Material For Making Reusable Templates?

[AusSimon]

Hi All,

Sorry if this is not the right place to post this.

I just wanted to know what everyone uses when they have an item that they will be making over and over again. Like a template for repeat use?

Do you use plastic? If so how thick and how do you cut it? Is it possible to have them printed from a digital drawing?

Cheers,

Simon

 

[JLSleather]

card stock.  80# or 100# card stock makes a LOT of uses.  It might depend on what you call "over and over". If you mean 10 in a life, a piece of paper from your printer when you need it.  If you mean 10 per week, get a piece of card stock - your home printer will still do it.  If you mean 10 per day, have a die made to "click" out the parts.

[fredk]

For 1 or 2s I use cardboard, for more numerous I get acrylic templates cut, or use 3mm MDF, or I stick the paper/card pattern onto special kitchen cutting mats I get from Ikea then cut them out - all depends on how many of the item I'm going to make and how complicated it is

I draw up the pattern to exact sizes and take it to a place which cuts out with a laser mostly. They charge me a pittance to cut my templates in clear 3mm acrylic or 3mm MDF. The plastic mats I get from Ikea can be cut with my leather scissors.

[AusSimon]

Hey Guys,

Thank you so much for your responses. 

Yeah I was thinking more along the lines of something i can use as a guide to cut directly against. 

I just did a quick search and found a place near me that can cut up to half inch Acrylic for like the cost of nothing. So think I will do that. it appears they can also work with Adobe Illustrator files so will draw up my templates with that.

I think I'll also give the Ikea cutting mats a go for more temp stuff.

Cheers,

Simon

 

[mdv99]

Weaver Leather recently started selling "Pattern Sheet" plastic for making templates.

Pattern Sheet Plastic

[JLSleather]

8 minutes ago, AusSimon said:

I just did a quick search and found a place near me that can cut up to half inch Acrylic for like the cost of nothing. So think I will do that. it appears they can also work with Adobe Illustrator files so will draw up my templates with that.

Have em cut 10 of each.  Apparently, there are people LINING UP to pay $25 U.S. for a "template" of a rectangle

 

[Matt S]

I like using hardboard (Masonite) with the textured back. Not only is it easily worked with common tools but the back makes it far less likely to slip than anything else I've tried, including MDF, acrylic, card and plywood. You can cut directly around it too, with a little care.

[Zonker1972]

this was asked a few weeks ago and i suggested flexible cutting boards. you can get them at the dollar store.

zonker

[wizard of tragacanth]

7 hours ago, Matt S said:

I like using hardboard (Masonite) with the textured back. Not only is it easily worked with common tools but the back makes it far less likely to slip than anything else I've tried, including MDF, acrylic, card and plywood. You can cut directly around it too, with a little care.

Matt, what do you use to cut the Masonite,. a jig saw?

nick

[nrk]

I use plastic folders mostly. But acrylic boards are good options if you find where to purchase. 3mm is more than enough