Template Material

[mmattockx]

I'm moving into making wood lam bows (followed by composites if all goes well) and will need to use templates to trace/draw the back profile onto the glued up limbs. I draw the profile in autocad and print it out full size. I can then stick the print out directly onto the limbs or can glue it to a stiffer base material to make a reusable template. I think I prefer the reusable template for the next couple designs at least. What do people recommend for the template base material?


Thanks,
Mark

[wood carver 2]

You can use plexiglass or thin mdf. Thin plywood works as well as long as it’s good quality.
Dave.

[Mad Max]

Use a .040/.050 piece of Glass, wont swell, and will keep it's shape

[Crooked Stic]

Quality plywood is cheapest.

[Crittergetter]

I use 1/6” g10 for templates and 1/4” aluminum for my pattern jigs

[mmattockx]

One more template question - do you guys use a full length template or a half length one that you just flip around?


Mark

[Stagmitis]

Maybe I went overboard but I have full length profile templates made from aluminum.

[Crooked Stic]

If you freehand it One half and flip it. I guess if you can get CNC made full length can work.

[Shredd]

 i use a piece of formica...  go half length and you can use it on different length bows...

[Roy from Pa]

I use Formica in one piece, but all I make are one piece wood longbows.

[mmattockx]

Maybe I went overboard but I have full length profile templates made from aluminum.

That works if you have worked out exactly what you want and will make mostly the same bow, but I am not at that stage at all.

i use a piece of formica...  go half length and you can use it on different length bows...

That's a good point in favour of the half length one.


Mark