[template tom]

Enclosed is a PDF file I have written on the introduction to Template guides that I had promised a number of router users. I hope it will change the minds of those who have never used the guides before and at least give them a try. You have seen what I have done with my postings on the projects completed. Just a reminder if you do think it too difficult to use consider I teach the blind to use this method. I construct all the Jigs and Templates of course.

Let me know what you think of the method

Tom

 

[template tom]

Working with Template Guides

Well done Tom. And thanks for all the effort and sharing it.

I would be more than interested if you would let me know the results of using the method whenever you use the introduction to the use of the guides . There are a great number of projects that can be achieved using this method.
To keep up with technology I have working on a new design of producing a method of holding the material etc therefore replacing the Jig Holder
Tom

 

[template tom]

It has been a few months now since I submitted the 'Introduction to the Use of Template Guides' and I was interested if anyone had any comments on the use of the guides and maybe there could be some postings and photographs of projects completed with the use of the guides.

In a couple of weeks I will be giving some demonstrations at our local wood show here in Perth Western Australia.I have been working on new techniques on how to use the guides to produce some facinating joints for a table construction for example consider a mitre joint with a tenon added or a sliding dovetail. Both methods of production will be shown for the first time.

I have also overcome the problem of inseting three legs to a centre column fo a wine table The problem in the past has been clamping it together especially if a Mortice and Tenon joint or a dowelling joint is used. I have introduced a sliding dovetail.

I have also looked at the possibility of using the router in the 'Plunge' mode to complete some of the tasks that were required to be completed in the router table rounding over the edges of the legs for the three legged table as an example. I must stress that it has to be done with safety and in this instance I consider it much safer than using the router table. It is also more convenient as I do not have to insert the router under the table(If I only had one router).

To produce all the jigs and template I first design them on the computer then off to my workshop to make the necessary jigs and templates from material that is readily available in the local wood suppliers.

We have underestimated the potential of the Guides for years (that also includes myself in this statement) but since I have found the advantages of the guides I usually ask myself 'To complete this part of the project can I use the guide?' If I find it is safer then I will spend that extra time in the preparation of the jig or template.

I have also advocated the use of the 40mm Guide (1-37/64ths) for a great number of reasons. I must also say I would have great difficulty in some of the calculations if I were using the imperial measurement therefore all my calculations are in metric. I am also aware of the sizes of some cutters that are supplied are simply the imperial size with the metric equivalent and that sometimes makes things difficult but there are more and more metric cutters becoming available each year.

Most people I talk to and from what I see in the postings will use a straight cutter with the guide mainly to reproduce the same article over and over again slightly larger. (That is what I also used to do) Since I have found there is more to the use of the guides it has brought a greater deal of interest to my routing. I also find I have great satisfaction in the completion of the necessary Jigs.

My apology for the long winded posting I only meant to ask if there was anyone willing to share their experience with the use of the guides. I have submitted a number of projects and 'how to do' in the past to this forum.

Tom

 

[template tom]

Tom, I am actively trying to get the tool manufacturers to import or manufacture the 40 MM guide bushing for the US/Canada. I am not having any success so far, perhaps it is time for a company that really listens to woodworkers?

That is great news Mike that you are prepared to do this.I hope you have success, if you need any help give them my Email address and I will certainly converse with them.

Your problem is not local. I was asked to complete some demonstrations at our local wood show next week. Here is me thinking at 73 now is the time to retire but I have accepted the invitation to demonstrate the new router produced by Hitachi. It is a great machine to use, and next week I will be showing the people of Western Australia the advantages of the Template Guides with the router.

I am aware of the many projects that can be completed with the router in the table but my weekend will be to show 'How to get more from your router' with the aid of template guides. and never once over the weekend will I have a router in the router table. I will be producing tables and wine racks for example.

Though I have produced a couple of CD-ROMs, one on the introduction to template guides and the second a collection of projects produced with the aid of the guides. Never once was the router table used.

This method is much SAFER and as you are well aware Blind people were using the method last year in my woodworking group.

I have tried and without success over the internet to convince people to use the guides, those who have seen my demonstrations agree that the use of the guides is by far safer than the table and are willing to try to use them.

I will pick up my $1000.00 video camera tomorrow and hopefully I will produce some DVDs illustrating the method I have been using for years. Suitable for those who are not into computing and are willing to view the method on their TV. But regretable this will not solve the problem as there are a great number of detailed drawings required to suppliment the visual output that I have produced on my CD-ROMs.

