How to make Templates Easy
- Thread starter Groovy2
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highdesertranger
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groovy thanks that was cool. the guy explains it well. a couple of tips. use a fine point sharpie makes a much better line. also if you can find it, the hardboard cardboard(the stiff single wall stuff) works better than the corrugated, you get a much sharper edge on your cut makes a more precise pattern. in fact I use scrap 1/8 plywood paneling if I have it. highdesertranger
karl
Well-known member
Ramboard makes a good template material
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Ram-Boar...rary-Floor-Protection-Roll-RB-38x50/202823781
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Ram-Boar...rary-Floor-Protection-Roll-RB-38x50/202823781
DannyB1954
Well-known member
Groovy2 said:
another method that I learned from having a boat is called a witness stick.
I couldn't find it on Youtube or the internet, so I will do my best to describe it.
You take a paint stirrer and cut off the end at a sharp angle so that it comes to a point at one side. then down one side of the stick you cut v notches about every 3" and lable them a,b,c, etc.
To use, you place your cardboard or whatever you are using to draw on in the same plane as the contour you are trying to copy, (like on the video). Put the point of the stick onto the starting point and take a pencil or pen and mark inside of one, (or more), of the V's that you made and put the ID of the v on the paper so you know which one you used, (if you traced the V marked "a" , put an "a" inside of the drawn V mark). you can also draw down the smooth side of the stick to make it more accurate.
Move the point of the stick to the next point you want to mark and do the same. Do this a number of times.
Now take the paper and put it on the wood or whatever you wish to cut and tape it so that it will not move. Now take and put the stick on the paper and place it so that it aligns with the notch letter and smooth line side, ( if you see a V marked b put the b notch on the paper so that it aligns with the b mark that is drawn).
Take the pencil and trace around the point of the stick. Do that for every V that is on the paper.
Now connect the tip lines that you have drawn and it will be the exact contour that you were looking for.
It sounds a lot harder than it is.
I second the witness stick it's a tool used by boat builders. The big advantage is you don't have to keep it level and can make a very accurate template. I used this method to add a couple of bulkheads and deck to my boat for storage and floatation. The witness stick I used was a long narrow triangle about two feet in length made out of scrap door skin.
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