Avoid your templates "sliding around"

[Danne]

So I was trying to figure out a solution to keep my templates in place, this is of course especially important when cutting watch straps to size. A tapered strap 20-18mm, need to be somewhere between +-0.2 (+ 0.2 and there will be a lot more sanding, -0.2mm and it will be perfect with room for edge paint) but still if the template slide around it can ruin the whole project. (These dimensions are of course for the edge paint and technique I use, so different kinds of edge paint will build different thickness. This works good for me with Fenice (Low medium viscosity, I think it's AR 64XX/T, but I'm not certain. 250ml bottles doesn't have that information, 1l bottles have though) And also Uniters EP2000 (the standard viscocity version of EP2000)

And yes, laser cut templates would be a better solution, but a lot of my straps are prototypes so the template constantly change.

(Ps this solution might not be a good idea for full aniline leathers, because it might be visible "stains" from the tape. I use only full grain leather, but either finished or semi-aniline, so for me it works good.)

A thin double sided tape, and after attached to the template, stick it to some leather and pull it off a couple of times until the strength becomes lower. I didn't have a suitable thin double sided tape, so I used Jaeger 3516 reinforcement material. (One side is self adhesive, and one side have a glue primer, so I glued it to my template, and it works so good. 

Some photos.

The material

 

 

Edited December 18, 2022 by Danne

[Frodo]

I use  a 8” C-clamp on small stuff

And lead filled bags on the larger pieces

https://www.harborfreight.com/search?q=pittsburgh&cid=pdp_brandLink

[Aven]

Have you tried using non-slip tape on the bottom of template?  Only have to apply it once.

[327fed]

On thick leather I sometimes use a thumb tack on the back side. Also painters tape on the back but this messes up the knap. 

[Danne]

8 hours ago, Frodo said:

I use  a 8” C-clamp on small stuff

And lead filled bags on the larger pieces

https://www.harborfreight.com/search?q=pittsburgh&cid=pdp_brandLink

Yes also a good solution.

2 hours ago, Aven said:

Have you tried using non-slip tape on the bottom of template?  Only have to apply it once.

Not really sure what non-slip tape is, do you have a link?

2 hours ago, 327fed said:

On thick leather I sometimes use a thumb tack on the back side. Also painters tape on the back but this messes up the knap. 

Also, one solution is to glue the back side with water based contact cements, most (All) of them leave a "rubber like" surface when dried.

[Aven]

Weaver carries non-slip tape.

[327fed]

Gem clips if you put scrap leather under them to keep from marking the good stuff. 

[jrny4wrd]

the nano suction sheets from Tandy work awesome for this. Yes, they cost a bit, but worth it if you are always using the same template. Also, You can probably by sheets of nano grip from the manufacturers if needed. Tandy item# 3497-00

[Danne]

50 minutes ago, jrny4wrd said:

the nano suction sheets from Tandy work awesome for this. Yes, they cost a bit, but worth it if you are always using the same template. Also, You can probably by sheets of nano grip from the manufacturers if needed. Tandy item# 3497-00

Thank you, but 1mm thick will not work for me with these kinds of templates. I need an edge closer to the leather to cut against. But that material can still be useful in other situations.

I do use Sookwang score tape now with good results.

Edited February 5 by Danne

[YinTx]

Temporary/reposition-able adhesive?  (aka post it note adhesive)

I think this may be a version...

https://www.amazon.com/Aleenes-Tack-Over-Liquid-Glue/dp/B00178QQ84/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=post+it+note+glue&qid=1677106715&rnid=2941120011&s=arts-crafts&sr=1-2