Router form thickness

[_) (V) (-)]

I'm going to try my hand at routing a hole for my coin door and I've made up a template out of a thin sheet of old masonite.  It's maybe 1/8" think.

My question is, will this be strong enough to guide the router when I go to cut the hole in the actual front board piece? (It's about 5/8" laminated particle board)

[javeryh]

As long as the ball bearing depth is set properly to run along the template I don't think it will be a problem although a 1/8" thick template is kind of thin...

[_) (V) (-)]

That's what I was thinking. Maybe I'll parctice on a hunk of plywood first. If it works I can use the plywood as the new form.

[NiteWalker]

I use 1/2" baltic birch plywood for all of my templates. 3/8" would probably do fine as well. 1/8" is too thin.

[miles2912]

Jig saw would be much easier.  Trace the pattern on a piece of cardboard and cut it out to make sure it will work.  Then trace the pattern on your wood and use a jigsaw to cut it out.  I wouldn't use a router here.

D-

[NiteWalker]

I use the jigsaw to get the templates close to where I want them. Then I sand them perfect and use the template with the router. Flawless technique.