About Router Templates
If you want to create new and exciting things with a router, a template will help you do it. Router templates are great ways to cut several different shapes from wood, like circles, hearts, curves and more. You can easily create a straight line, curved line or trim any shape material using a small but effective template.
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Significance
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A router template is nothing more than a shape cut out of wood or plastic. It is placed on top of the wood and secured by clamps or another means. The router is then placed on top of the template and moved around the edges with the bit shield against the edge of the template. In this way the template guides the router to cut a shape similar to its own.
Features
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A router template has what is called an edge or guide, an infield and out field. The infield is the area directly around the edge. The outfield is the other area behind the edge, or the rest of the template. This is important because some templates like curves and gable templates, are used with long pieces of wood and must be braced against a stationary router. So, the template must fit between the end of the router and the base.
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Types
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There are many shapes in which a router template can be cut, but common ones include simple curves for decorative overhangs, furniture or other uses. Shapes including hearts, circles and triangles as well as complex router patterns that can cut out faces, characters and animal shapes. Most simple templates are made from a plastic, other templates that fit on stationary routers are made from steel and high density plastic.
Function
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Router templates can be used for anything. Most commonly they are used to cut trim shapes, molding and other simple home projects. However, more complex router templates are used for cutting "embossed" numbers or letters into wood. These templates are used with a simple home router and clamp right onto the wood. They can be used to make signs and more.
Considerations
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A router template needs to fit right over the wood you are cutting. It should not be longer than the wood sheet, but it should be long and wide enough to fit comfortably on the sheet. Your router also must slide evenly over the template. The smoother the edge of the template is the better, because the router needs to slide along it to cut. You also need to consider the thickness of the template, the depth you want the router to cut and the type and size of bit you will use.
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