Question

[POSTON WIDEHEAD]

I love to scan the internet looking a woodwork.

Sometimes I come across a slab or slabs placed together with what looks like "bow ties". I know they are used for holding wood together or to keep wood from further cracking.
Where do you get these and how do you get one to fit so perfect in a piece of wood?

Thanks.

[Woodey]

I use a bow tie pattern and inlay router bit set. They work well to get the tight fit. I picked mine up for around $20
from MLCS and you can use the inlay router bit set with any type of pattern.

[metalspinner]

The inlay router bit set is very easy to use and does a nice job. But one little thing about it has always bothered me - the router bit leaves a rounded corner. Oh, and that tiny little 1/8" bit can snap on you if you get carried away with too much speed and pressure.

If you wan to do it by hand, first you make the butterfly. Then place  it in postion on the workpiece and trace around it with a knife.  This gives you a slot to guide your chisel when you chop out the waste. Chop, trim, and shave until you get a perfect fit with your butterfly. Working carefully you can get some nice sharp corners. ;D

[Tree Feller]

As has been said, the inlay router bit kit is the easiest way to make bow ties or any other inlay on flat surfaces. Sharp corners will need to be cleaned out with a chisel as the 1/8" router bit will leave a radius.

If you want to do them without the inlay kit, I agree with metalspinner except that I would clean out close to the scribed line with a router and then clean up with a chisel, sneaking up on the final dimension for a tight fit.

[clearcut]

You may want to search for the term "dutchman wood repair" to find examples and techniques.

[Lud]

If the bowtie is drier than what you're putting it in, you'll have a tighter fit when they normalize.

The bowtie  can be shaved so it's a smidge wider at the top, (and before you've traced).  When pounded in, it's tighter than a ..................... :D

The bowtie can be left proud a bit.  When sanded off , it'll have that how'deydodat? look. 8)

[WDH]

They look really cool and make the defect a design feature.

[jamesamd]

David,the ties can be made on the table saw,with a high fence prefered.Shallow angles make a stronger tie,along the grain,just as in a dovetail.You can mill a 3' board in minutes and then cut the thickness You need with the miter gauge or the chop-saw.If You span a long crack,You may be able to saw the dovetail.:D
Jim

[POSTON WIDEHEAD]

When I get time, I'm gonna try it on one of my benches. The bow ties have a purpose but I think it also gives your project a very nice look.....and yeh LUD.......how 'deydodat?  :D

[WDH]

David,

I have some wormy ash that has one of your benches name all over it  ;D.  If it ever cools down.......... .

[POSTON WIDEHEAD]

David,

I have some wormy ash that has one of your benches name all over it  ;D.  If it ever cools down.......... .

You got that right......IF it ever could down.  >:(