How to make router templates

This is the second video in a 3 part series about router template work. The Basics video has already been uploaded. In this video I show you how to make your own router templates with basic workshop tools. In the final video I will show you how to make templates using a CNC.

[@jaydeloia2147]

I've been looking for information on this very topic. I've had no luck until I found your series on templates. These are by far the best source of information I've found so far. ...very helpful.

[@NewBritWorkshop]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Bass-guitarist]

As new wood worker, the tip on radius guides in the corner earned you a subscription thank you.

[@NewBritWorkshop]

Welcome aboard!

[@evedickson2496]

I just love watching these videos... not only educational and inspiring, but love the British sense of humour :-)

[@NewBritWorkshop]

Glad you enjoyed it. Peter

[@barry3400]

Great video Peter! and it just so happens that I too (after 50 years of woodworking) got rid of my import bits and bought a set Famag forstner bits, and I'm very glad that I did (I figured I shouldn't wait much or longer for obvious reasons). That value of good quality tools can't be over estimated.

[@NewBritWorkshop]

Hi Barry, Yes, Famag make really great boring bits ! Cheers. Peter

[@timkilinc535]

Excellent work. Thanks for sharing your knowledge and techniques you developed .

[@geoff544]

Another useful video Peter. On the guide bush size versus the radius of the corner of the template producing square corners (at 9:45), the corner will actually be round as the cutter makes a round cut - even a square cornered template will produce a round cornered cut. And if you choose the right cutter that radius might be the radius you want for the corner.

[@NewBritWorkshop]

Hi Geof, Yes, for a plug but for a hole it will have square corners - try it. Peter

[@liviuc1946]

@@NewBritWorkshop I may be missing something, but I cant see a router making a squared corner hole no matter what. You have a round bit in it that would round the corners anyway, unless that router bit is what, 0.5mm?? I think a simpler template with straight corners will produce a rounded corner hole by the radius of the guide or the bit itself.

[@batchrocketproject4720]

You're right, and I was going to make the same point. A square corner is only seen in the video because a pencil was used and that has a very small diameter. In a sharp-square template, the corners will always have exactly the radius of the cutter.

[@royharkins7066]

Thanks again unfortunately I’ve realised I don’t quite have the tooling needed but no problem I can do it by Hand, superb video we really appreciate your hard work ,. Roy

[@NewBritWorkshop]

Glad to help

[@Boliodog1990]

Amazing job and clear instructions

[@NewBritWorkshop]

Hi Thomas, Many thanks. Cheers. Peter

[@Steveleter]

Brilliant, mate!

[@NewBritWorkshop]

Cheers. Peter

[@fityanoph]

You are so professional Thank you sir

[@NewBritWorkshop]

Many thanks Peter

[@Darrell_Coquillette]

Another great video Peter. BTW, can you make your offset tables available for download. I would love to use them myself. Thank you so much.

[@mauriceryton]

It would be nice to have access to print them.

[@stodgeboy]

Agreed, any chance of sharing your offset tables? I was trying to pause the video and copy the figures but the drawings would be a useful reference as well. Thanks

[@stodgeboy]

Just watched the rest of the videos in the series and the table is available from the Axminster website for the router guide bush set. Thanks, Peter. Excellent and informative videos as always. P.S. every time you say “ear defenders on” it takes me back to my range days 😊

[@maxgainz8406]

To make a rectangular template, clamp on a few pieces of wood to make the shape, then cut it out with a jigsaw and flushtrim bit

[@dinfelu]

very interesting...thank you

[@NewBritWorkshop]

You are welcome!

[@jdrmyers]

I'm wondering if the rule about making sure the template corners radius is greater than the radius of the guide bushing only applies to an oval shaped template? Wouldn't the rule for a rectangular shaped template be the opposite in order to get square corners? Rule: Template corners have to have a radius smaller than the radius of the guide bushing.

[@jdrmyers]

Would you mind helping me with how to make a template? I need to talk in inches instead of millimeters though. I need to make five rectangle holes 7/8" x 2.5" in 3/4" plywood with square corners. In watching your video lesson, it appears I could achieve this by making a larger template than the hole needed and then use appropiate guide bushings. I can't quite grasp how I need to do that. I am a beginner woodworker so all details would be appreciated.

[@jamesclancy7245]

Nice job ,welldone

[@NewBritWorkshop]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@swbccs]

Thank you so much for this excellent video. Where can I find a router bushing table like the one you use?

