Templates - what to use?

You should be able to find hardboard at Home Depot if you have one near by. They sell it in 1/4 and full sheets where I live. Normally 1/4 inch thick.

-- We must guard our enthusiasm as we would our life - James Krenov

It should be in the same area where the pegboard is sold.

As far as templates go I also use 1/2 inch mdf since it is fairly cheap.

-- With God's help all things are possible- even woodworking. Woodworking is not just a hobby, it is an (expletive deleted) expensive hobby.

I prefer MDF as well. More room for the bearing to ride.

-- We must guard our enthusiasm as we would our life - James Krenov

The Home Depot near me has two different thicknesses of hardboard (I think they are 3/16 and 1/4), but I agree with Scott and Wayne – 1/2 inch MDF is fairly cheap and more versatile.

-- last night I played a blank tape at full volume - the mime next door went nuts!

I used to use 1/4 plywood, but I’ve started using 1/2 MDF which is a lot sturdier and easier to work with.

-- When you give someone a chance it may well be their last.

i perfer 1/2” MDF but hardboard is i think like a beefed-up cardboard. its what pegboards are made out of but they paint it or put something else on it to make it look pretty. i can usually get it in both 1/4” and 1/8”

You are much better using MDF (Medium Density Fibre board over plywood, no warp, great for future storage, does not splinter, and can be painted. MDF will be around for a long time should you wish to duplicate your project, just mark the templates you have made and duplication is a snap.

Use 1/4 or 3/8 MDF and you will save a bundle. Many store sell it in 2×4 sheets making handling easier.

Good Luck

-- Jeff T in Westport CT.

Hard board is also referred to as tempered board, I think.

-- Bill - If I knew GRANDKIDS were so much fun I would have had them first.

Hardboard is made from compressed wood fibers. It always has one side Tempered and sometimes both.
It’s tempered by soaking the side to be tempered in Linseed oil and applying pressure and heat.
The tempered side is nice and hard and smooth.

I use it all the time.

Any home center will have it. It’s dark brown.

-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.

Hardboard =’s Masonite where I live the same stuff as pegboard but no holes.

-- Only the Shadow knows....................

I prefer 1/8” or 1/4” MDF for templates that won’t be used again, or will be used infrequently. 1/2” or 3/4” MDF or Baltic Birch for patterns and templates that I will use often. I like the Baltic birch because it is at least as dimensionally stable as MDF, but won’t wear in the areas where bearings, etc.. contact it as quickly/easily as MDF. It is ‘spensif though…
I only use hardboard in a pinch if I have nothing else available. It is usually dark, and you can’t see pencil lines/markings as well, and it smells funky – like chocolate flavored coffee or something – when you cut it. I don’t want anything to smell like that except chocolate flavored coffee …

Regards, JM

-- Jarrod, Eagle Nest, NM http://anthologyfinefurniture.wordpress.com

I use both hardboard and MDF in the 1/4” thickness. WARNING: they both turn to crap with a little water. So keep ‘em dry and they’ll last a great long while. A coating of some sort works too. I specifically use the prefinished hardboard to make story poles, templates and jigs. It’s a nice semi-gloss white. Great stuff but wear a good mask as the dust is nasty when either cutting or sanding.

always,
J.C.

-- "Imagination is more important than knowledge" -- Albert Einstein

I have found that MDF is incredibly easy to sand and refine to make a perfect template.