This is an acrylic inlay experiment with one of my knot work designs. Bottle cap for scale in one shot. They are about 2.5" by 2.25". These are intended to be pins but, my backs disappeared. I am waiting on more to arrive. They are possibly too plastic-y for anyone to want to actually wear. Maybe beveling the edges would help?
The outer frames are frosted acrylic in “cherry blossom” and “kiwi,” while the inlay are just translucent (all from Inventables).
I mirrored the inlay pieces and, cut them from the back in order to try to get a good fit (adjusting for kerf and all). The difference between a tight fit and cracking the frame seems to be about .001”. There are some gaps that show up in the pictures. They are not particularly noticeable in person (being quite small).
It all friction fit, except for three tiny pieces total (some of the smallest). So, I doused them with acrylic cement – the thin stuff so it would wick into the seams. That firmed it all up nicely.
I haven’t annealed these but, still might.
Suggestions for improving the fit, removing the gaps or, anything else about the process are welcome!