Common Questions
We hope that these responses will help you learn more about our woodworking craft and the materials we use. Here are our responses to common questions asked about our functional pieces and art objects. Have more questions? Please contact us directly.
Wood inlay is the process of removing one area of wood and replacing it with another. It’s a decorative technique where contrasting materials or wood pieces are set into a solid wood surface to create intricate patterns or designs. Wood inlay often embellishes wooden furniture, flooring, or decorative objects.
Any wood type can be used, but the best wood choice for inlay depends on the desired aesthetics and contrast with the surrounding wood. Various contrasts in appearance can be achieved depending on the selection of wood combinations. Common choices include hardwoods like ebony, maple, and walnut, as they offer distinct colors and grain patterns that enhance the visual impact of the inlay design.
At Big Island Engraving, we use a wide variety of decorative woods in our wood art pieces, including walnut, maple, cherry, oak, mahogany, Hawaiian Koa, bloodwood, mango, padauk, palm, pine, poplar, and wenge. These woods offer diverse colors and grain patterns, allowing for intricate and visually striking inlay designs.
Marquetry is decorative in its application where thin pieces of material (e.g. wood veneer, abalone shell, resins) are fixed into a shallow shape-matched recess in a workpiece, then the surface is smoothed. Wood inlay methods use thicker material and can add structural strength while still being decorative.
For example, our Butterfly Inlay Repair System uses inlay material that is nearly ¼” thick. When applied over a wood crack it creates a strong “bridge” that securely holds the facing wood pieces in place.
We do all kinds of custom woodwork. Get inspired by browsing our collection of Hawaiian Koa wood treasures and Contact Us directly with your special request. We’d love to hear from you!
All of our Hawaiian Koa wood inlay platters come with an acrylic display stand specifically made for the piece that angles the platter backward approximately 15 degrees.
It is important to understand that wood expands and contracts with changes in the environment, especially changes in humidity. When the relative humidity decreases, the water content of the wood decreases resulting in shrinkage of the wood fibers. This shrinkage can reach a point where wood can warp, twist, or crack.
Minimize these problems by placing wood art where –sunlight won’t shine on it, –heating or air conditioning ducts won’t blow on it, –other sources of heat won’t be directed at it.
Our large 20” diameter Hawaiian Koa wood inlay platters and Hawaiian calabash bowls are made to order and generally take 2 to 4 weeks to prepare and ship.
As a general guideline, we recommend allowing 1 cubic inch of space of urn capacity for each pound of the individual’s weight. In other words, a person who weighed approximately 200 pounds would require a 200 cubic inch wooden urn.
Big Island Engraving’s Koa Wood Urns are distinguishable from other types of urns by their material composition and aesthetic appeal. Crafted from Hawaiian Koa, our custom urns offer a natural and warm appearance, featuring this unique wood’s grain, or figure. Our Koa wooden box urns exude a natural warmth, and feature intricate detailing and custom engraved urn designs, making them distinctive choices for memorializing loved ones.
The main difference between a traditional wooden urn and a wooden keepsake urn lies in their intended purpose and size. While a traditional urn is typically larger and designed to hold the entire cremated remains of a loved one, a keepsake urn is smaller and meant to hold a portion of the ashes, allowing family members to distribute loved one’s remains among themselves. Wooden keepsake urns are often used to create multiple memorials or to keep a small remembrance of the deceased close by.
The longevity of a wooden urn depends on factors such as the type of wood, environmental conditions, and maintenance. Generally, well-crafted wooden urns can last for generations with proper care, often comparable in durability to other types of urns such as metal or ceramic urns. However, wooden cremation boxes may be more susceptible to damage from moisture or pests compared to materials like metal or stone.
Common types of wood used to make wooden urns include hardwoods such as oak, walnut, cherry, and maple, known for their durability and attractive grain patterns. Additionally, exotic woods like mahogany, rosewood, and teak are also popular choices, offering unique colors and textures that add to the aesthetic appeal of the urn.
Choosing a Hawaiian Koa wood urn offers a unique and meaningful option, particularly if you have a connection to Hawaii or appreciate the rich cultural significance and beautiful grain patterns of Koa wood.
Feel free to contact us directly (phone or email) with questions about custom urn personalization or if you would like to make sure a particular photo is suitable for custom urn engraving.
A good photo for engraving will have high resolution (larger file size), sharp focus and even lighting of the subject with minimal shadows. If possible, avoid photos where the subject is wearing glasses or a hat that casts a shadow.
When selecting an urn for biodegradable purposes, consider choosing a wood urn box made from untreated or sustainably sourced wood to ensure minimal environmental impact. Additionally, opt for urn designs that do not incorporate metal or synthetic components, as these may impede the urn’s ability to decompose naturally. It’s also important to check if the wooden urn meets any specific regulations or requirements for burial in your chosen location.
Koa wood, like other organic materials will decay naturally over time when buried in the ground.
