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Templates

PDX Rich

PDX Rich

Dec 19, 2014
1,298
897
52
Portland, OR
#1
After shredding two 1/2" MDF neck taper templates while removing from the double-stick tape, I decided I wanted to go with something a bit tougher, yet still easy to work with. After working with Baltic birch ply for a couple months in a college-sponsored woodworking class, I have decided that this may be a fantastic template material for me. Granted, it is not as cheap as MDF, but why not have templates that can last for a good deal of time?

I plan on making my third neck template from this, as well as duplicating my body template with it.

Does anyone else use this as a template medium? If not, what do you prefer?
 
#3
mansjasont said:
Disclaimer: Not an expert and don't really have any experience.

If its an issue you may want to make a "Master Template" and use that to make throw away templates when needed. Keeps one good set that you can attach to your throw away using a couple screws maybe??? Just an idea...
Click to expand...

Very valid, and I am sure some folks do just that!

As for me, I am not as concerned with a master template set, as it is easy enough to print out a drawing and glue it to a medium. Using the Baltic birch gives me a very easy-to-work-with medium with fantastic toughness.
 
#5
I use both MDF and Baltic Birch plywood for my templates and fixtures. Either will work. I generally prefer the MDF.....but, it needs to be the right kind of MDF. Most lumber places sell MDF in two types, usually called Light Weight and Medium Weight. The Light Weight MDF is not so good for templates. Under the hard skin, it's soft and powdery. It just falls apart. That's probably what you were using. The Medium Weight MDF is heavier, darker color, and more expensive. It's great for templates. It saws and machines well, and screws will thread into it. I have Medium Weight MDF templates and fixtures that are 25 years old and still going strong.

I tend to use the Baltic Birch plywood more for fixture parts where strength is an issue. But, I've made plenty of routing templates from it too.
 
#6
Some of my MDF stock is really decent--mainly the 3/4" stuff. My 1/2" stock is hit or miss. I'll likely see what I have left of it and reserve the higher quality MDF for templates until it is gone, then switch to the BB ply. I also plan to build a router thicknessing sled with the birch. Versatile!
 
#9
I used that because of the same problems you were having, not to mention the junk MDF I was using would scar up easy, even from a router bit bearing..
 
#10
Hickory is awesome, except on bits and blades. I had a bear of a time cutting my hickory body wings on my tiny bandsaw.

I am considering making a kitchen counter top out of the stuff.

Back to the Baltic birch, it is sturdy, sands well and will even take a roundover. The only issue I've seen with it was when someone decided to take it too fast through a table saw. It'll chip out/fray quite a bit on the tops if you do that. I think the cost could be quite reasonable if one is efficient with fixture/template designs (as far as getting very little waste).
 

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