Curve Templates: Do They Work for Routing With a Bearing?

[Steve H Graham]

For a long time, I've wished I had something I could use to create arbitrary curves and then transfer them to wood using a template bit. Yesterday I found out these things exist:

http://www.woodcraft.com/Product/2020439/22346/WoodRiver-Curve-Template-37.aspx

That's a 37" Woodriver Curve Template.

Is it possible to copy an object with one of these and then use the template to guide a router, or is it just intended to serve as a guide for a pencil?

[Richard Coers]

I vote pencil only. The edge is spring steel, with a fairly wide spacing between supports. I'm sure the pressure of a router would deflect the steel.

[Myk Rian]

Make a template using a band saw, file, sanding drum, whatever it takes.

[dave toney]

I make templates often for use with a ball bearing guided bit.
You could just use the device to create the curve you want on 1/4" ply and then cut out the template with a bandsaw or jigsaw.
1/4" ply is easy to sand or file to shape, you can then transfer to a finished piece or a more robust template.

[pat warner]

Title differs from message content, can respond to title, answer: Yes, but it is conditional. Sample (http://patwarner.com/images/fish.jpg), all done with bearings including glue-line T+G.

[Bill Huber]

I don't know how you would hold it on the wood to start and then like was stated I don't think you could put a bearing against it.

To make curves and the like I use French curves and or a compass. Once I get the curve like I want on some 1/2" MDF, I then cut it out on the band saw and finish it up on the drum or belt sander. Once it is smooth and the curve is just the way I want it I use turners tape and tape it to the board I will be using.

Now I take it back to the band saw with my template pin on it and cut it to about a 1/16 off the finial size. Now to the router table with the pattern bit or edge bit and do the finial cut, sand it and its ready to go, perfect every time.

189201

[Jeff Monson]

Felder has a great new product for making curves, its a heavy flexible plastic material, make any shape you want and it is attached with screws, rough cut on the bandsaw and use a flush cut with bearing on the shaper or router. I was a little hesitant at the price, it is a REALLY nice accessory. I had a curved tabletop setup and cut out in a matter of a few minutes.


Here is a link to the catalogue, its the "workshop tooling catalogue" the tool is on page #55

http://www.felderusa.com/us-us/free-catalog.html?__utma=1.1502199595.1301593834.130159 3834.1301593834.1&__utmb=1.2.10.1301593834&__utmc=1&__utmx=-&__utmz=1.1301593834.1.1.utmcsr=felderusa.com|utmcc n=%28referral%29|utmcmd=referral|utmcct=/products_details.php&__utmv=-&__utmk=196843820

[Steve H Graham]

Wow, lots of good answers here.

[Jamie Buxton]

Felder has a great new product for making curves, its a heavy flexible plastic material, make any shape you want and it is attached with screws, rough cut on the bandsaw and use a flush cut with bearing on the shaper or router. I was a little hesitant at the price, it is a REALLY nice accessory. I had a curved tabletop setup and cut out in a matter of a few minutes.


Here is a link to the catalogue, its the "workshop tooling catalogue" the tool is on page #55

http://www.felderusa.com/us-us/free-catalog.html?__utma=1.1502199595.1301593834.130159 3834.1301593834.1&__utmb=1.2.10.1301593834&__utmc=1&__utmx=-&__utmz=1.1301593834.1.1.utmcsr=felderusa.com|utmcc n=%28referral%29|utmcmd=referral|utmcct=/products_details.php&__utmv=-&__utmk=196843820

Try that link again? If I follow your instructions, I find shaper cutters for making windows.

[Erik France]

Try that link again? If I follow your instructions, I find shaper cutters for making windows.
Check the next page it's on 57 of the online catalog (55 down in the lower right corner)

[Jeff Monson]

Check the next page it's on 57 of the online catalog (55 down in the lower right corner)

Thanks Erik, pretty much the way my day is going, "off by a page"