Hello Gary,
What would be the best wood to use for template? I read an article that advised to use two materials, one being 1/8″ thick Masonite for one offs and 1/4″ thick for production.
Is masonite a brown hard material that is in Home Depot?
Does one off mean that the template is used for one time only?
Is both materials available in Home Improvements Centers like Home Depot?
Does the materials come in different sizes or am I limited to specific size? What is the right thickness to use for templates?
What is right choice of wood for one time templates and which one is for all the time?
Thank you.
Replies
It is a curiosity of modern woodworking literature that everything including the thickness of template material gets parsed to within an inch of its life. The missing disclaimer in all postings is that you will always need to decide for yourself if a certain material, tool, or technique work for you in your shop setting. You're the boss. So keep it simple for yourself.
That being said, here's what I do in my shop. I only use 1/4" material because it's easier to run a bearing against. This is for one-off or one time only use or continuing use. It's just simpler to run against a thicker material. But when you go to 1/2" template material then you start to lose some of your effective cutter length. Stick with 1/4".
Masonite is a pressboard material dark brown in color and with a smooth face on one or both sides. I used to use it but then I realized it was too darn hard to see my pencil marks on it. It still works great, but I use another material now.
I now use only 1/4" MDF, medium density fiberboard. It cuts easy in all directions, it's easy to see your marks on, and I can shape it with my spokeshave quite easily. I would avoid plywood as it's harder to shape easily. Just be careful with your templates not to drop them or let them get wet and they will last you a good long while. Have fun.
Gary
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