I'm trying to figure out the best way to trace and cut lure silhouettes onto Lexan to be used as templates for the Vega duplicator. Is this accomplished through a CNC service of some sort? If so, can anyone recommend a vendor?

Any other recommendations for creating a blemish-free duplicator template if it were to be traced and cut free-hand?

Thank you for any advice.

Eric

Print it on paper. Use 3m contact cement to stick paper on lexan, then cut lexan and paper on the bandsaw. Easy.
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I photocopy the plug on card stock paper (avery) and cut the profile carefully with scissors... then I tape this cutout with 3M blue painters tape onto the lexan and cut it out on my band saw... then I saw the profile with 120 grit in a rubber sanding block ... I turn a test plug and take measurements on the plug... usually I need to sand down a few spots on my lexan template .... best to creep up on the final profile to get what you want

Thank you, gents.

Eric
I use wood to make my templates. acutally the hardest part is sanding the edge smooth and straight. But all in all it works pretty well.

Thanks, Dave. Good to hear from you -- I hope you are well.

I photocopy the plug on card stock paper (avery) and cut the profile carefully with scissors... then I tape this cutout with 3M blue painters tape onto the lexan and cut it out on my band saw... then I saw the profile with 120 grit in a rubber sanding block ... I turn a test plug and take measurements on the plug... usually I need to sand down a few spots on my lexan template .... best to creep up on the final profile to get what you want

Bingo....thats exactly how I do it.

If you have a body available to copy and don't mind taking the wire out, chuck the plug into the head and tail stock of lathe. Put into the Vega groove a piece of plexi w/ paper on. Grind down a pencil to fit into the stylus holder. Make pencil touch paper on plexi. Next remove your cut bit from the holder. Make a phoney cutter look alike out of a dowel. Grind a soft point on it. Install in holder and lightly run wood bit facsimile along plug body and the pencil touching the paper on plexi will trace the exact outline. Cut on bandsaw and sand down to outline. Good Luck.

If you have a body available to copy and don't mind taking the wire out, chuck the plug into the head and tail stock of lathe. Put into the Vega groove a piece of plexi w/ paper on. Grind down a pencil to fit into the stylus holder. Make pencil touch paper on plexi. Next remove your cut bit from the holder. Make a phoney cutter look alike out of a dowel. Grind a soft point on it. Install in holder and lightly run wood bit facsimile along plug body and the pencil touching the paper on plexi will trace the exact outline. Cut on bandsaw and sand down to outline. Good Luck.

I do the same thing except i took a piece of rod and ground a point onto it to scribe the plexi or lexan.

My brother has access to a CLC laser cutter at his place of work, so I think I'm going to luck out with computer-created arcs cut blemish-free onto Lexan.

id like to see some of those finished templates if you go that route.
post some pics please.

Man I'd hate to be around a laser cutting that stuff. Phew.

Eric if that doesn't work out for you then I can probably take it right into my machine and cut them for you on the router. I think I could use a small carbide mill to do that. Mcmaster has lexan in different sizes and I always liked the 1/4" thickness. I got pretty good wear on my templates and I turned alot on that duplicator. I will never go back to manual strictly cnc now and manual copy on the big machine. I may have some extra templates you could use.