Product Idea for Someone (Templates)

[2600]

I'm not signing up for it, but I've been thinking that it would be a good idea for someone to make a few templates to sell here.  A joystick and a couple different button templates would cover a lot of control panels.

Any thoughts?
Anyone want to sign up for it?

[NiteWalker]

Definitely doable. I'm gonna look into it a bit more.

[ChadTower]

Trackball and spinner jigs would be good.

[Chris G]

What would a spinner jig be for?  Are there spinners that require more than just a button hole cutout?

[ChadTower]

Don't know, never installed a spinner, I assumed it needed a routed spot.

[2600]

Trackball is a good idea, hadn't thought about that.  Although, which side are you talking about.  I could use one for the top side.

FYI, the spinner is just a button hole.  Most of them have it so the axle(?) can be raised up and down for different height control panels so no need to route anything.

[2600]

Definitely doable. I'm gonna look into it a bit more.

Sounds good.  I've seen some of your templates and they are small and thin enough that I'd assume that shipping won't be a big PIA.


FYI, if templates are made and sold.  I was also thinking that we can scan and put them in a pdf or whatever is necessary so that people can use those templates when designing artwork.

[javeryh]

Corner templates of varying radii would be great for CP tops. 

[miles2912]

I used these for my CP

http://webpages.charter.net/rbecker5/files.html

Worked fine. 

[NiteWalker]

Miles, I think 2600 meant templates to use with a router.

[Donkey_Kong]

It took me forever to figure out the diameters for a jig on a trackball mount. I routered from the bottom to within 1/4" & then made a jig for the top 2-7/8" round hole for the ball. I used cardboard. Needed it to be really close to perfect as there will be no CPO, just stained wood.

Happy to say I survived.

[Dustin Mustangs]

I'm not too familiar with router templates, but wouldn't it be specific to the brand/model router you are using?  Not including ones made for use with edge bits of course.

 

[fixedpigs]

I'm not too familiar with router templates, but wouldn't it be specific to the brand/model router you are using?  Not including ones made for use with edge bits of course.

 

absolutely not...

for curiosity's sake...what makes you think that it would...?

[ChadTower]

I'm guessing different base offsets for different models.

[miles2912]

If you are using a pattern bit to cut out the holes then templates are doable.  I used a generic cutting bit and therefore had to know how far in my router cut.  I then traced the outline of the TB and clamped a straight edge out the distance my router cut.  I had to reclamp 4 times but it worked out fine. 

So you can see how knowing how far in a certain brand/model cuts is important.

[2600]

Yes, I was talking about router templates.  I was assuming that pattern bits would be the easiest way to go.

[Dustin Mustangs]

Yeah, the difference in offsets that chad mentioned was what I was thinking of.  The way I understand it, you have no choice but to deal with those when making a mill (ie a recess for a tb or joy mounting plate).  I imagine those would be the types of cuts that a template would be of the most help.

If you where using just pattern bits I guess you'd just be limited to cuts that go all the way throught the board?

[ChadTower]

Wouldn't a plunge router be fine for that?  You would have to find a way to support the router base, though, and securely attach the template in place at the same time?

[Dustin Mustangs]

Right, but now you're away from edge bits and the possibility of a 'universal' template that will work with any router.  Unless I am missing something...

[ChadTower]

I think I am too.  There are many different concepts here.