Who uses templates?

I just figured i'd ask how many of you actually use templates, do you buy or make them yourself. Why or why dont you use them.

I think you'll find that most amateur electric guitar builders use templates ......... some purchased ....... some made by the builder.

I wouldn't want to work without them. I make them from 1/4" MDF because its easier to work with, then transfer that to 3/4" MDF for my working template. Downloadable plans are readily available on this forum and others. Once you make one, you have it for repeat builds, barring any mishaps. I keep the 1/4" templates around just in case that happens.

Even if you are going to build only one instrument, they provide you with a much more accurate finished product.

I use templates for the neck pocket, specific pickups and some control area routers. For the
guitar, I normally just use a paper plan, mainly because I'm a much bigger fan of a
sanding belt than I am a router.

I use templates for just about everything, though I don't use a router on the body outline all of the time. Having a template is the best way to make sure that the placement and fit of everything is going to work consistently and make it easy (once you get the template right). I've never bought one.

It's good to learn to build without templates for some of the simpler stuff, but a lot of the time most of the learning of how to design/make a guitar came out of making templates for custom work.

Yes. My first were purchased on ebay from Ron Kirn. I use it for the master for most of my Tele builds. I made a Jag shape template from a tracing as well as neck templates from a Strat and a Tele. I like them because it helps me easily establish a center line and a starting and ending point. I generally use a router, but I have cut some out and used just a sander to get the final shape, but for neck and pickup pockets, for me a template is a must.

Templates are for repeatability and making things uniform as used in industry.
When I first started making electric guitars, templates, pattern bearings for routers, and full size drawings didn't exist. I purchased plywood and made my own patterns from an aftermarket body and used a pin router fixture I built over my router table. I always would cut and sand the body shape and peghead shape to the line. I tried a couple different shaper operations and always got tear out. The choice was simple , to avoid the tearout, I'd use the templates for cavities and continue using the bandsaw and sanders for the body shape. I still maintain that it is just as fast as using a template for the perimeter. Now that spiral bits are available, if I were to do it again, maybe I'd try those. Look at the recent challenge threads and see how many people got template bit tear out on their bodies. It's more than one.

Now I use a cnc router and guess what, I get tear out occasionally even with that, because there are a couple places that go against the grain. Unless you reverse direction there it will tear out, or maybe you could use the spiral bit to eliminate it,but I don't buy those yet. Routing in the same direction as the cutter can cause the body to jerk back at you, and can be hazardous if you aren't expecting it and hanging on. Sanding doesn't cause tear out, but it also means that each body will be unique...

There are places on a guitar body that are very difficult to rout. It has been several bodies since I have routed the entire body. Like stated some areas will tear out just because of the place they are on the body. For me it is the lower horn and the butt where the output jack goes on the tele. I just rough cut them and use the sander. Way less stress.

I've got a set of master and working templates that I made. Sure you could do it without templates, but I don't know why you'd want to.

I think I like making the templates as much as the guitars themselves. I love planning them, getting them perfect. I'll occasionally freehand a build just because I'm in the mood but I'm rarely in that mood. I suspect one of these days I'm going to make up some templates for my Sunday morning pancakes. No reason those pancakes can't all be the exact same diameter.

I've got a set of master and working templates that I made. Sure you could do it without templates, but I don't know why you'd want to.

Must have been a tough template to follow to make the guitar in your avitar :grin:


I think I like making the templates as much as the guitars themselves. I love planning them, getting them perfect. I'll occasionally freehand a build just because I'm in the mood but I'm rarely in that mood. I suspect one of these days I'm going to make up some templates for my Sunday morning pancakes. No reason those pancakes can't all be the exact same diameter.

I'm with you Matt

I think I like making the templates as much as the guitars themselves. I love planning them, getting them perfect. I'll occasionally freehand a build just because I'm in the mood but I'm rarely in that mood. I suspect one of these days I'm going to make up some templates for my Sunday morning pancakes. No reason those pancakes can't all be the exact same diameter.

Big cookie cutters.

I use 'em.... all da time..... :shock:

rk

I use them on every build.

I use a set I purchased from Ron Kirn as my masters, and make 3/4 MDF working templates from them. (1 body outline and pickup/control routes) plus one other devoted to the neck pocket route. Next time I built working templates, I'm going to make the neck template a full-size body route, by stacking and screwing the MDF blanks on top of each other. I think this will make it easier to help assure the neck pocket is perfectly aligned in relation to the rest of the body. This spring I bought the Whiteside 2" spiral pattern router bit which is the perfect tool for finishing body outlines for both templates and the actual bodies, and intend to use it for all builds, because of the quality of cut, avoidance of tearout, and the time it saves.

I suspect one of these days I'm going to make up some templates for my Sunday morning pancakes. No reason those pancakes can't all be the exact same diameter.

