Give them a try

7124 Views 27 Replies 11 Participants Last post by template tom, Jan 9, 2007

template tom

Discussion Starter · Nov 23, 2004 (Edited)

If I were new to routing and just purchased a router and logged on to this forum I would see that if I did not put it under a table I would be doing the wrong thing, as all the posts are centered round the router table. Even Rob and Rick make the statement that 90% of router projects can only be achieved with the router table.
I have been using template guides for years and I was surprised at what could be achieved with them (with greater Safety) and unfortunately people are not even willing to give them a try.
I have submitted a few suggestions on how to solve a number problems that have been submitted but I am not sure if they have been acted upon as there has been no replies saying that it was tried.
All I ask is give the template guides a go you will be amazed at the results you will be able to achieve. I am willing to assist if you have any problems with them.
Tom

1 - 20 of 28 Posts

BobandRick

· #2 · Nov 23, 2004

template tom said:
If I were new to routing and just purchased a router and logged on to this forum I would see that if I did not put it under a table I would be doing the wrong thing, as all the posts are centered round the router table. Even Rob and Rick make the statement that 90% of router projects can only be achieved with the router table.
I have been using template guides for years and I was surprised at what could be achieved with them (with greater Safety) and unfortunately people are not even willing to give them a try.
I have submitted a few suggestions on how to solve a number problems that have been submitted but I am not sure if they have been acted upon as there has been no replies saying that it was tried.
All I ask is give the template guides a go you will be amazed at the results you will be able to achieve. I am willing to assist if you have any problems with them.
Tom

Sounds like a plan, Tom and I am looking for some help? Would you be interested in setting up and posting some activities that teach your methods. Lets start with the "Basics to Template Guides" with some simple projects to support your information.
Think this is possible?
Tom,

Bob N

· #3 · Nov 23, 2004

I too would love to see more on this technique. Please keep us posted if this comes about.

Bob N.

template tom

Discussion Starter · #4 · Nov 24, 2004 (Edited)

BobandRick said:
Sounds like a plan, Tom and I am looking for some help? Would you be interested in setting up and posting some activities that teach your methods. Lets start with the "Basics to Template Guides" with some simple projects to support your information.
Think this is possible?
Tom,

What about a simple picture frame from solid timber for a start as this will involve a number of pocesses to complete the project?

or maybe someone has an alternative project we can start from.

Let's say the frame is to take a 7" x 5" photograph 180mm x 130mm (approx) I prefer working in metric since our conversion here in Australia in 1968.

1. What cutters will be required?
2. How is the material to be held?
3. How will the cutters be controlled?
4. What other tools will be required?
5. What are the stages of producing the frame?
6. I think this should have been the first considerationCan it be done with Safety ?
7. Will it involve purchasing new Cutters?

One of the problems will be how much can I post at one time as I will require some space. The answer might be sending those who are interested an email with all the details.
Let me know your thoughts then I can get started. It is also of great help to me if there is some feed back on the method. You can be upfront and tell me it is a waste of time or the information was useful.
I'll await your posts
Tom

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scrollwolf

· #5 · Nov 24, 2004

I would be interested in learning more on this technique too!

Thanks,
scrollwolf

Bob N

· #6 · Nov 25, 2004

Tom,

I like the email idea as it would allow you to compose over a longer length of time and not be pushed to get it on the forum. You could also copy and paste your writings here and possibly the forum moderators could set up a section under "Tips" so the posts won't get lost over time in a running thread.

Many thanks for offering to share with us.

My email is available in my user set up. Please feel free to shoot your in thoughts my direction. I am very interested to learn all I can.

Bob N.

Dewy

· #7 · Nov 25, 2004

I must be one of the few who are unable to see the series so have always used my router according to whichever way I find best for the job in hand.
My router seldom goes in my table unless the job demands it.
Most work is done using the side fence, bearing guided or using a guide bush with a template.
Less than 10% is done with the table although I would never attempt to raise door panels freehand.

ejant

· #8 · Nov 25, 2004

Agood project to start with is the Butterfly House plan number 9o3.

It involves template work, table work and planning to build the template plus othe woodworking operations.

Plus you end us with a handsome piece of work when finished.

template tom

Discussion Starter · #9 · Nov 25, 2004

ejant said:
Agood project to start with is the Butterfly House plan number 9o3.

It involves template work, table work and planning to build the template plus othe woodworking operations.

Plus you end us with a handsome piece of work when finished.

Ejant
Thanks for your reply but you will have to fill me in with your suggestion Butterfly House plan number 903???? What is it???? Can you please post some pics????

Any other ideas router users????
Tom

FordPrefect

· #10 · Nov 25, 2004 (Edited)

I like this idea too. However, I would suggest that the posts be kept in the forum to facilitate new members and searching. To have great information tucked away in a few people's inbox is not fair to people who miss this thread... What about composing the post in Word (or PDF, I know of a freeware PDF tool that is installed and used like a printer) and posting a summary thread with the Word/PDF document as an attachment.