[@NewBritWorkshop]

All my plans are available free of charge but in order to get plans I need your email address. To find my email address go to my main KZbin page, click the "About" tab and that leads to my email address. I am told this has to be done on a PC. Please state which plans you need in your email. Peter

[@MrPatdeeee]

Yes another "how to!" by our Peter Parfitt, None finer!

[@NewBritWorkshop]

Hi Pat, Stay safe. Cheers. Peter

[@jezza42]

Great video Peter, thanks for sharing. Can I ask please, where can i get a chart like that , that tells me the offsets and Bush sizes?

[@NewBritWorkshop]

I will send one to you. All my plans are available free of charge but in order to get plans I need your email address. To find my email address go to my main KZbin page, click the "About" tab and that leads to my email address. I am told this has to be done on a PC. Please state which plans you need in your email. Peter

[@jezza42]

@NewBritWorkshop excellent, thank you peter, I'll email later today when I'm home. Much appreciated Regards Ian

[@katabrontes]

Hi Peter, what speed do you run your drill? Very interesting video, bit of a towel round the head job to work out all the critical dimensions. Mike

[@NewBritWorkshop]

Hi Mike, It is easier than you think once you have sat down and worked out how to make a couple of videos on the subject ! Cheers. Peter ; sorry - about 1100 rpm (I think)

[@bothorsen4292]

I will soon install a new sink in the kitchen, and I want it to sit flushmounted with the oak countertop. I'm trying to figure out how to create a template from the sink to do this. It should create a cut that is a few millimeters larger than the sink. But I'm worried about whether the corners are going to be correct, if I use this technique with different offsets for the template and the actual cut. Maybe this could be a follow up video from you on how to do something like this?

[@NewBritWorkshop]

Hi Bo, Your sink will most likely have corners which are a quadrant of a circle. You can experiment with cardboard and a protractor to get the right radius. Your initial template could be made from cardboard. Measure the length and width of the sink across the centres of the respective sides and draw the rectangle on your cardboard adding the clearance that you feel you need. Next, using some scraps of cardboard experiment with the corner radius. When you have this right transfer it to the cardboard template. Cut it out and check. If it is right redraw (do not trace around the cardboard template) the shape either on your counter top or onto the wood that will become a router template. The rest should then be easy. Peter

[@ssouter1400]

Hi Peter- thanks for the video, very informative. One question that springs to mind though, is why don't you just use router bits with guide bearings that would cut directly up against the template and avoid all the offset trouble? No doubt I've missed something and there's a perfectly good reason so I'm very curious..?!

[@NewBritWorkshop]

For this type of work you would need (or be better off with) top mounted bearings which are more expensive than bottom mounted ones. However, the bearing has a significant diameter and that dictates the minimum radius of any part of the template. Most of my bearing guided cutters have 16 mm or 19 mm bearings but my guide bush set goes down to 10 mm diameter and so can get into tighter corners. Peter

[@ssouter1400]

@@NewBritWorkshop Gotcha, thanks, that's helpful.

[@JawellNofine]

What a gentleman you are, I really enjoy your videos. Please, please, please, will it be possible to make a copy of your offset tables available for us?

[@NewBritWorkshop]

Hi Jawell. Of course. All of my plans and diagrams are free. Just go to my KZbin top page, click on "About" and then you will see my email address. Send me an email, stating the plans that you need and I will send them to you. Peter

[@MINGLE2008]

Hi Peter. How do you get a mandrel. The mandrel has to be compatible with the router. Thanks for sharing the video.

[@NewBritWorkshop]

Hi Christopher, No, a mandrel will work in any router as long as the collet size is correct. Peter

[@jwballance]

Great explanation. One comment - At 12:06, the chart shows the radius as 22mm + offset - shouldn’t it show the radius as 11 mm + offset? When you describe your drill selection, you changed the measurement reference to diameter - 40 mm drill minus 2 times offset (9 mm) yields 22 mm diameter of object.

[@NewBritWorkshop]

The radius of the 22 mm curve is 11 mm. Add the offset to the radius or twice the offset to the diameter. Cheers. Peter

[@4221Tom]

Great video! However with my new Shaper Origin it is much easier and - at least I think so - a bit more precise. Any plans to use that one for your next video?

[@NewBritWorkshop]

Yes, I said this in the first and also this video but it will take a little while as I have other work to do in between. I have the X-Carve and use Aspire outputting in gcode. Cheers. Peter

[@ginoasci2876]

excellent video, but why not use your inlay kit? thank you

[@NewBritWorkshop]

Hi Gino, That is rather limited and has a very small cutter. With what I have shown people can tackle a huge range of template work. Peter

[@scottmartinezguitarandbass]

Can you share the offset calculations document? Apologies if you have already done so elsewhere.