Big cookie cutters.

No, I really need to make them myself. If I don't my pancakes won't have any mojo. :lol:

More importantly, your pancakes will more than likely not be vintage correct if you don't.
And, we all know that sustain lies in the syrup.

I use templates. Making the body shape would be easy enough without one, but the pickup and control routes would require one for any accuracy. I don't use one for the neck pocket though. I use Jacks method.

More importantly, your pancakes will more than likely not be vintage correct if you don't.
And, we all know that sustain lies in the syrup.
Don't forget da butta - gots ta have da butta!!!

Gotta have templates. I've done 2 builds with just a paper outline and I prefer using the templates.

I make a template even for one-offs. Why would you not?

I make a template even for one-offs. Why would you not?

Because you have individual templates for all the routs you are going to use and you are going to cut and sand the perimeter?

I laser cut templates for a lot of guys on this forum (and others), and use them myself. Whether you make them yourself or have them made, life is much easier with than without them :-)

Except for neck pockets, pickups, and a few headstocks, haven't used one in 30yrs :lol:. There's always a first time :smile:

Not using templates? ............. Well ........... that's just crazy...Dave !

Not using templates? ............. Well ........... that's just crazy...Dave !

:lol::lol::lol:

That's just funny right there :smile:

I make a template even for one-offs. Why would you not?

i prefer to let the endangered MDF trees grow wild and free. you template people are destroying the fragile ecosystem of the MDF forests.

i prefer to let the endangered MDF trees grow wild and free. you template people are destroying the fragile ecosystem of the MDF forests.

Well, one could always make use of the abundance of plywood trees. They're even grown in the US.

Gotta have templates. I've done 2 builds with just a paper outline and I prefer using the templates.


The thinline pickguard template that you have. Can you post a copy of the dwg or pdf?

Not using templates? ............. Well ........... that's just crazy...Dave !

I resemble that remark :lol:

As I only intended to make one Tele plus I already had a Tele to use as a kind of template - I built this using just a router, drills and a straight edge. I think it turned out OK

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y149/Billy_Porter/IMG_2650s.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y149/Billy_Porter/IMG_2584.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y149/Billy_Porter/IMG_2589.jpg

Well, one could always make use of the abundance of plywood trees.

Plywood from the Baltic Birch plywood trees make the best templates.

No. I don't use a router, so I can't imagine why they'd be useful.

Diff'rent strokes, diff'rent folks.

No. I don't use a router, so I can't imagine why they'd be useful.

Diff'rent strokes, diff'rent folks.

How do you tackle the pickup,control cavities and binding without a router?

Genuinely interested in alternative methods,since I don't (as yet) own a router.

I ALWAYS use templates, even for one offs.

How do you tackle the pickup,control cavities and binding without a router?

Genuinely interested in alternative methods,since I don't (as yet) own a router.

neck pocket could probably be rough cut with a table saw and then chiseled or filed. never tried it but it could work.

Originally Posted by Maricopa
I make a template even for one-offs. Why would you not?

Because you have individual templates for all the routs you are going to use and you are going to cut and sand the perimeter?

I've read this several times, but I still don't know what question it's asking. I make a template even on one-offs because it's easier...and cheaper if I #*$@ up or decide I don't like something about the shape. I have separate templates for necks, pickups etc. that can be used on a one-off if I want to.

i prefer to let the endangered MDF trees grow wild and free. you template people are destroying the fragile ecosystem of the MDF forests.

Fear not, I'm working closely with Bob Taylor on a sustainable MDF program. :wink:

How do you tackle the pickup,control cavities and binding without a router?

Genuinely interested in alternative methods,since I don't (as yet) own a router.

Chisels. It's how I learned woodworking, and I find I enjoy it more than routing. It's also plenty fast and accurate. I used to do binding channels with a chisel as well, though about six months ago I bowed to the inevitable and bought the StewMac binding attachment for the Dremel. It's not the idea of power tools that I dislike; it's just routers.

I do have to make compromises, though, given that most pickups were designed to be routed into place and therefore have radiused corners. I usually just drill holes at the corners, then chisel out the waste. For layout, I do have a crude MDF tele outline that I trace around; the rest is done with rulers and protractors.

I'll readily admit that, for most hobbyists, it's probably silly not to use a router if you're comfortable with one.

Originally Posted by Maricopa
I make a template even for one-offs. Why would you not?

Because you have individual templates for all the routs you are going to use and you are going to cut and sand the perimeter?

I've read this several times, but I still don't know what question it's asking. I make a template even on one-offs because it's easier...and cheaper if I #*$@ up or decide I don't like something about the shape. I have separate templates for necks, pickups etc. that can be used on a one-off if I want to.

i prefer to let the endangered MDF trees grow wild and free. you template people are destroying the fragile ecosystem of the MDF forests.