Mike please keep trying as I am sure router users will achieve greater projects and satisfaction with the use of the Guides.

Router manufacturers are unaware of the advantages of the template guides.
Hitachi Australia sold very few Guides in the years 2004 and 2005.

If it is the last thing I do on this earth I will introduce safety with the router with the aid of Template Guides
Tom

 

[template tom]

What router can a 40mm bushing be used ? If 1 inch equals 25.4 mm, them I have no router that can use it, without making a custom base. a 7/8X1 is as big as I need!
Thanx Tom for the info on guide bushings and templates.
Bud

Trap
I use the Makita or Hitachi router.

what you're saying is that you're router base has an aperture of less than 25mm. This will restrict you to the size of cutters you can use.

Trap. You are very welcome to the copy of my explanation on how to use the guides.
I will be posting details how I produced the templates and Jigs to achieve what was required to produce the carving.
Keep in touch
Tom

 

[template tom]

Tom,

I am very interested in learning more uses for template guides and greatly appreciate your input on this forum. I never owned a template guide until I got a router kit that came with a set of steel guides(have replaced them with brass). Right away I built a shelf pin jig which is simply a piece of 1/2" plywood with evenly spaced 1/2" holes to accept 1/2" a guide. I then plunge in the bit to the preset depth. I also built Bj's dado jig which uses a 1" guide riding thru a 1" slot, creating a dado with any bit that fits thru the guide.

Now for my question. When I need to make odd shaped, or duplicate pieces. I first make a pattern of 1/4" MDF using my scrollsaw and spindle sander then trace it on the workpiece. Then I cut the workpiece close to the line with the scrollsaw, bandsaw, or jigsaw. I then use a flush trim, or pattern bit with the bearing riding against the attached template to make the final cut. Would there be an advantage to making a smaller pattern and using a template guide?

Also since seeing is better then reading. I am anxiously awaiting the release of your DVD. Please let us know as soon as it is available.

Rusty
I would suggest a 9 - 12mm Thickness for your templates.
There would be a great advantage in making smaller template and using a straight cutter working in stages. You will end up with a better edge. (subject to you using a router support)
I certainly will let you know when I have completed my DVD in the meantime if I can assist you with any problem please let me know I have no objections to you emailing me as I may not be visiting the forum frequently.
Tom

 

[template tom]

I'm answering on behalf of Tom who is having problems accessing the forum at the moment. He is having big problems with video editing the material for the DVD's, ideally what he needs is someone reading this who lives in or around Perth Western Australia who would like to trade his/her video experience for routing tuition. I'm sure that Tom won't mind me posting this.

Thanks Harry
I still have not been able to access the forum easily as it has taken me at least half an hour to get to this stage my apologies to all in the meantime I will be prepared to answer any questions if you send me an email.
As harry said I have been trying to convert all the material i have produced on CD-ROMs on to DVDs I must confess not an easy task by all means.
Harry check your mail box for a collection of items I am working on it is by no means the final product and I am sure you will give me your honest opinion of what I have done (You always do and I am grateful to you for voicing your opinion)
I hope I will have the forum problem solved

 

[template tom]

Hi All
It is thanks to Harry's direction when we were speaking on Skype this afternoon I am able to make postings and submit and view pics again, so hopefully I have solved the problem.
it may take me a little while to go through all the posting to see if I can add to the questions put forward.
I have been making steady progress with my Dining room chairs and I am at the final stages of construction.
Hopefully I will have a few pics of the various stages of construction.

 

[template tom]

As we can see by the number of visits to this posting there was a great interest in the use of the template guides. I wonder if any of the members have actually made any projects to date and maybe they could post a few comments on what they thought of the method.
I have been giving some thought to a topic on Jig making. Say post a pic of an object or a process, then posting the actual jig constructed to produce the matter. I am not suggesting posting a bought jig but a jig made in your workshop to produce the item.

I am quite willing to start the ball rolling so to speak with a jig I made to produce the cabinet handle illustrated below as an example. What do others think of the idea. I do not want to be seen as the only one submitting the projects and the jigs to make them.

It does not necessarilly have to be a completed project, say making a special joint or something like that would do. I have in the past posted some of my jigs to produce certain processes such as the Ski mode which has been developed by others.

