FESTOOL OF1010 and LETTER TEMPLATE

[justinmcf]

i really like using the OF1010, its a great little router. i am always thinking of new ways to use it and also make more money!
my latest brainwave is to buy a letter routing template. i have no experience with letter templates what so ever, but doing it freehand is slow and unprofessional.
i dont want the huge expense of cnc machines. i think a letter template would be fine for now.

does anyone have experience with letter routing templates?
which brand do you prefer?
any accessories you recommend buying?
how much do they cost?

i also want to make some timber systainers and router the festool brand name on the front and top of the box.
maybe festool should sell the letter templates as an accessory.......

regards, justin.

 

[jonny round boy]

If it helps, I have a SketchUp file I created of the Festool logo.

It's just a basic outline, but you can use the scale and offset tools to create a template to suit whatever bit & collar you're using.

Unfortunately, I can't attach an skp file, so I'll upload it to the warehouse later & post a link.

 

[woodshopdemos]

Justin,
go to YouTube.com and enter "wood sign making" and you will see a couple of millescraft products in use- letter templates and pantograph. The OF1010 is idea for any of these. You can also do freehand by printing out a computuer sign, spraymenting to your wood in the exact size,and "tracing the center of the letters with a V-groove bit. The key to doing this in hardwoods is to take very shallow cuts so that when you get to a grain-line  that there is little pressure by the router to come free from your grip. Then lower the router slightly and retrace the groove. Do this several times until you have the origianl tracing cut nicely.

 

[johnsonri]

Justin

I have a template holder and letter templates from Rockler. I believe that I paid somewhere between $25 & $30 for the whole package. It works pretty well.

I also sometimes use feather board jigs to assist with location and such. Here is a quick pic of what I am talking about.

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Regards
Rey