Fear not, I'm working closely with Bob Taylor on a sustainable MDF program. :wink:

Delete the question mark.... it was intended to be in inflection in my voice..LOL.

Chisels. It's how I learned woodworking, and I find I enjoy it more than routing. It's also plenty fast and accurate. I used to do binding channels with a chisel as well, though about six months ago I bowed to the inevitable and bought the StewMac binding attachment for the Dremel. It's not the idea of power tools that I dislike; it's just routers.

I do have to make compromises, though, given that most pickups were designed to be routed into place and therefore have radiused corners. I usually just drill holes at the corners, then chisel out the waste. For layout, I do have a crude MDF tele outline that I trace around; the rest is done with rulers and protractors.

I'll readily admit that, for most hobbyists, it's probably silly not to use a router if you're comfortable with one.

You might like a laminate trimmer for routing cavities....I used to have a Ryobi one that seemed to be of the low power variety. It feels much safer than a V8 powered router.

I seem to have more control with the router than my laminate trimmer. I think it has to do with the weight. Or maybe I have a loose screw in the trimmer too :grin:

Aww, some of you guys are just a bunch of MDF huggers. I say, mow 'em down and use 'em up. Sustainable, shustshainable.
As for Baltic Birch Plywood trees, the damn things grow metric, so I can't use 'em here in the US.
Around here the big orange box sells a lot of whitewood plywood, which, of course, comes from the [I]whitus blancoii family also yellawood, a totaly different species jaundicia flabbiusguyus.

We got a lot of OSB trees here in the South, grow like weeds, you see 'em everywhere. No good for guitar building, though. Or anything else, come to think of it!

Jeez, just realized there's not much guitar making wood around any more. Wonder if I can score some of that new premium priced beige ebony?

Always remember to write on the back side of your template, "LEFT HANDED GUITAR".

It can happen.

Chisels. It's how I learned woodworking, and I find I enjoy it more than routing. It's also plenty fast and accurate. I used to do binding channels with a chisel as well, though about six months ago I bowed to the inevitable and bought the StewMac binding attachment for the Dremel. It's not the idea of power tools that I dislike; it's just routers.

I do have to make compromises, though, given that most pickups were designed to be routed into place and therefore have radiused corners. I usually just drill holes at the corners, then chisel out the waste. For layout, I do have a crude MDF tele outline that I trace around; the rest is done with rulers and protractors.

I'll readily admit that, for most hobbyists, it's probably silly not to use a router if you're comfortable with one.

Excellent info Picton,thanks.

You give me hope on the possibility of me be able to do a scratch build sometime in the future. My background has been in working with metals,so I have no specific wood tools such as routers or planers.
A great heads up too on the stewmac Dremel attachment,because I do own a Dremel.

Excellent info Picton,thanks.

You give me hope on the possibility of me be able to do a scratch build sometime in the future. My background has been in working with metals,so I have no specific wood tools such as routers or planers.
A great heads up too on the stewmac Dremel attachment,because I do own a Dremel.

Theres one on ebay UK right now - if you have the correct Dremel as stated here (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Guitar-binding-router-guide-and-bit-/320919957608?pt=UK_Guitar_Accessories&hash=item4ab851f068#ht_500wt_997)

Theres one on ebay UK right now - if you have the correct Dremel as stated here (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Guitar-binding-router-guide-and-bit-/320919957608?pt=UK_Guitar_Accessories&hash=item4ab851f068#ht_500wt_997)

Ta,I'll keep an eye on that one.

I have started using a laminate router more than my full sized ones for the internal routs. Spiral bits are being added to my collection of bits and I may start using them more for neck pocket and outside routs, but I am interested in doing more with wood chisels. I have a complete set and good Japanese sharpening stones, just can't get a good level bottom and the perfect sides I get with the router.

I would love to watch Picton at work with the chisels. I have never actually seen them used for precision work. His binding channel was amazing, and done by hand.

I would love to watch Picton at work with the chisels. I have never actually seen them used for precision work. His binding channel was amazing, and done by hand.

Check out the 5th dvd down-the-page - Chisel Techniques for Precision Joinery (http://www.lie-nielsen.com/catalog.php?grp=1320)

Its enlightening. :-)

Always remember to write on the back side of your template, "LEFT HANDED GUITAR".

It can happen.

:oops::oops::oops::roll:

Always remember to write on the back side of your template, "LEFT HANDED GUITAR".

It can happen.


Indeed it does/did. :mrgreen:

I seem to have more control with the router than my laminate trimmer. I think it has to do with the weight. ...
IMHO, the best thing you can do for your laminate trimmer is to either make or buy one of the larger bases for it. The larger footprint adds stability and the ones that accept template and inlay bushings are very handy.