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New, faster, smoother method of curved template making
http://mowrystrings.luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10101&t=52106
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Author:  pullshocks [ Fri Jun 28, 2019 2:33 pm ]
Post subject:  New, faster, smoother method of curved template making

I have always made my curved router templates by laying out on plywood, bandsawing to shape and tweaking the final outline with an oscillating spindle sander and various sanding blocks and sanding strips. Very time consuming, and it can be difficult to get a nice fair curve.

I recently purchased a product called Kurvenlinfix, and used it for the first time this week.

When carefully laid out and screwed down, it will take a nice fair curve, and I'm really pleased with the results. My one gripe is the material is not flat, making it a little more difficult to lay out.

It is available in a couple different widths, depending how tight a curve you want to follow. I purchased the narrowest ( 5/16" ) width, which handled the curves of this T-style template. I am not sure how tight of a circle you could do.

Kurvenlinfix is available from multiple vendors, but Tools For Working Wood was the only source I found for the 5/16" size.

Author:  James Orr [ Fri Jun 28, 2019 4:11 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: New, faster, smoother method of curved template making

OK, this is cool. Convex curves are easy enough to get smooth with a disk sander, but concave always give me trouble on the spindle. It's really easy to get little dimples here and there.

Author:  pullshocks [ Tue Jul 02, 2019 6:12 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: New, faster, smoother method of curved template making

Here's a little update. I did a tighter curve, a pretty typical solid body cutaway. The cut out is about 2 3/4" in diameter. It was a little more challenging.

Like many cutaways it has a transition from the straight fingerboard edge, to the cut out. I screwed down the Kurvenlinfix along the straight edge.

Attachment:
P1010322.JPG


As I started to form the curve, it telegraphed into the straight area.
Attachment:
P1010324.JPG





I added a support block and that seemed to work

Attachment:
P1010325.JPG


The material is harder to bend to the tighter curve, but it will take the curve.
Attachment:
P1010326.JPG


You can see how the screw holes are distorted in the tight curve.
Attachment:
P1010327.JPG


Ready to bandsaw out the waste and rout the cutaway.
Attachment:
P1010329.JPG


Routing completed. I do not feel any lumps, dips, or flat spots. Part of the credit probably should go to the shear cut router bit
Attachment:
P1010330.JPG

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