: If you need bits or blades etc dont go to hardware stores (or buy the dremel
: kind stuff) it will be a lot cheaper to visit a jeweller supplies store
: (or stores that have supplies for people that make dentures, the tools are
: exactly the same)

Also take a look at places that supply luthiers (people who build stringed instruments like guitars). Below are a few links. A lot of the inlays they do use hard materials like metals and shells.

Stewart-MacDonald
http://www.stewmac.com/

Luthiers Mercantile Int.
http://www.lmii.com/

The picture is of a big inlay on my current project. I bought most of my stuff from them Stewart-MacDonald.I just posted an entry you might be interested in. About half-way down In the post is a picture of the keyhole bench hook and some of the tools he was talking about. I made the hook from some scrap maple.

Dan