Template help

[Trad Whitetail]

Well I ordered the 62" hybrid plans from Bingham's and got my form plank built and just finished the oversize easy bake oven   :D .  I am getting ready to cut the form and am a little nervous.  what I am planning to do is make a half template and then cut the form close with the band saw and then finish it with a router using a pattern tracing bit or flush trim bit.  It sounds like formica is popular for the template but I could not find any locally that would not be part of a counter top   :rolleyes:   .  Will 1/2" MDF work?  I think Kenny M mentioned hitting a soft spot in a piece one time - anyone have any luck with it as a router pattern?   I thought about the leftover plywood I had from building the oven but I think there are too many voids in it.  Also are you guys cutting your template on the band saw and then sanding it to make it "perfect" or are you using another method?  Bingham's longbow video is geared toward a straight longbow so I can't just cut it perfectly in two like they say, notch the handle, and be done lol.  Thanks.

[Trux Turning]

It sounds like you have a good plan with the template and router- cut your form close to the line and I've used both plywood or mdf (1/4") as a template for the router bit with no problems. The first few forms I made sanding to the line but now prefer using the router method. Have fun.

[Glunt]

I have made 2 using 1/4" MDF for the template with no issues.  Really take your time getting the template perfect with no bumps or valleys.  The routering part is pretty fail safe if you go smooth.

I just drew a new one tonight.  A lttle less deflex than I have been trying and hopefully some more preload.
 

[JamesV]

1/8 inch masonite will work great for templates.

[kennym]

Yep on the soft place, but it was the old 1/4" masonite. I think MDF is harder as is 1/8" tempered masonite. The good thing is if it goes a little deep, you can bondo it(never tried this) or move your (new)template a little and recut.

When you get your template done, bend a good metal yardstick or a pc of .050 glass around the curves, this will show flats and bumps you didn't see.

Good luck, take pics , and have fun!!  

[Trad Whitetail]

Thanks guys - it sounds like I am on the right track.  Just needed some encouragement I guess.   :D