What Kind Of Material Do You Use For Templates?

[cantankerously]

Basically looking for something similar to what the dude uses in this video:

[Bob Blea]

Hello Cantankerously, and welcome to the forum!

When I am making a prototype of something, I usually make the template out of thick paper. I often end up using junk mail cardstock flyers for this if they are big enough. Once I have made the item and I'm sure about the dimensions and I know I will make future versions of it, I make a template out of plastic. I get a thin clear plastic sheet from the craft store. I find it in the sewing section at Hobbly Lobby and I think it's used to make templates for quilters. I have also used thin cardboard for this too, and I've seen people use the brown paper that sides of leather come wrapped in (think brown butcher's paper) for making templates for big parts like saddle fenders.

Bob

[veedub3]

I too use a thick brown paper. It comes on a roll and you can get it at Lowes. Contractors use it to cover New hardwood flooring once installed, but it works great for making templates. I also make them out of poster board. I get that from Hobby Lobby. This week they have them on sale 4 for $1.00 and I usually get about $3 or $4 worth.

What he is using in the video I have not idea but it is nice and thick, I would love to try that.

[cantankerously]

Yeah - I like the thickness of the material. Ideally I would just cut around the template so it would have to be somewhat rigid. The plastic from Hobby Lobby sounds promising.

[Dwight]

The two types I use, . . . manila file folders, . . . usually 100 of them at discount office supply stores for 5 bucks or so.

Found box of legal size last year for I think 4 bucks, . . . still using them.

My permanent, . . . "do not change this ever" patterns and templates are cut from Tandy's bag stiffener. Not that expensive, . . . and really wonderful medium to work with if you need some strength and durability.

The material he used in the video would be similar to the bag stiffener.

May God bless,

Dwight

Edited July 25, 2013 by Dwight

[sheathmaker]

A product I have found that is near perfect for your permanent patterns is the sheet PVC that is used by custom sign making companies. (it's the same stuff the "no trespassing", "for sale" signs are made of that you find in hardware and other stores.) It's pure blank white, you can write or draw on it (and erase), tough enough to last forever, and thin enough to cut easily with scissors or a # 11 Exacto blade. It comes from their suppliers in 4'X 8'sheets, and is not overly expensive.

Paul

Edited July 25, 2013 by sheathmaker

[veedub3]

A product I have found that is near perfect for your permanent patterns is the sheet PVC that is used by custom sign making companies. (it's the same stuff the "no trespassing", "for sale" signs are made of that you find in hardware and other stores.) It's pure blank white, you can write or draw on it (and erase), tough enough to last forever, and thin enough to cut easily with scissors or a # 11 Exacto blade. It comes from their suppliers in 4'X 8'sheets, and is not overly expensive.

Paul

You wouldn't by any chance know what these sheets are called? I tried Google but I am coming up empty, but I think that's because I am not using the correct term.

Thanks,

Karina

[Shadowsbane]

http://www.bestblanks.com/signsubstrates.html?gclid=CMWd4cnFyrgCFWYV7AodJAsAWQ

THey are called PVC sign blanks. That seems like a sorta decent store, but you will probably have better luck someplace local.

[evandailey]

He's using mat board from what I can tell in the video. It's readily available at art supply or framing shops. It can be a bit of a pain to cut, especially tight curves, but that works to your benfit as a pattern. Most thinner materials used for patterns are only good for marking around with a pen or pencil then cutting the line. This stuff you can follow with your knife.

[Chief31794]

I buy a lot of templates or have them made for me by Black River Laser, however, when I do make one of my own I use:

Temporary Patterns: Poster Board (Walmart or Dollar Store)

Permanent Patterns: I go to Lowes or Home Depot and try to find smooth vinal floor covering (the cheap stuff with no padding), I can buy one yard for less than $10.00 and it is normally about 12 Ft long. That gives me 36 sq ft for a very reasonable price, it is very pliant, but stiff enough to cut around and holds up for a long time.

Chief