[@NewBritWorkshop]

Hi Scott, I need your email address - Just go to my KZbin top page, click on "About" and then you will see my email address. Send me an email, stating what you need and I will send it to you. I am told that it is better to use a PC rather than a phone to find the email address. Peter

[@chriscooper5875]

Hi Pete I’ve missed the first vid, where can I get an offset guide from please. Many thanks

[@NewBritWorkshop]

Hi Chris, I can send it to you if you let me have your email address or you can see it on the Axminster web site: cdn.axminstertools.com/media/downloads/502571_TechnicalDataSheet_1.pdf?_ga=2.238155074.375385186.1644229348-927838810.1610087457&_gac=1.181819989.1643627724.Cj0KCQiArt6PBhCoARIsAMF5wai_Tqxh0jJ_7LxbWVq23zrCeeE-BSxRr_s6lFvPp7HQr0YtJDjLpxYaAi9vEALw_wcB Peter

[@chriscooper5875]

Hi Peter Thanks very much, Now have you done a video on how to use the chart ? Many Thanks in advance. Your videos are “mint” explain everything so calmly and without all the “faff” cheers

[@asd67lkj]

Hi, Where may I download a copy of your offset spreadsheet??? Your method reminds me of Ron Fox...

[@NewBritWorkshop]

I can send it to anyone who provides their email address or it can be seen on the Axminster web site: cdn.axminstertools.com/media/downloads/502571_TechnicalDataSheet_1.pdf?_ga=2.259417614.520884277.1633867721-927838810.1610087457 Peter

[@user-bi6dp1qe2j]

I like to watch your videos. Would you like to share the code numbers of the exact seven trend straight cutters?

[@NewBritWorkshop]

¼” Shaft 3/01X1/4TC (4 mm) 3/1X1/4TC (5 mm) 3/2X1/4TC (6 mm) 3/3X1/4TC (7 mm) 3/4X1/4TC (8 mm) 3/61X1/4TC (10 mm) 3/8X1/4TC (12 mm) Peter

[@user-bi6dp1qe2j]

@@NewBritWorkshop thanks a lot Peter.

[@kennethdawson9799]

Hey Peter. I have the Incra square, as you have. Actually most of the tools I have are because you have recommended them. Festool should now really send me birthday cards with the money I have spent. Anyway, what marker or pencil do you use with the Incra? I presently use a retractable pencil and the lead is constantly breaking in the holes. Great videos, as always.

[@NewBritWorkshop]

Hi Kenneth, I bought a pack of 5 retractable pencils which are quite cheap and cheerful and the leads do break. It is mainly because of the point getting stuck in the grain or a defect on the surface. I am afraid it is something to try and learn to avoid. I adjust the pressure to as low as possible to leave the line and that does help. Peter

[@kennethdawson9799]

@@NewBritWorkshop I know you always reply when possible, so thanks for that. I've ordered some artist's markers with 0.5 tips. They are supposed to be arriving today. When I've tried them, I'll let you know if they are any good and whether they leach into the wood at all.

[@MichaelRozie]

@@kennethdawson9799 try tech pens like the microns or Rotring

[@varmit7286]

I have all Imperial router bits. I am beginning to add more and more metric measured plans and tools. Does Trend, or anyone else, offer a router bit set similar to what you use?

[@NewBritWorkshop]

There is no specific sets (yet) and so I have got individual ones. Their professional range are really good value compared to other makers. Peter

[@tdimccullough]

would that someone be yourself?🤣 if you don't think you're special enough no else will

[@jakesale6087]

Hmm those Famag drills cost £900.

[@andersbergstroem5575]

That seems a bit much. I got my set a couple of years ago at a price of 299 eur. Simple superb quality.

[@NewBritWorkshop]

Hi Jake, You are way out with your pricing. Famag1622.515 - 15pcs 10-50mm in wooden case between £275 and £295 +VAT. In UK try Yandles, D&M, West Country Machinery 4 wood , Workshop Heaven. Peter

[@jakesale6087]

@@NewBritWorkshop that’s a bit more like it. I clearly got mixed up some how. I feel the need to acquire some more tools.

[@NewBritWorkshop]

Hi Jake, If they had gone up in price that much I would put them on ebay !! They are excellent though and worth every penny. Cheers. Peter

[@spongerobertosquarepantalo322]

You make a lot of sawdust don't you