Plastic for Templates and Cutting Guides

[nylonRigging]

What is your 'cutting table' top ?  for running blade on for pattern template cutting .

I like to use 4'x8' sheets 1/8" polyethylene sheets to cut/make all my permanent pattern templates . stays ridged , easy to cut even tight radius pattern designs . Just throw down on the material on the cutting table with weights on top, and trace, then cut . I buy plastics like abs in 4x8 ft. sheets from commercial warehouse in this area , and I use a nice size stack of 4x8' every years with internal stiff plates in items I sew/sell .
For you to save money over a place like retail chain-store sales . Tap plastics (they are expensive) you have to buy from larger supplier . You are going to need at a minimum Acrylic hardness to run a blade around the edge . Sheet metal would be good for big large volume cutting with running a blade .
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[Riemer]

19 hours ago, fredk said:

a. 3mm = 1/8 inch,   6mm = 1/4 inch - close enough for government work, 

b. I use a big heavy weight on the template to hold it down

c. I suggest you use a rotary knife on thin material

You're too good to me, Fred. 

Yeah, a rotary knife is a great idea. The blades are darn expensive, but now that I think about it, what a time saver it will be cutting out dozens of the things. 

19 hours ago, kgg said:

How large do you need the template to be?

kgg

The largest one would be 12" x 16". 

18 hours ago, nylonRigging said:

What is your 'cutting table' top ?  for running blade on for pattern template cutting .

I like to use 4'x8' sheets 1/8" polyethylene sheets to cut/make all my permanent pattern templates . stays ridged , easy to cut even tight radius pattern designs . Just throw down on the material on the cutting table with weights on top, and trace, then cut . I buy plastics like abs in 4x8 ft. sheets from commercial warehouse in this area , and I use a nice size stack of 4x8' every years with internal stiff plates in items I sew/sell .
For you to save money over a place like retail chain-store sales . Tap plastics (they are expensive) you have to buy from larger supplier . You are going to need at a minimum Acrylic hardness to run a blade around the edge . Sheet metal would be good for big large volume cutting with running a blade .

I have a 4'X8' cutting mat.

That's good to know!! I was worried about acrylic because of how hard it would be to cut to size (which would then be a benefit when it comes to using it as a template). Polyethelene seems like a good choice. I'll have to see if there are any commercial outfits here. 

 

[kgg]

I would suggest buying a sheet of HDPE in 3/8 or 1/2" thickness. Up hear HDPE is commonly know a puck board as it is used in lining the side walls of hockey arenas. A 4'x 8' sheet then can be cut easily with a jig saw or table saw to the sizes / shape you need and a sheet should cost about $150 to $200 CA.

kgg