov 9, 2006
Messages
1,795
Location
Canton CT
Thanks John for the tip...
I like the piano keys idea, I bought a few 100 on ebay...
Jerry

That must have been a while ago Jerry as they prohibit the sale of ANY ivory on ebay these days.

That IS a good tip as usual John.
 

Willem Parel

~ Elite 1000 Member ~
Joined
Sep 2, 2009
Messages
1,364
Location
The Netherlands
Sorry guys, I am not quite that long into engravingterms, and the most stupid question is the question you don't ask, so ... can you explane to me what a tongue depressor is.
Thanks Willem
 

jlseymour

Elite Cafe Member
Joined
Dec 22, 2006
Messages
695
Location
Mt. Dora FL
Willem it what a doc or nurse hold your tongue down with when you say AAAAHHHH to look down your throat...
Jerry
 

John B.

Lifetime Pledge Member
::::Pledge Member::::
Joined
Nov 9, 2006
Messages
3,950
Location
Los Angeles area, California.
Tmroper, I got a box of 1,000 many years ago from a medical supply house.
I'm sure they are available on the Internet now.
You might ask your friendly doctor or dental doctor for a few to try.

Willem, as you say, if you don't know ask the question.
They are a smooth, flat piece of wood used by doctors and dentists to hold your tongue still while they examine your throat, teeth or mouth.
The ones I use are 3/4" wide X 6" long (20X150mm).
I cut them in half to easily turn while sawing.

Thanks for posting it, Sam.

Dave, Monk, Glenn, Jerry, Maplesm thanks for your comments and for looking in.

Best.
 

Willem Parel

~ Elite 1000 Member ~
Joined
Sep 2, 2009
Messages
1,364
Location
The Netherlands
Thanks, now it's all clear to me and I will keep you all in mind when I am visiting my doctor...:tiphat:
I should have searching on medical vocabulary:beat up:
 
Top