What is your favorite material for making templates and why?
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What is your favorite material for making templates and why?
Usually depends on what kind of template that I'm making.
For ones that I'm using to just draw a pattern, I'll use 1/8" hardboard.
It's easily shaped and is stiff enough to last.
For those that I'm going to use as a routing template, I'll use 1/2" MDF.
Again, easily shaped and thick enough for the roller bearings to ride on.
Ditto to Chris' method.
If I plan to route a LOT of parts from the template I use baltic birch, as the MDF will eventually start to dent on the edges.
I like MDF and will give it a quick coat of shellac to harden the surface. I also will use Baltic Birch.
Forgot to add that when I use MDF, I either put a glue size on the edge to keep it from denting, or spray the whole thing with a poly coat.