Replies

1. 
   flairwoodworks | Jul 20, 2008 05:07am | #1

   John,

   I use whatever suitable material I have on hand for templates.  For simple tracing, I usually use 1/8" plywood.  For template routing, 1/4" MDF usually gets the call.  I do have lots of overhead storage in my basement between joists, but I haven't accumulated enough templates for them to be a problem.  Most of the times, I just draw the line onto one piece, cut it out on the bandsaw, smooth it, then trace the profile onto the rest of the parts.  Almost everything I make is one-offs.  I don't usually go back months or years later to re-make something.

   Chris @ www.flairwoodwork.spaces.live.com

    - Success is not the key to happines.  Happiness is the key to success.  If you love what you are doing, you will be successful. - Albert Schweitzer

2. 
   pzaxtl | Jul 20, 2008 05:40am | #2

   I use 1/4" acrylic and 1/4" hardboard for templates which I usually hang from a nail.  Almost all of my templates are for guitar bodies and can be used with either a top or bottom bearing bit for the general outline work.  For routing pickup cativities and neck pockets the template has to mounted on top of the work with a top bearing bit in the router.

1. 
   flairwoodworks | Jul 21, 2008 12:21am | #3

   Pmichael,

   Do you build acoustics as well or just electrics?Chris @ http://www.flairwoodwork.spaces.live.com

    - Success is not the key to happines.  Happiness is the key to success.  If you love what you are doing, you will be successful. - Albert Schweitzer

1. 
   pzaxtl | Jul 21, 2008 04:54am | #4

   Hey Chris,

   Lately, electric -- I'm planning to build a couple acoustics this year -- time and wife permitting.  Ordinarily, I'd only build one acoustic at a time, but since my son plays as well, he has the idea that if I build one for myself then I should build one for him also.  So far, he's counting on me building him a Les Paul clone and a Strat (in addition to the other two I've already built for him).  When he finds out that I'm building an amp, I'm sure he's also gonna want one of those also.  Not gonna happen, though,  he's 15 and doesn't have a clue that money and guitars are not free.  I think it's time he learns.

1. 
   flairwoodworks | Jul 22, 2008 03:27am | #5

   Pmichael,

   Though I am not a luthier, I understand completely.  My 17-year old brother and I have been toying with the idea of building a couple guitars for a year or so now.  He's made patterns and a couple guitar bodies but stopped short of installing any hardware.  He seems to think that he can save a lot of money by building the guitar.  So far, patience and perseverence (and $$$) have prevented him from having success.

   Do you build any of the guitar hardware yourself?  How about the fingerboard?Chris @ http://www.flairwoodwork.spaces.live.com

    - Success is not the key to happines.  Happiness is the key to success.  If you love what you are doing, you will be successful. - Albert Schweitzer

1. 
   pzaxtl | Jul 22, 2008 05:02am | #6

   Chris,

   Yeah, the first few attempts building your own are more of a learning experience than a quality build.  While it can be cheaper to build than to buy -- it does take longer :-)  I remember well my first build: I created the template from a set of drawn plans that were included in a book I bought.  In my haste, I completed the body -- everything but the finish -- before I discovered that the plans were based on a 24.75" scale length and I built it for a 25.5" scale length.  I kept it as a reminder to take my time...

   Making the neck is the most tedious part of the build and I have more or less stopped making my own necks if the guitar is a bolt-on Fender style guitar.  You can buy a finished neck for bolt-on and neck-thru guitars, but if you're building a set-neck style body then you're pretty much going to have to build the neck too.  It's not that it's tremendously difficult but it can be rather tedious.  For bolt-on necks, I usually grab one from Warmoth or USACG -- both produce a quality product.  Even with buying the neck, electronics and hardware you're still getting a better guitar for under $1k than many others you can buy for twice that.

   Edited 7/21/2008 10:06 pm ET by pzaxtl

3. 
   bricofleur | Jul 30, 2008 10:00pm | #7

   Hi,

   I use phenolic cutting boards and they hang on a nail over my work area. Most of them have been used first in the kitchen (not the reverse). I don't mind the few scratches... but she does !!!  When needed, I take a new one (I can afford that !)

   I think they will survive me.

   Best,

   Serge

   - Learn from yesterday, work today, and enjoy success tomorrow -

   http://www.atelierdubricoleur.org

   
1. 
   BioHaz1906 | Jul 30, 2008 10:03pm | #8

   Very neat idea to take old cutting boards and use them as templates.

   Bio

1. 
   bricofleur | Jul 30, 2008 10:09pm | #9

   Better, these come from the Dollar Store ! I also buy larger ones when on liquidation sales.

   Best,

   Serge- Learn from yesterday, work today, and enjoy success tomorrow -

   http://www.atelierdubricoleur.org

1. 
   BioHaz1906 | Jul 31, 2008 05:51am | #10

   I'm going to try that.

2. 
   chaim | Jul 31, 2008 11:31pm | #11

   Thats a realy inventive idea, and i can see them being easy to store.

   What do you do when you have odd shapes and sizes? do you (can you) use them like a french curve?

   Chaim 

1. 
   bricofleur | Jul 31, 2008 11:55pm | #12

   These are the only patterns I made/used up to now. When needed, I will definitively shape them as I want, probably on the band saw.

   The next profile I will create will be an oval to make "dutchmans" to cover unwanted knots on No.1 & No.2 commun wood.

   Since I own a set of 20 brass bushings, from 1/4" to 1-1/2", these patterns can be enlarged or decreased in a huge variety of sizes.

   Best,

   Serge- Learn from yesterday, work today, and enjoy success tomorrow -

   http://www.atelierdubricoleur.org