79.2X7.875" 3 Piece Growth Chart Inlay Acrylic Router Template Set
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Is this the worlds largest router template? It might be... but it's definitely the largest that we offer! We created this unique three piece modular template to empower woodworkers to quickly and efficiently create children's growth charts.
General Specifications:
- Combined Size: 79.2x7.875x0.25"
- 1/4" Laser Cut Cast Acrylic
- 1" Measurement Lines - 1 5/8" Wide
- 6" Measurement Lines - 2 3/8" Wide
- 12"/1' Measurement Lines - 3 1/4" Wide
- Numbers = 3 3/4" Tall, 1.4-3.0" Wide
- Max Chart Height = 78" (6'6")
Growth charts are one of the most popular and most profitable large format woodcraft projects to create. Parents can't resist a unique memento that not only looks good in their home, but holds sentimental value.
While other growth chart making template solutions exist on the market, they usually require you to detach and shift the template every 12" and swap out the number. While this saves cost, this takes a lot of time and introduces alignment issues and room for error.
This multi-piece template consists of three ~26x7.875" pieces made out of 1/4" cast acrylic that is precision laser cut here in our facility. Once combined and aligned with the help of the keyed interfaces on the ends, the template measures 79.2x7.875" and contains number markers up to 6'6" (78").
This game changer allows you to layout the entire growth chart at once and provides the confidence to know that you are going to have enough room to make it all fit. We recommend using two sided template tape (woodworkers tape) or low tack hot glue to hold down the template while you are routering it out. Be careful using excessing force or bending the template pieces too much during removal to avoid snapping the template. There are no warranties on damaged templates and we don't sell the pieces separately if you need to replace one!
Pocket Inlay Areas + Backfill With Epoxy Resin Or Paint By Hand
While we describe this set as a inlay template, it's not really for making wood inlays. The voids in the template are designed and sized to match a standard 3/8" outer diameter router bushing, which is often paired with a 1/4" router bit. Similar to using a flush trim bit with a bottom bearing, the bushing is what rides along the inside surface of the template walls, protecting the template from damage from the bit. The bit is set slightly lower, so it removes the material as you move your router through the voids in the template.
You can opt to use a 1/4" flush trim bit with a bottom mounted bearing and short cutter head (like the Amana Tool - 47224-S Miniature Flush Trim Plunge Template bit), however you will have to go over the voids in multiple passes as the width of the channels in the template are designed to fit the 3/8" diameter bushings. It's also riskier to use a flush trim bit with a bearing to do inlays like this (when compared to a router bushing and plunge router).
Once completed, you will want to hand paint or stain the pocketed areas. However, most people opt to backfill these pocketed sections with black epoxy resin and sand the entire project smooth.
Crafted Elements Acrylic Router Templates
The Crafted Elements line of laser cut acrylic router templates are precision cut templates designed especially for woodworkers. Unless you have access to a CNC machine in your shop these templates are the easiest, most accurate and most repeatable way to shape wood and wood+resin pieces into things like charcuterie boards, serving trays, handles, functional art and more.
Like our line of maker molds, we designed these templates to save you time and boost production efficiency. These take the guesswork out of shaping and fabricating. By simply pulling one of these clear templates off the shelf and lining it up on your material you’ll instantly know how your final piece will look before you even start cutting and shaping.
We laser cut all of our templates out of long lasting and durable 1/4” thick cast acrylic to ensure the bearing on your router bit has enough surface area to glide on. These templates can be used over and over and will quickly become a go-to tool in your shop.
Reduce errors, inaccuracy and problems with making complex shapes perfectly symmetrical. We even have templates to match many of our awkwardly shaped silicone molds, so you can cut and shape pieces of wood to fit perfectly snug within our molds before you pour your resin.
All you need is a template, flush trim router bit (like this one) and a router table. Even the most basic routers are capable of shaping materials up to 1.5” thick.
Using our templates is easy:
- Place the template over your material (usually wood or wood & epoxy resin). Trace the shape of the template onto your piece.
- Using a jig saw, scroll saw or a band saw (where appropriate) cut out the rough shape you traced onto your material, leaving between 1/16” and ¼” outside of the perimeter.
- Affix the template to your material using two sided tape or hot glue.
- Install your appropriately sized flush trim bit into the router in your router table such as the Crafted Elements 1/4" High Performance Spiral Down Cut Flush Trim Bit. Be sure your router bit has a blade long enough for the height of your material. Line up the bearing of your router bit with the acrylic template.
- Turn on your router and glide the template along the bearing of your router bit, allowing the router to remove the excess material on your piece, effectively duplicating the shape of the router template.
- Carefully remove the template from your material. Remove the two sided tape or hot glue. Sand any leftover residue off of your project. You can use goo-gone or other adhesive remover on the acrylic templates for any stubborn or sticky residue.
We also have a full tutorial on our YouTube channel which you can find posted below: