Using Carpentry Patterns And Templates

By Robert Robillard on Workshop tips

Making And Using Carpentry Patterns And Templates

Making And Using Carpentry Patterns And Templates in woodworking help to make joints and construction repeatable and accurate. If you are making more than one project, cut or component, and you want to reduce the chance of compound error or a mistake in cutting and expensive piece of wood, tile or granite then making a template first is a very good idea.

Making And Using Carpentry Patterns And Templates are usually low cost to build, increase your accuracy on the job, improve your efficiency and usually product better quality projects.

Once made a template can used over and over again, saving time on future installations.

Some common situations to use a template include:

1. Fitting parts into an irregular space or getting an exact fit into a regular space; Granite counter top installers always make a template in order to cut their granite.

2. Mortising with a router.

3. Building and fitting cabinets.

4. Fitting cabinet hardware.

5. Whenever we do a project that has the potential to be built again; or if the design is somewhat difficult, build a jig or template.

Here’s a few tips on making a quick template:

1. Use 3-5″ rips of 1/4″ plywood or luan plywood.  Luan is a really thin plywood like substance – it’s so thin it can be cut with a razor knife and snapped.

2. Use a utility knife to score and cut to the material a rough size.

3. Place the strips against the surfaces you will use the template on.

4. Staple, hot glue together the parts. Thin braces can be used throughout the center of the template to strengthen it for transporting. I sometimes will put them in at a 45 degree.

5. Use pencil lines [witness marks] to create a redundancy check line for your template.

6. If your dealing with irregular surfaces, scribe the parts to the surface before putting the template together.

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About the author

Robert Robillard

Carpenter / Remodeler / Editor

Rob Robillard is “The Concord Carpenter” Rob is a builder, general contractor, carpenter, woodworker, and editor of Concord Carpenter and ToolBoxBuzz As a General Contractor and carpenter, Rob owns and operates Concord Carpenter LLC. A full-service remodeling and construction company. Rob is a recognized leader in home building best practices and a source for how-to information for building professionals. On this website, Rob covers all aspects of home construction, building science, home improvement, woodworking, remodeling, and some of the best product and tool reviews. Rob is in charge of our Tool and Product Review series - Concord Carpenter Videos where we post all of our tool reviews and video tutorials. Rob approaches remodeling and building construction with a pragmatic and problem-solving approach. He enjoys using his knowledge and experience to help and educate building professionals as well as DIYers on best practices in the construction and remodeling industry. He's a strong advocate for "raising the bar" in the construction trades and promoting the trades to youth. #BeAMentor #Green2Great Craftsmanship, quality, and pride guide his journey on this channel The Concord Carpenter's motto: "Well done is better than well said!" : Read more about Rob

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