What is your favorite material for making templates and why?
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.
It's never too late to have a happy childhood.
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.
Rick Potter
DIY journeyman,
FWW wannabe.
AKA Village Idiot.
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.
It's never too late to have a happy childhood.