DIY Network

Inlaid Spice Rack: Finishing Touches From "Wood Works" episode WWK-510

	The completed spice rack.
	The maple inlay was added using a hand-held router and specialized router-inlay kit.

The final steps in the creation of the spice rack are to glue the inlay in place, install the crest-rail and give the spice rack a fine wood finish.

Materials:

Yellow woodworker's glue
Clamps
Cabinet scraper
Hand scraper
Drawer pulls
Tung-oil wood finish
Paint brushes
Rags

Safety Alert: Always wear safety goggles or safety glasses when
working with wood, power-tools, saws, drills, routers, etc.

Safety Alert: Always wear protective gloves, and ensure adequate ventilation, when working with wood stains, solvents and other toxic solutions.

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	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C
	Figure D

Finishing Touches

• Apply yellow woodworker's glue to the back of the maple inlay and into the oval recess.

• Carefully press the inlay into position (figure A).

• Cover the inlay with some paper and a caul of MDF. Add clamping pressure to the caul and allow several hours for the glue to dry.

• Once the glue has dried, use a cabinet scraper to remove any glue squeeze-out.

• Use a hand-scraper to flush up the inlay with the surface of the crest-rail.

• Once the inlay is complete, attach the crest rail by adding glue to the top of back-panels and into the rabbets on the sides.

• Position the crest-rail (figure B).

• Add clamps protected with cork blocks (figure C) and allow several hours for the glue to dry.

• Once the glue has dried, you can apply a wood finish. We opted for a hand-rubbed tung-oil finish to bring out the reddish tones of the mahogany and enhance the figure of the maple (figure D).

• Choice of drawer-pulls is a matter of personal preference. We opted for brass handles with a patina finish. Consult hardware catalogs or websites to find handles that suit your taste.