The fastest manual templating system.
To repeat a shape or component accurately is traditionally a very time consuming
business - usually involving pinning your workpiece to the template or double
side taping the two together, then holding the two components down to your
bench before routing. This method also means unnecessary time cleaning up
or even filling the holes in the component. 
- Mark out
and cut out the component or shape you wish to copy from a
nonporous material i.e. melamine chipboard, veneered/sealed MDF. The ideal
thickness is 18mm or 1/3 ² inch.
- Ensure that
the edge of your template is smooth for the cutter bearing to
run on. Any irregularities could otherwise be copied onto your workpiece.
Time spent on preparation of your template is always a wise investment.
- Apply a single
strip of self-adhesive gasket material (supplied) round the
edge of your template 2-3mm from its edge.
- Drill an
8mm air extraction hole through the template
- Position
the template on your workpiece, draw round your template and
rough cut your workpiece to within 2-3mm of your template line. (Band or
Jig
saws are ideal)
- Position
the template on your Mach covering as many cells completely as
possible ensuring that the air extraction hole is directly above an active
cell. This allows the air to be sucked from beneath the workpiece and the
template locking them together. Check that the workpiece position allows
for
an overhang on every side.
- Turn the
vacuum control tap ON and press the workpiece onto the template
holding them together for a second or two allowing the vacuum seal to form
and the air to be removed from between the two components.
- Prepare your
Router - fitting a bottom bearing trimmer cutter and setting
the depth stop to allow the bearing to run along the centre of the template
edge.
- Before starting
your cutting pass re-check that the template and
workpiece are secure
- Slowly route
round the workpiece, a single cutting pass should be
sufficient unless you need to trim of an overhang which exceeds a few mm¹s
in which case a second pass may be required
This new method allows work to be held exposing the full edge profile of the board for full-edge moulding, even work that could not be held directly onto the Mach can now be secured.
As with normal workpiece, templates or jigs that overhang the Mach platen should be supported.
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