Yes, wooden urns can be used to hold the ashes of animals, providing a dignified and personalized pet memorial. Our koa wood urns come in various sizes and are customizable, making it possible to design a personalized pet urn for a beloved fur baby.
Yes, cremated ashes can be kept in a wooden urn indefinitely, providing a timeless and dignified memorial for loved ones. Wooden custom urns offer a beautiful way to preserve ashes, allowing families to cherish memories for generations to come.
You can display a beautiful wooden urn at home in a place of honor, such as on a sturdy shelf or a dedicated memorial area, ensuring it’s away from direct exposure to hot or cold air.
We suggest to surround the urn with photos of your loved one, cherished mementos, and perhaps the Lord’s Prayer engraved on koa wood. Choose a location that is both prominent and meaningful to you, allowing for quiet reflection and remembrance of your loved one.
We understand how important it is to honor the memories of your loved ones together. Wooden urns can indeed be suitable for holding the ashes of multiple individuals, as long as the combined ashes fit within the urn’s capacity.
Hawaiian Koa wood urns should occasionally be cleaned with a damp cloth.
Wooden urns always have an access panel that is held in place usually with hardware (e.g. metal screws). In addition, cremains are often sealed in a plastic bag or container within.
All the Hawaiian Koa wood urns displayed on our inventory page are fully finished and ready for ordering. Once you select an urn, we will collaborate closely with you via email to finalize the engraving layout. We strive to complete the engraving and have the urn ready for delivery within just a few days, ensuring a seamless and timely experience during this important time.
Here at Big Island Engraving we do not have a warranty per se, however if any concerns arise, we will strive to alleviate them.
Choosing a memorial urn is a deeply personal decision, and at Big Island Engraving, we are dedicated to helping you create a lasting tribute with dignity and respect. Our koa wood urns are crafted with exquisite care by skilled artisans, ensuring each piece is a unique work of art. We offer complimentary engraving services, working closely with you to personalize the urn while maintaining its aesthetic value.
As a family-owned business, we pride ourselves on our commitment to quality and customer satisfaction. We keep detailed records of all our engraved pieces, allowing us to provide consistent, high-quality service. Additionally, koa wood holds a special place in Hawaiian culture, making our wooden urns a meaningful and environmentally respectful choice. Let us help you honor your loved one’s memory with a beautiful and heartfelt memorial urn.
A laminate trimmer works best with our Butterfly Inlay Repair System. It is smaller and easier to handle than most full-size routers.
We have had success with the Porter Cable® PCE 6430, however any laminate trimmer or router with a manufacturer-supplied adaptor for Porter Cable® bushings will work.
The size of the base through hole must be 1-3/16” with a 1-3/8” rim.
We use the Router Inlay kit with a solid carbide downcut spiral bit from MLCS woodworking (#9177) at www.mlcswoodworking.com. The kit includes the bushing, sleeve, retainer nut, and bit.
Similar sets are available from other vendors. Note that the outer bushing sleeve is removed and not used in our process.
Dremel tools are not recommended. Theoretically, it might be possible to set one up with a base plate and the bushing set, but all attempts that we are aware of have not worked out.
First, remember that the carbide bit is fragile. If dropped, it will likely break and therefore it is always a good idea to have a spare bit on hand.
Make a series of light cuts, about 1/16” or 3/32” per pass, clearing the chips along the way until the desired depth is achieved, the edges are true and the recessed surface is flat.
We recommend a final depth of about 3/16” or slightly less. Note that the patch thickness is just over 3/16”, about 0.2”.
The downward shearing action of a downcut spiral bit helps to avoid tearing of the wood grain at the edges of the recess.
Not in most applications. The full strength of the patch is realized by adherence not only to the patch edges but to the flat bottom of the recess generated with the guide template and router.
The best time to install the patches is during the final sanding stages of the outer surface of the bowl. Starting with your dried rough bowl blank, turn to the final form and sand down to 150-240 grit.
Install the patches, let the glue dry, and hand sand them to the rough contour of the bowl before final power sanding on the lathe.
It is possible but if the sander bounces off the proud portion of the patch it can land on another area of the bowl as it turns on the lathe and create a slight depression.
This “sander-bounce” effect is avoided by removing most of the proud portion of the patch with a sanding block prior to power sanding on the lathe.
Yes, we also supply “rounded-corner” butterfly patches. Select this option during the checkout process.
Use a sharp utility knife. With the blade facing upward, insert the tip into the corner, then align the blade with the desired cut direction and raise the handle to cut the wood fibers.
With practice, this takes very little time.
We recommend using a quality aliphatic wood glue such as one of the Titebond products. CA glue can be used, but although it can be dried instantly with an accelerator, it tends to be more brittle and may not hold up as well in the long run.
After routing the recess, apply a very light coat of sanding sealer to the surface of the bowl around the recess. Then apply the glue and install the patch. The sealer will help to prevent the glue from penetrating the bowl fibers and staining the wood.
Yes, we can cut patches from wood that you send to us. Please call to make arrangements (808) 982-9987.