Came across this site for templates...

[bound'n'blocked]

I have no affiliation with these folks, other than I bought a template from them last night, but the prices seeded to be really reasonable. Cheapest I had found anyway. They seemed to have a pretty wide selection too.

Guitar Parts Center Products

I wish I had found this about three weeks ago. The money I would have saved would have bought a couple more templates rather than trying to make my own, when I really don't know how to do that.

Ill add a pic when it gets here...

BnB

 

[barking_spider]

Good bookmark to have, thanks!

Georgia Luthier Supply has nice, full size plans for many guitars and basses.

I think that I'll be pulling the trigger on a 3D printer soon, so that should be great for making templates

 

[TrustRod]

I think that I'll be pulling the trigger on a 3D printer soon, so that should be great for making templates

Not so much. They are difficult to get the precision you want and fragile if you print in PLA, with other materials being more difficult to use. Surprisingly printing a large flat surface that doesn't warp can take a good deal of skill and hours of print time. A laser cutter or CNC will do a better job.

 

[bound'n'blocked]

Good bookmark to have, thanks!

Georgia Luthier Supply has nice, full size plans for many guitars and basses.

I think that I'll be pulling the trigger on a 3D printer soon, so that should be great for making templates

Not so much. They are difficult to get the precision you want and fragile if you print in PLA, with other materials being more difficult to use. Surprisingly printing a large flat surface that doesn't warp can take a good deal of skill and hours of print time. A laser cutter or CNC will do a better job.

My son ordered a 3D printer and it arrived this morning. I'll be interested to see what can be printed it that can be used in relation to a guitar, but I figure it would be limited to things like truss rod covers, knobs, and maybe pickup rings...

BnB.

 

[TrustRod]

I've had some success making knobs out of TPU (urethane). I like the slightly rubbery feel and the crazy colors available.

 

[bound'n'blocked]

As promised...som s pictures of the templates.

Cavity cover template:

Inner cavity template:

Cavity lip template:

These seem really nice and smooth. 1/4 inch acrylic...definitely worth the $23 shipped. I think I'm going to order a neck template too.

Question: should I remove the protective tape on it?

BnB

 

[Matt Liebenau]

As promised...som s pictures of the templates.

Cavity cover template:
View attachment 3383750
Inner cavity template:
View attachment 3383752
Cavity lip template:
View attachment 3383753

These seem really nice and smooth. 1/4 inch acrylic...definitely worth the $23 shipped. I think I'm going to order a neck template too.

Question: should I remove the protective tape on it?

BnB

Yes you can remove the paper. What you might want to do however, is get some 1/2" or thickness of your choice MDF or void free plywood and copy those templates then keep the originals as masters. Just a suggestion. Templates can wear and it is possible for a bearing to move and the bit cuts right into the template.

 

[bound'n'blocked]

Yes you can remove the paper. What you might want to do however, is get some 1/2" or thickness of your choice MDF or void free plywood and copy those templates then keep the originals as masters. Just a suggestion. Templates can wear and it is possible for a bearing to move and the bit cuts right into the template.

good suggestion....

BnB

 

[TrustRod]

Inner cavity template:
View attachment 3383752

There's not much wood left around the screw holes. I'd be worried about it splitting, which I've seen many times with tiny tabs like that. If you do make MDF copies you might consider trying to pad those out a bit.

 

[dwizum]

I agree with that regarding the screw tabs. Or just ditch the screws and use tiny magnets!

 

[bound'n'blocked]

I agree with that regarding the screw tabs. Or just ditch the screws and use tiny magnets!

I was actually considering using magnets. I had seen where a builder had driven small screws with flat topped heads into the cavity lip and then put the magnets on the cover. I might go the two magnets route.

BnB

 

[Jisch]

I would definitely use two magnets. I haven't ever used one and a screw, but I think for the cover to be really secure you need two magnets.

 

[bound'n'blocked]

I've had some success making knobs out of TPU (urethane). I like the slightly rubbery feel and the crazy colors available.

View attachment 3381762

Here is a knob my son printed on the new 3D printer he got. Very nice, solid, feels abiua like a Coke bottle cap.

BnB

 

[Jisch]

Can you sand that down to make the top smooth?

 

[TrustRod]

Here is a knob my son printed on the new 3D printer he got. Very nice, solid, feels abiua like a Coke bottle cap.

Cool, they'll get better as he figures out all the little details. Some of those would be to look into the patterns for top and bottom surfaces, I like a spiral or circular pattern for knobs. Also printing it upside down will give a smoother surface for the top and remove the need for any supports on the bottom side.

 

[Gilmourisgod]

+1 on making a set of MDF copies and saving the originals, you can harden up the MDF edges with CA glue. I trashed a Stewmac cavity template with a router slip, glad i had the MDF copy!