Thread: Routing with the aid of template guides

My Thanks to all who took the time to post to this thread. I would like to comment on each so I have listed them as a single posting for easier reading.




Excellent Tom, This was one of the templates that I wanted to do but never got the idea off the ground.
I would very much like to know how this particular template is made so any info. would be most appreciated.
Thanks, Terryvk6pq

Terry if you would like to email me I will forward more of the details of the template you will require to make. I also have the full size drawings available by post as when transmitted by email they loose the actual size of the template. Details added at end of posting.

If you look at those clocks made by Tom (Nice clocks, BTW) you can change the routed profile using ordinary everyday bits without needing to buy a specialised cloning bit for each different profile.

However (there's always a however) as the bearing on a cloning bit has a smaller diameter than the template guide, a cloning bit can be used to follow more intricate templates and give tighter curves.

'Cloning Bit' This is the first time I have seen this terminology used and I have been round router cutters for a number of years. I did purchase a specialised bit for this job. Details posted at the end of thread.
Note: this project was first published in a routing magazine where the shape was cut with a forstner bit then the moulding added with a rounding over cutter with a bearing.
I was unable to follow what was intended here and as I am willing to learn new techniques I would appreciate any followup material especially if a photo could be added

With the router template guide set I purchased from Carba-Tec, there is a wide selection of template guide sizes. I always use the guide closest in size to the bit I intend using.

From this posting I can only assume that a straight cutter is being used for your routing projects. Though I would use a great number of straight cutters with the template guides I also use a number of 'Face/Edge cutters (See below

This may, or may not, be relevant to the enquiry. When faced with an awkward shape as an objective, I usually draw the shape in CAD, assemble the shape into a "polyline," and use the offset command to create the template shape. The offset is the difference between the radius of the guide bushing and the radius of a reference surface of the router bit.

This is very relevant to using the template guide technique and like you I do use the method you have outlined. I must point out when I began using this method I was not a user of the computer and the drawing programs that are available today. I would draw the full size shape then I would add the 'Off-set" to make my template. The 'Wheels' mentioned on another post are a great way to produce this "Off-set" subject to the the size of 'Offset' being available

By template guide are you talking about that round collar that came with my router? I have had people tell me what it's for but I always wonder why I would use it instead of a cloning bit?

Yes they are what I was referring to. If it is any consolation to you, 90% of router users do not use the guides.

1. Calculating the extra gutter that you need to add to your physical template (usually MDF) could be difficult for some people. BUT the really hard part is actually adding this "gutter" or offset to a carefully drawn template is particularly tricky without using drawing instruments. None of the woodworking mags have ever given me any assistance with this.

The calculations required are a learning process start with someting simple to produce a template. You are also correct when you comment on woodworking magazines unable to assist you with the problem. I am self taught on the use of the template guides.

have you seen these before?

Thanks Ian. I am going to get me a set of those darn wheels. As previously mentioned above, you have to check that you don't have any sharp turns on your chubby teddy bear

I sure need some training wheels.....but I was thinking that it should be possible to actually make some wooden ones on my sanding wheel.

It certainly would solve the problem of 'Off-Set' for a number of projects. (limited to the number of wheels available). One of the problems is making the wheel to the 'Offset' required you may require a greater number than what is listed.

Occasionally I've found that one template just won't do the job.

But there's nothing to stop you from using multiple templates - maybe with each one for a different sized router bit or router collar (or perhaps not) - so long as you establish some sort of system to ensure each one is lined up accurately to the work when you change them.

If I am not correct I think you may be talking about Templates and not template Guides

So if there is anyone interested in producing the twelve sided clock (detailed below,) with the use of the guides please email me and I will forward instructions to get you started.

I will still stand by the offer I made in the first posting as there would be insufficient space on the forum for the explaination and details of construction. If you are interested email me I must say at this stage you will require to have access to a 40mm guide and an extending rounding over cutter. You will also require to have a Jig Holder (details below) 300mm square x 40mm deep before you begin to make the project.

I first began making the clocks using three templates and lately I have combined them into one.

Tom

Tom is promoting the use of Template Guide Bushes. I like using them as well.

But Guide Bushes for my Hitachi M12V are quite expensive and I could not even get any Guide Bushes for my GMC R2050 2400W router.

So I bought the Triton TGA001 Template Guide Kit as it was the only kit I found in Bunnings - got it at half price $22.50 only.
All the 7 Guide Bushes from the kit fit my Hitachi M12V perfectly. They are all imperial (non-metric) Guide Bushes which were what I wanted.

I then drilled 8 holes on the spare Guide Plate provided and make my GMC R2050 router compatible to the Titon & Hitachi Guide Bushes.


For Forum Readers
If you have a Hitachi M12V, TR12 or a Ryobi get the Triton TGA001 if you need imperial sizes Tempate Guide Bushes.