Recently I have been spending some time storing my jigs and templates ready for easy access when I require them. Lately I have seached for jigs and templates that I developed some 15 years ago, now required in the making of my next collection of chairs. I also had to introduce some new jigs when I came to add the arm rests to the chairs to change them to carvers. I am sure I have posted pics of the chairs which are available in my Gallery but I have not posted any jigs or templates.

 

[template tom]

Samples of projects

Here are a few samples of projects which I consider can not be produced on the router table. With a few templates and Jigs they can be routered in the plunge mode.
Are there any router users on the forum actually using the template guides maybe they would like to put up their pics of the completed project.
Tom

 

[template tom]

Working with Template Guides

Well this one topic I can comment on even though Harry has explained it all very clearly. I have one concern. Bobj3 has posted a chart ( I am not sure if this is the same chart that Ed. first posted some years ago) The reason for the chart is to see at a glance the off-set with a varety of cutters. It is quite clear to me that the cutter described is a straight cutter. and that is fine if that is all you want to do. I must say I have never had a need to use the chart as the majority of cutters I am using are anything but straight (Samples enclosed) So I have to do some calculation whether it be on my computer or simply a mathematical calculationIt was a sad day that Ed decided to call it a day as he had a lot to offer this forum.

I think I should have come in earler to make this point. As you can see from the variety of cutters posted exactly what I am referring to. It is not easy to present the answers on a forum posting, that is why I have been working madly to produce the answers on DVDs. I still have a long way to go and I have decided not to give up the challenge.
Sent off today some more cash for another two computer programs which will assist in the presentations I intend completing in the near future. This is only a small section taken from My CD=ROMs and future DVDs

Yom

 

[template tom]

Routing with template guides

My apology I did not submit a collection of cutters

 

[template tom]

DVD on The use of the template guides

As you are all well aware the reason why I have not been submitting postings on the forum due to the time I have spent producing my material in a DVD format. I have also completed the woodwork section of my diningroom chairs completing the polishing this week. Today I purchased the foam padding and the cover material so it will be all go to have them completed for Christmas. Look out for the final product soon. (That was Ann's bit added as she brings out the whip)

There has not been any topics posted where I could offer assistance and Harry has it well in hand. I am pleased to see that at least some are recognizing the benefits of the guides, it has taken some time as it was way back in 2004 that I made my first attempt to introduce forum members to use the template guides. I have recieved a great deal of encouragement to continue especially when Mike continues making an effort to try and introduce the 40mm guide. Today I produced "Introduction to the use of the template guides" in DVD format 816mb certainly too large to send. It runs for 17minutes.

I would be unable to re-write all my material in imperial, I did give it a go converting a few of my drawings but not only was I getting confused with the numbers that came up after the conversions I am sure if I had posted them on the forum they would have been thrown in the bin. I still say it is easier for the users to change the metric sizes to near enough imperial sizes. That is what I have to do when I purchase an American magazine only in reverse. Though there is very little material written explaining the template guide method fully both in Imperial and Metric.

I spent yesterday in one of our local High School with five Design and Technology teachers showing how the system works and introducing safe processes that can be used by the students. Working with the aid of template guides is all about safety with the router.

I hope to have details of the other DVDs very soon and I will keep you informed

Tom

 

[template tom]

Routing with the aid of template guides

This 'Sticky' has been up for some time and I often wonder if it has been downloaded and more importantly the information used.
Tom

 

[template tom]

new here, hello everyone


i have oval and heart shaped peices of marble from an etching company, need to make a jig for the marble to insert into the oak frame, been a woodworker for 25 years and this ones tricky, the easyest way i can come up with is the 1/4 bit with the bushing following the template?

am i on the right track?

thanks

That will leave a 'sloppy' insert You need to rout an intermediate template in MDF then rout the template required
If you rout a template with a 16mm template guide and a 4mm cutter then you can rout the shape you require into the oak frame with a 30mm guide and 10mm cutter. Don't ask me to do the calculations in imperial as it is some 40+ years since we went metric.
Tom

 

[template tom]

As from today Tuesday 14th April I do not have my old email address and my PM can no longer be addressed to Template Tom as I am unable to access them so if you wish to contact me use the PM for Doak. I also have a new email address as from today if you wish to email me

Tom
Template Tom

Not much of a computer buff as I took my new '3' mobile broad band and set it on the old computer and presto I was able to post
Learn new things every day
Tom