If you would like help converting it to a PDF I would accept the email/Word form and "print it" for you and send it back to be posted.

I have used templates occasionally, and I enjoy the ease with which they can do certain things. I recently purchased the Lee Valley 1 3/4" template guides. I know those are not as large as TemplateTom has espoused in other threads, but they still do the trick

One more thing, a long, detailed, illustrated description of how Bob and Rick, and/or TemplateTom make the templates in the first place, including tips on lead in, lead out "runways", attaching clamps, calculating size/angles, etc. The templates they use sure make things go smooth on their show. The idea behind templates is simple enough, but any tricks and tips by the masters would be appreciated by this newbie.

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BobandRick

· #11 · Nov 25, 2004

template tom said:
What about a simple picture frame from solid timber for a start as this will involve a number of pocesses to complete the project?

or maybe someone has an alternative project we can start from.

Let's say the frame is to take a 7" x 5" photograph 180mm x 130mm (approx) I prefer working in metric since our conversion here in Australia in 1968.

1. What cutters will be required?
2. How is the material to be held?
3. How will the cutters be controlled?
4. What other tools will be required?
5. What are the stages of producing the frame?
6. I think this should have been the first considerationCan it be done with Safety ?
7. Will it involve purchasing new Cutters?

One of the problems will be how much can I post at one time as I will require some space. The answer might be sending those who are interested an email with all the details.
Let me know your thoughts then I can get started. It is also of great help to me if there is some feed back on the method. You can be upfront and tell me it is a waste of time or the information was useful.
I'll await your posts
Tom

You want me to be upfront and honest... this the exact reason I decided to set up routerforums.com. Let us all follow your lead, thanks for the interest Tom.

template tom

Discussion Starter · #12 · Nov 26, 2004 (Edited)

Hi all

They say a pic is worth a thousand words. I have included a number of drawing to get things started.
14.s Cutter This is the cutter to insert the internal face moulding of the frame. The template guide is 40mm. (Sorry for the metric but I only work with metric dimensions) This combination will determine the size of the cut-out in the template 15. s

10 s Jig to hold the material secure 400 x 300 x 12mm. material held with the aid of 'Shelf Supports' Jig is held in Jig Holder 400 x 300 x 40mm internal dimensions.

12 s Once the material is secure in the Jig Holder the template is added.

16 s and 17 s are the additional tools required 30mm Guide and 10mm straight cutter and 16mm guide and 10mm cutter.

Stages of procedure
5.s rout internal moulding
4.s Set up showing direction of cut
8a s Routing rebate for pic and glass
9s rebate for backing material (if required)

18s Edge treatment this of course will require a rouding over cutter wiyh bearing.

All the processes are carried out 100% in the plunge mode.
Post you comments and let me know what you think of the technique.

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Mike

· #13 · Nov 26, 2004

Thanks for the design Tom. One question; everything I have seen has taught me that external cuts are made clockwise, internal cuts are to be made counter clockwise. You show making the internal cut clockwise. Is there a special reason for this?

reible

· #14 · Nov 26, 2004

The feed direction looks correct to me. With the router above the work the inside cut would be clockwise, if the router were below (ie table mounted) then the cut would be cc.

Ed

BobandRick

· #15 · Nov 26, 2004

This looks great Tom.

Can you explain what determines the guide sizes to be used?

template tom

Discussion Starter · #16 · Nov 26, 2004

aniceone2hold said:
Thanks for the design Tom. One question; everything I have seen has taught me that external cuts are made clockwise, internal cuts are to be made counter clockwise. You show making the internal cut clockwise. Is there a special reason for this?

External cuts are made anti-clockwise with such cutters with bearings or using the side fence attachment and internal cuts are clockwise when using template guides

Mike

· #17 · Nov 27, 2004

Ok, Now that I am thinking "Above the table" its clear. Almost everything I have done is table mounted.

template tom

Discussion Starter · #18 · Nov 28, 2004

BobandRick said:
This looks great Tom.

Can you explain what determines the guide sizes to be used?

I will set to and produce a sketch easier than a wordy explaination.
Tom

template tom

Discussion Starter · #19 · Nov 28, 2004

aniceone2hold said:
Ok, Now that I am thinking "Above the table" its clear. Almost everything I have done is table mounted.

I would be interested in your reply if you should GIVE IT A TRY
Tom

template tom

Discussion Starter · #20 · Dec 21, 2004

template tom said:
I would be interested in your reply if you should GIVE IT A TRY
Tom

Did anyone try the method and make the simple box to hold the material and the jig with the template also inserted. I would be interested if there was
Tom

1 - 20 of 28 Posts

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