If you have other routers with 7" base you might be able to adapt the Guide Plate from the TGA001 Kit for your router as well.

Originally Posted by reuelt

Tom is promoting the use of Template Guide Bushes. I like using them as well.

But Guide Bushes for my Hitachi M12V are quite expensive and I could not even get any Guide Bushes for my GMC R2050 2400W router.

So I bought the Triton TGA001 Template Guide Kit as it was the only kit I found in Bunnings - got it at half price $22.50 only.
All the 7 Guide Bushes from the kit fit my Hitachi M12V perfectly. They are all imperial (non-metric) Guide Bushes which were what I wanted.

That was a good buy I must remember that when others ask me even though they are in imperial sizes they can still be measured and use as if they were Metric only problem is 'What is the largest size of Guide???' I still say we need to have a large enough guide to allow the chuck of the router to pass through when using short cutters. Now we have a set what do we make with them I would be interested in the projects you achieve with the use of the guides. No doubt you are aware of some of the material I produce as i have submitted a number on the forum.

I then drilled 8 holes on the spare Guide Plate provided and make my GMC R2050 router compatible to the Titon & Hitachi Guide Bushes.


For Forum Readers
If you have a Hitachi M12V, TR12 or a Ryobi get the Triton TGA001 if you need imperial sizes Tempate Guide Bushes.

If you have other routers with 7" base you might be able to adapt the Guide Plate from the TGA001 Kit for your router as well.

Thanks for the information.
One of the problems with the triton guides they are all different in length and if they were to be used as they are some template would require to be thicker than others.
Tom

Thanks TOM,

Forgot to mention that the side benefits are all my routers are now also compatible with Trent Guide Bush range also, and with the Porta Cable adaptor also provided by the TGA001, compatible with the Porta Cable Brass Guide Bushes as well.

A question for Tom
Why not standardise on a 50mm OD Guide Bush instead?

I know why you use a 40mm Guide bush. But isn't a clear 50mm OD easier to make by any router owner by themselves?

"Just cut 2 clear plastic circular discs of appropriate thinkness one 60mm and the other 50mm. Glue them together concentrically. Drill 2 countersunk holes and plunge say a 1.5" (38mm) bit through after mounting"

Then Use a 50mm Guide Bush for most templates instead of a 40mm Guide Bush.

Originally Posted by reuelt

Thanks TOM,

Forgot to mention that the side benefits are all my routers are now also compatible with Trent Guide Bush range also, and with the Porta Cable adaptor also provided by the TGA001, compatible with the Porta Cable Brass Guide Bushes as well.

A question for Tom
Why not standardise on a 50mm OD Guide Bush instead?

I know why you use a 40mm Guide bush. But isn't a clear 50mm OD easier to make by any router owner by themselves?

"Just cut 2 clear plastic circular discs of appropriate thinkness one 60mm and the other 50mm. Glue them together concentrically. Drill 2 countersunk holes and plunge say a 1.5" (38mm) bit through after mounting"

Then Use a 50mm Guide Bush for most templates instead of a 40mm Guide Bush.

Sounds as if you have it all covered
I know Trend in the UK do produce larger than 40mm guides and I do have my own home made set up to 100mm dia.

It has been a big problem getting users to purchase the 40mm which is readily available for two of the routers I use regularly and they are very common here in Australia so where did you purchase your guides?

Tom

I just pressure fit the thick end of a vacuum cleaner host adapter from Godfreys into the spare metal plate from my GMC router.

40.02 mm Guide Bush for the GMC R2050

OD 40.02 mm
ID 31.1mm

Cost less than $5

Picture attached

Originally Posted by Knurl

1. Calculating the extra gutter that you need to add to your physical template (usually MDF) could be difficult for some people. BUT the really hard part is actually adding this "gutter" or offset to a carefully drawn template is particularly tricky without using drawing instruments. None of the woodworking mags have ever given me any assistance with this..

Here in the USA, all my bits and guides are imperial not metric. But I use graph paper to draw(full size) the bit and guide I plan to use. This makes it very easy to figure out the offset or gutter. My graph paper has 1/4" squares,but I'm sure metric paper is available Or you can generate any size you want here . http://incompetech.com/graphpaper/

Originally Posted by Skew ChiDAMN!!

Occasionally I've found that one template just won't do the job.

But there's nothing to stop you from using multiple templates - maybe with each one for a different sized router bit or router collar (or perhaps not) - so long as you establish some sort of system to ensure each one is lined up accurately to the work when you change them.

I have completed a couple projects where all steps were completed using 1 template, with multiple bits and/or guides.

Originally Posted by RRW

I have completed a couple projects where all steps were completed using 1 template, with multiple bits and/or guides.

This is the sort of material we need to see posted here to illustrate the benefits of the templates and the guides. I would be very interested in your work as I say that more can be produced with the router if only it were taken out of the table now and then.

Tom