Thread: Scale Templates

To you fellas who make scales! Do you keep templates around? and if so what do you make them out of?

There are only a few different sizes really, myself I keep the good side of a few broken sets as a "basic" template for the new ones.... I trace around that on the wood and cut it out a little larger then sand it down on a belt sander to the shape I want to use....

Originally Posted by gssixgun

There are only a few different sizes really, myself I keep the good side of a few broken sets as a "basic" template for the new ones.... I trace around that on the wood and cut it out a little larger then sand it down on a belt sander to the shape I want to use....

This is what I do as well. I happen to have a few standard shapes lying around as well (TI 5-6/8, Dovo 5-6/8, a few sheffield makers, a few from solingen). But I keep the actual scales around, not tracings. One day I hope to make a few router templates for fast cutouts and shaping, but I have not had the time or inclination to do so yet.

Originally Posted by gssixgun

There are only a few different sizes really, myself I keep the good side of a few broken sets as a "basic" template for the new ones.... I trace around that on the wood and cut it out a little larger then sand it down on a belt sander to the shape I want to use....

+1. I do the same generally. I'd rather free hand the exact final shape on each set anyway. I enjoy when they never turn out the same way twice (unless someone wants them that way).

I have quite a few sets that I cut out and liked the shape of, but then proceeded to trash one way or another while applying different finishes. I usually use these as templates.

I also have a few old vintage scales in various shapes that I'll use, depending on the blade length, width and tip style.

I've also considered making some nice templates out of plexiglass or something, but it's a low-priority project.

Josh