Templates
 

How do you guys make templates for your duplicator?

I know some people make plexiglas templates.

I spin a plug out of mahogany and then I use the mahogany plug as my template (I measure and use calipers to ensure the same dimensions). I find it easier and more accurate then cutting plexiglas templates. I found cutting plexiglas more difficult to get exact dimensions, and plus I got practice on the lathe. Here are some examples of my templates.

I use maple. 1/2" thick. It wears just fine, besides I am only touching the template on the last pass.

I like to turn a 3d blank from birch or maple and use that as my template.

Jigman

That's true. I only touch on the last pass as well.

Plexiglass for me.....

I use plexi as well. I first figure out the plug that I want to make. I then bring it into adobe illustrator after taking detailed measurements and make a simple line art representation of it. Print that out and trace that onto my plexi. cut with a jigsaw and i'm ready to go.

I use plexiglas, mount it wrong in the holder, file it down to try and fix it, and end up with plugs I can't recognize.

I use plexiglass because I had some, but maple works just fine and I will use that or mdf when I run out of plexi.

Mr K, how are you anchoring the plug templates to your dupe?

1. square ends on chop lure in half on bandsaw with a fence to make sure its straigh down the middle. Trace to lexan done.

2. place lure between centers centered. Replace the pin the follows your template with a pencil or marker. Slide in lexan, done template made.

:wave:

I'll do them up and leave them all natural and label everything if its something that works for me that way down the road i dont go hmmm howd I do that...

I use a product made for buisness "street" signs. It's a indestructable white plastic. Like plexiglass, but 1/4 inch thick, and it shapes easy. Mounts to the holder with wingnuts.

I actually throw the plug on the copier at work then cut out the shape and outline it on the Plexiglass...then ut the rough shape with the band saw and shape with the drum sander on the drill press.....usually takes me about 15 minutes if all goes well

The templates are thru-drilled so I use the pins that come with the duplicator.

Thanks. :)

First I turn an original, usualy of scrap pine, I cut a piece of 1/8X2 3/4 X 10 lexan and glue a piece of graph paper to it....

then with the duplicator in place, I install a home made hardwood tracer, if tracing an original, cover the tip with felt.... I "tune a pencil to fit my stylus, when the pencil is installed, apply SLIGHT down pressure ( too much will tear the paper) now move the hand wheel to trace the pattern..use a square to mark the ends of the plugs, also move the tracer in and out to mark , weight and hook holes...

now using a scroll,band,jig or even a coping saw cut out your pattern, use care to make smooth exact cuts, smooth any rogh edges with sand paper... insert your template into the dupe, check that it is centered by inserting a blank into the lathe.... next remove the blank, reinstall your cutter and stylus.....reinstall your "set up" blank and adjsut your cutter, be sure to leave room for finishing the plug..

now round out your blank, when the plug nears the size you desire, check it with a pair of calipers... once you are satified the diameter is good, continue on with your plug... sand and mark the plug using the stylus and cutter... move the cutter to one side and bring each mark around the plug...I prefer to do this by turning the lathe by hand, rather than turningon the machine...

your finished blank should resemble the set up piece that you turned...

I'm sure there are other/better ways, but this method is quick and easy and works for me...

WOW...this turned into a really informative thread. I hope this helps some people needing info.

I've been using whatever scraps I have until I settle on shape and get it working.

I have some plexiglas that was suppose to be parking signs for my work but they never seemed to use it, so I've been using that when I decided I was going to keep a shape.


I do it in illustrator as well, only because I can alter if need be before and print another if I have too. This is just a gibb's troller clone I was working on.

Maybe one of the moderators could put this in the how to forum??

funny I never turned a plug free hand in my life. I make template, profile, first then use my duplicator to make the first one. Adjust template till I get what I like and go from there. I have no problem with doing onese's on a dup., plus I excel in doing things half ass backwards. As long as the end result is there and it's fun go for it.

:laugha:Sounds like a machinist to me!:laugha:

This is what I do. Then just cut on the band saw, Then file the would to remove any high spots on the template

Big Dave