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Pattern making? http://www-.luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10102&t=7628	Page 1 of 1

Author:	af_one [ Fri Jul 21, 2006 10:57 am ]
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This may sound pretty basic, and I know many of you probably use jigs moreso, but I'm still building in very small numbers. I was thinking about making some patterns from a set of plans I have. Mainly sides etc, question is?? Is the best way, to cut them from the blueprint and trace onto the pattern material? What material is best and practical for patterns? I was thinking hardbaord? Maybe sheetmetal, but that would be more dissicult to work with? Thanks in advance

Author:	RussellR [ Fri Jul 21, 2006 11:01 am ]
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I like to use a clear material so you can see through them to help you position on the best part of your wood. I use 2/3mm Acrylic sheet then you can just lay it on your plan and trace onto the acrylic.

Author:	SniderMike [ Fri Jul 21, 2006 11:09 am ]
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I prefer "lexan" or polycarbonate. Same thing. They work much easier than acrylic and don't melt like it does. Plastic supply stores sometimes sell scaps of lexan and acrylic for very cheap. Mike

Author:	rlabbe [ Fri Jul 21, 2006 11:10 am ]
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I like to keep my blueprints, so I use really thin paper to trace the pattern. Glue that to the pattern sheet with some spray 3M glue, then cut the pattern out to the line. I suppose a bit of error can creep in that way, but just looking for a smooth outline for the guitar, not a pattern that is exact to 1/100" (which you can't do anyway, since the paper of the blueprint may change size with humidity). I just use no void ply, but I like Russell's acrylic suggestion.

Author:	Darin Spayd [ Fri Jul 21, 2006 1:06 pm ]
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What's the best way to machine Lexan? Also, is there a clear, thin vinyl that's heavy enough to trace, but something to be rolled up for storage?

Author:	Pwoolson [ Fri Jul 21, 2006 2:29 pm ]
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Darin, mylar or vellum works great for that. Art supply stores will have it.

Author:	Michael McBroom [ Fri Jul 21, 2006 4:03 pm ]
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What Mike said. I use lexan for my templates. I buy mine at a plastics shop, just rummage through their scrap bins till I find the size I need. I transfer the outline to a piece of paper big enough for the template, then cut the paper out to the outline. Then I scribe the exact outline onto the lexan with an exacto knife. I cut the pattern close to its exact dimensions on my bandsaw and then use a 1-1/2" drum sanding bit chucked up in my drill press to sand down to the lines. Best, Michael

Author:	Billy T [ Fri Jul 21, 2006 6:30 pm ]
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[quote=Darin Spayd]What's the best way to machine Lexan? [/quote] I have found that using very slow speeds, light pressure and just a touch of cutting oil work great on cutting acrylic. It melts very easily at high speed, but a router can be used, of course, it's just not as clean of a cut.

Author:	Jimmie D [ Sat Jul 22, 2006 3:53 am ]
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Lexan here, some out of UHMW because I can get scraps at work. I have made some out of 1/4" plywood, but like the lexan better.Jimmie D38920.5380208333

Author:	bob J [ Sun Jul 23, 2006 9:41 pm ]
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Where can I purchase Lexan or polycarbonate-best and cheapest? Thanks,

Author:	KiwiCraig [ Mon Jul 24, 2006 11:30 am ]
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I made a new acrylic template ( couldn't get anything else locally,,,,, Lexan,,,, isn't that a car ?? ), to acommodate my newer rounded tail version of my existing pattern . I already find the see though thing to be handy. I must make mention of my original drawing. I purchased some U-Beaut tracing paper to make my plan . The tracing paper has a plastic look about it .Yeh,, that'll look cool , I felt . So, I set to , and finished with a really neat and tidy plan. I stood back admiring my handywork with an air of pride .Now that's a great start to this project , I thought to myself. By chance , acouple of days later , I lay my new template on my fabulous drawing to find a 1/4 " difference . Now I know that paper can grow and shrink with humidity changes , but I didn't expect that much. Makes this " fabulous drawing" very unfabulous . Just thought I'd mention it to others . Hey guys !,,,,,,,,,be careful out there Cheers Kiwi

Author:	Darin Spayd [ Mon Jul 24, 2006 1:28 pm ]
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Paul and Billy, It's been a couple of days since I've been here. Just wanted to say thanks for the input!

Author:	bob J [ Mon Jul 24, 2006 7:49 pm ]
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Thanks Todd

Author:	Dave White [ Mon Jul 24, 2006 9:05 pm ]
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[QUOTE=KiwiCraig] By chance , acouple of days later , I lay my new template on my fabulous drawing to find a 1/4 " difference . Now I know that paper can grow and shrink with humidity changes , but I didn't expect that much. Makes this " fabulous drawing" very unfabulous . Just thought I'd mention it to others . Hey guys !,,,,,,,,,be careful out there Cheers Kiwi[/QUOTE] Craig, Didi you use quartersawn of flatsawn acrylic

Author:	KiwiCraig [ Mon Jul 24, 2006 11:00 pm ]
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,,,,,,,,,,,,,Brazilian ! Regards ,Kiwi

Author:	Todd Rose [ Tue Jul 25, 2006 12:33 am ]
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[QUOTE=Michael McBroom] I transfer the outline to a piece of paper big enough for the template, then cut the paper out to the outline. Then I scribe the exact outline onto the lexan with an exacto knife. [/QUOTE] Michael, when you say you "transfer the outline to a piece of paper", do you mean that you just trace it, or --?

Author:	Mark Tripp [ Tue Jul 25, 2006 12:48 am ]
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I draw or trace everything to a piece of vellum, then stick it to my template material (lexan or 1/4 in. service tempered hardboard) with spray adhesive. then just cut close to the line, and finish with files, scrapers, and sandpaper. -Mark

Author:	Michael McBroom [ Tue Jul 25, 2006 1:58 am ]
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[QUOTE=Todd Rose] [QUOTE=Michael McBroom] I transfer the outline to a piece of paper big enough for the template, then cut the paper out to the outline. Then I scribe the exact outline onto the lexan with an exacto knife. [/QUOTE] Michael, when you say you "transfer the outline to a piece of paper", do you mean that you just trace it, or --?[/QUOTE] Hi Todd, Well, I was a bit vague on that because I've done it a few different ways. Yes, I've traced outlines onto paper from a set of plans. I also have a plywood template of the ex-Segovia '37 Hauser, that I cut from a template that a friend of mine has, and then transferred the outline from my template onto lexan. And I've also used the 'half-pencil' trick to make direct tracings of a couple of guitars I own onto paper. Best, Michael

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