Templates 101

[dingobass]

'A good template gives good results, a great template gives great results'...

Templates are your best friend, the end result rests on the accuracy of your templates.

To date, I have used plywood for my templates but now I use MDF.

I draw my design directly on the board, having established centrelines etc..
Then drill holes for jigsaw access and then cut the pup, control cavities first.

[dingobass]

A better pic...

Next job is to tidy it up...

[wokkaboy]

nice one DB, your template collection has grown from my weekend visit from the last visit.
More templates you have made less chance of having to make a new one !

[stan]

nice DB, how to you finish up the the edges? Files? MDF can fray a bit. CA glue afterwards perhaps, but what is the process before that?

[dingobass]

Ok, here it is with cavity routs cleaned up on the bobbin sander.

Next step is to supa goo the edgdes before final cleanup..

[gavinturner]

Great DB - thanks so much for this thread. Supergooing the edges is a genius move! Currently I am in the position that I have never made a template that hasn't been ruined the first time i got the router on to it. I'm learning very slowly. Any pointers on using your templates without stuffing them with the router would be greatly appreciated .

cheers,
Gav.

[wokkaboy]

@ Gav easy bro, just make sure all the edges of the templates have been super glued, make sure 100% of the bearing on the router bit is in contact with the edge of the template.
Worth checking regularly too. I've seen a body blank ruined because the clamp on the router height adjustment wasn't tight and the router tore a big chunk out of the blank

[dingobass]

@ Gav easy bro, just make sure all the edges of the templates have been super glued, make sure 100% of the bearing on the router bit is in contact with the edge of the template.
Worth checking regularly too. I've seen a body blank ruined because the clamp on the router height adjustment wasn't tight and the router tore a big chunk out of the blank

Yep. Guilty of that one too, Woks..

There are still a few things to do yet.
Clamp to body that was pre shaped by hand.
Rout outside profile.
Make a copy, with neck heel shape.
Supagoo this template...

These guys are my master templates, I will have copies for use in the Man Cave..

[FrankenWashie]

To date, I have used plywood for my templates but now I use MDF.
.

Is this because the MDF gives a better edge finish than the ply? what thickness of MDF, 1/2" or thinner?

[dingobass]

Hey Franken, main reason is MDF once sealed is far more stable than ply.