Full Size Templates

[BassMan257]

hey... i was wondering how to make a body template, and what i should use to do so?

just wondering...

also, places to get the stuff would help alot... thx

 

[teacherguy]

There is a variety of material available to use for templates. I use 3/4" MDF from Home D. Some use marine plywood or birch plywood.
Using thin material could mean the template bends under the weight of a router when routing pick-up cavities, for example.
Spend LOTS and I mean LOTS of time perfecting the contours and the overall layout on the template!!
It's much easier and CHEAPER to correct a mistake made on MDF versus expensive tonewood.

Jon

 

[BassMan257]

There is a variety of material available to use for templates. I use 3/4" MDF from Home D. Some use marine plywood or birch plywood.
Using thin material could mean the template bends under the weight of a router when routing pick-up cavities, for example.
Spend LOTS and I mean LOTS of time perfecting the contours and the overall layout on the template!!
It's much easier and CHEAPER to correct a mistake made on MDF versus expensive tonewood.

Jon

what does mdf stand for?

cause it would be easy for me to pick a couple peices of that up..

given i still dont have a blank or anything, I shouldnt need it for a while..

but im having problems designing basses correctly to size... i mean, when its on a piece of paper, its alot different than when you can almost fit it in your hands...

I dont know where im going with that... but hey, have fun trying to figure it out

 

[Cerb]

3/4" MDF (medium density fiberboard) is also my preference. After getting the shape how you want it, be it with files, sandpaper, etc., I find that a razorblade is the handiest tool. You can use it as a small scraper to remove the roundover that the sandpaper leaves, getting a nice perpendicular edge.

 

[Greenman]

MDF is goooooooood. It machines like goofy and cheap. You can also buy the 24"x24" chunks. If your top routing your bearing has more surface to ride on.