Making router templates?

[ChadTower]

There's a lot of talk around here about router templates... but I'm not sure of the best ways to make them.

What are the good quick ways to make router templates?


(the question arising after I saw indirect reference to a scroll saw being really good for that, and I'm looking at a used scroll saw tonight)

[Chris G]

[I see a Nitewalker novella in this thread's future...] 

[NiteWalker]

Here's my way of making them, depending on the application. If it's for something I need to make two or more of I make a permanent template. The first thing to do is chose your final template material. I use 1/2" baltic birch plywood because it's stable, void free and the edges won't compress like with MDF. If I need to make a template for something that will see single use, I use MDF. In fact, making my perm templates involves first making a template out of MDF. I use MDF for the temporary template because it's super easy to shape. The process is generally lay out the design, cut close to the lines with a jigsaw or bandsaw, sand so it's perfect. The key is making sure the MDF template is absolutely perfect. Any imperfections will transfre to the final template. Once the MDF template is perfect I trace it onto the baltic birch plywood and again cut as close to the lines as possible without going over. The reason is that the less waste the router has to remove the better the quality of the cut.

Single use templates are used if I only need one piece, but the piece to be shaped is a very hard wood (mahogany, purpleheart, ipe, sugar maple, etc) and would make sanding tedious. Or if I needed a particularly shaped piece out of a really expensive wood like ebony or zebrawood.

Permanent templates I make for things like control panel tops, adirondack chair arms, even button hole drilling.

I'm not sure the scroll saw would do all that great. It's mainly for intricate work and other things. Probably a jigsaw or even a small 10" bandsaw are best for assisting in template making. I use the bandsaw for most things. For things too big for the bandsaw I use the jigsaw.

The thing about templates is that it's very common to spend more time making the template than the workpiece. This is normal and expected. The template is getting all the attention and work done on it. The workpiece is just an exact copy of the template. Minimal effort is required because you already spent so much time on the template to make sure it's perfect.

Hope this wasn't too convoluted...

[NiteWalker]

[I see a Nitewalker novella in this thread's future...] 

Man you sure called that one...
 
 
 

[ChadTower]

No, thanks, it makes perfect sense.

So, given that the bandsaw is better here than the scroll saw, I guess I need to figure out which of the two I really want.

[NiteWalker]

When you're ready, this 10" bandsaw is an excellent model. I grabbed it when they had it on sale for $99 a while back. It's perfect for template making and other small tasks that would normally be jigsaw jobs.

[leapinlew]

The thing about templates is that it's very common to spend more time making the template than the workpiece.

If there is anything I've learned while doing carpentry work it's that it almost always take longer to do prep than do the actual work. The key is to learn some patience. It took me a while, but I finally learned I get more done when I take my time and do it right the first time.

[ChadTower]

Just like pretty much all engineering... I spend more time on my design specs than I do my coding.  Hell, if you want proof of that, just look at my bartop project thread.   

I'll keep an eye on that bandsaw... not sure I have enough room for both yet.

Chad

[fjl]

I joined this forum back in January. That was when the cabinet making bug hit me. And to this day I have yet to buy any parts, any wood or anything like that. I've spent all this time doing research and planning out the cabinet from the bottom up. Made a 3D model of it.

I've done so much planning cause I want to have every angle and corner covered before I start. I don't want to be stumped on anything. It's all just about done. For now I've mostly been doing all the planning of what are the better tools to buy. I already got a jigsaw, drill, router, orbital sander, router guide, circular saw, circular saw rip-fence, various grits of sand paper, shop vaccuum, and vaccuum attachment accessories for the various tools. If anything, I'm going overkill on this. But that's just the type of guy I am.

At my job, they tend to put me in charge of certain tasks cause they know I will completely cover everything and get it done right the first time.

I figure I'll finally start building the cab perhaps in a month or so. I want to get it started during summer. Now I just need to save money for the wood, and the arcade parts. I still need two workhorses for holding the work down while I work on it plus a canopy to protect me from the sun while I work outside. I don't have a garage. I still have a lot of planning to go through though. Like deciding on the type of paint to use. I want to made the sides of the cab to have a high gloss finish. Pretty much like car paint which is what I'll probably end up using. But If I go that route I'll need to get a paint sprayer which don't come cheap. That and I still need to tweak the layout of the cab a bit including the CP. And there are still more stuff to plan out but I won't even mention them cause this post is way too long already, GAH!!

Well lets just say that the whole planning part takes long and even way longer for a person like me cause I want to cover everything from the start.