Replies

1. 
   _mj_ | Apr 08, 2021 10:02am | #1

   As long as the bit bearing is well in contact it should be plenty thick. If you are using a rub collar (like the porter cable style) make sure the collar is shorter than the template is thick. I've cut down most of mine over time.

1. 
   esch5995 | Apr 08, 2021 11:33am | #2

   As MJ has stated the answer lies in the bits you use and the cut you are trying to make. I generally use thicker templates because most of my top bearing bits are designed to cut deeper than a quarter inch so they won't work with 1/4" templates many times. Think of it like this, if you want to cut a 1/2" deep groove and your top bearing bit has a 3/4" cutting edge you pilot bearing would be above the template and useless. In another scenario if you want to trim a 3/4" thick work piece to a profile defined by the template and used a 1" cutting edge top bearing bit it would work as long as you can make the cut in a single pass, probably necessitating rough trimming the work piece by some other method.

   I would plan on using very short guide bushings and appropriate up spiral bits if it was me or thicker template material the chance of mishaps is greatly reduced.

2. 
   user7596380 | Apr 08, 2021 02:40pm | #3

   "What we have here is a failure to communicate" -Strother Martin in Cool Hand Luke. What are you planning on using for guide bushings; Porter Cable style held in the router's sub-base, or a guide bearing on the bit? If the later, where is it mounted; at which end of the bit's cutting surface - shank or tip end? Are you planning on hand holding the router, or putting it in a router table? Answer these questions first and then an answer should appear more obvious to you.

3. 
   user-6851987 | Apr 08, 2021 03:31pm | #4

   Thanks to everyone for their info! I appreciate it.

4. 
   hoovermd | Apr 08, 2021 11:21pm | #5

   I am a fan of 3/8" Baltic Birch for templates.
   Most of my bushings and bearings are 1/4" so I find this works well.
   Sometimes I make a template of 3/16" hardboard and then use that to make the 3/8" template.
   1/4" templates are kinda single use, but the 3/8" can make multiple parts.

5. 
   rob_ss | Apr 09, 2021 06:08am | #6

   Nothing in and of itself wrong with the 1/4 inch, though would use baltic birch at that thickness rather than MDF.

   As esch said, you do sometimes need a thicker one.

   One thing to watch with thin templates - they can flex if they are long in comparison with their width and this can be enough to throw you off significantly. I recently made a set of nesting curved pieces for a queen sized bed head. I had a total nightmare until I realised the failure to fit was due to template (9mm mdf) flexing. In the end I screwed the template onto 19mm material and copied the template. The thicker stuff worked a charm.

6. 
   user-6851987 | Apr 09, 2021 07:36am | #7

   That sir, is the most useful tip or recommendation I have received. It makes practical sense. Actually, I was thinking about doubling the1/4” mdf. The pattern is kinda hard to make out of thicker material, that’s why I was using Mdf. Anyway, I do thank you for your kind and useful information.

1. 
   rob_ss | Apr 09, 2021 09:08pm | #8

   You say the nicest things! - Use lots of screws.