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Post by rockjunquie on Feb 9, 2023 8:21:35 GMT -5
I have been making my homemade templates one way for a long time. They come out alright, but they take forever to make. So, if you have a sheet of paper with drawings of shapes on them, how do you turn that into a template?
I have been using the dollar store flexible cutting board for templates, but the dollar store doesn't carry it anymore... and it's not a dollar anymore. I found some cheap ones on Amazon- still not a buck, but cheap. I am hoping that "cheap" means a little thinner because that stuff is hard to cut.
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Post by vegasjames on Feb 9, 2023 9:20:58 GMT -5
I have cut out patterns using the plastic clamshells they pack tools and stuff in. Although plexiglass sheets are thicker and better and not that expensive. I would print out the patterns on solid label sheets so the sheets can be applied to the plexiglass, then use a Dremel with a saw tip to cut the patterns out or a bandsaw.
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Post by rockjunquie on Feb 9, 2023 9:24:19 GMT -5
I have cut out patterns using the plastic clamshells they pack tools and stuff in. Although plexiglass sheets are thicker and better and not that expensive. I would print out the patterns on solid label sheets so the sheets can be applied to the plexiglass, then use a Dremel with a saw tip to cut the patterns out or a bandsaw. I don't trust myself to jigsaw plexiglass! Paper and exacto is difficult enough.  |
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Post by hummingbirdstones on Feb 9, 2023 10:02:24 GMT -5
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Post by rockjunquie on Feb 9, 2023 10:04:50 GMT -5
Crap- the link doesn't work. |
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gunsil
spending too much on rocks
Member since January 2023
Posts: 345
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Post by gunsil on Feb 9, 2023 10:12:31 GMT -5
Not sure what you are referring to? Templates for rocks? Templates for jewelry designs? I make a series of sterling earrings and when I get the design drawn out I first cut my design in sheet brass and then have my template to make as many more as I like. I use a hand held jeweler's saw to do so. The jeweler's saw also works easily on thin stiff plastic or plexi, much more control than a power jig saw.
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Post by rockjunquie on Feb 9, 2023 10:14:27 GMT -5
Not sure what you are referring to? Templates for rocks? Templates for jewelry designs? I make a series of sterling earrings and when I get the design drawn out I first cut my design in sheet brass and then have my template to make as many more as I like. I use a hand held jeweler's saw to do so. The jeweler's saw also works easily on thin plastic or plexi. Sorry. I thought that because this was in the Cabochons section it would be evident what I meant. But, thanks for the jewelry tip. |
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Post by hummingbirdstones on Feb 9, 2023 10:26:19 GMT -5
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Post by rockjunquie on Feb 9, 2023 10:28:22 GMT -5
Thanks! That would certainly be easier to cut! |
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Post by Drummond Island Rocks on Feb 9, 2023 10:54:32 GMT -5
I am itching to get a 3D printer. I wonder if one of those would work for templates? One of my favorite templates I use was custom made by someone that made the drawing and had it laser cut from a sheet of really hard plastic. It is now broke in a few spots and not replaceable.
Chuck
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gunsil
spending too much on rocks
Member since January 2023
Posts: 345
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Post by gunsil on Feb 9, 2023 10:56:06 GMT -5
Not sure what you are referring to? Templates for rocks? Templates for jewelry designs? I make a series of sterling earrings and when I get the design drawn out I first cut my design in sheet brass and then have my template to make as many more as I like. I use a hand held jeweler's saw to do so. The jeweler's saw also works easily on thin plastic or plexi. Sorry. I thought that because this was in the Cabochons section it would be evident what I meant. But, thanks for the jewelry tip. Sorry, I didn't notice that. Maybe because I'm a metalsmith if I wished to make more than one cab design in multiples that were close to identical I'd make a brass template too. Not an internal template like the template sheets but an external template and scribe or pen around the outside rather than the inside of my template. So far i just draw my design on a slab if I want to make a cab that's not a common shape. |
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Post by liveoak on Feb 9, 2023 11:02:13 GMT -5
Tela I found my vinyl cutter will cut 7 mil Mylar & I made pages of templates with it. You don't have to cut them out- it does.
Maybe you know someone that has one, although I got mine used pretty cheap.
It's an older model, but it does great, one of the better things I've bought .
Patty
PS- I like to use the clear Mylar as you can easily see where you need to place the template.
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Post by chris1956 on Feb 9, 2023 11:02:28 GMT -5
I have used old style overhead projector transparency sheets. You can print directly to these with a laser printer. Then I cut them out with an exacto knife. Only problem is that they are very thin and flexible so you have to be careful when marking your rocks. The mylar sheets are probably better and I will have to try that or the plastic from products.
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Post by Drummond Island Rocks on Feb 9, 2023 11:07:08 GMT -5
Tela I found my vinyl cutter will cut 7 mil Mylar & I made pages of templates with it. You don't have to cut them out- it does.
Maybe you know someone that has one, although I got mine used pretty cheap.
It's an older model, but it does great, one of the better things I've bought .
Patty
I just recently learned that our public library has one of those and Cricut machines that can be used. Something new they are doing. I think they even have some fancy sewing machines and 3D printers in the same room. All free to use just have to reserve a time and pay for materials. Chuck |
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Post by Drummond Island Rocks on Feb 9, 2023 11:09:01 GMT -5
Sorry. I thought that because this was in the Cabochons section it would be evident what I meant. But, thanks for the jewelry tip. Sorry, I didn't notice that. Maybe because I'm a metalsmith if I wished to make more than one cab design in multiples that were close to identical I'd make a brass template too. Not an internal template like the template sheets but an external template and scribe or pen around the outside rather than the inside of my template. So far i just draw my design on a slab if I want to make a cab that's not a common shape. That method sounds like the template covers the area to be cabbed. That would take some getting used to. I am constantly moving templates around a millimeter at a time to find the perfect capture. Not sure I would like not being able to see. Chuck |
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hoolligan1938
spending too much on rocks
Member since January 2022
Posts: 253
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Post by hoolligan1938 on Feb 9, 2023 11:12:10 GMT -5
I guess I'm lucky because my wife makes items out of polymer clay. I decide what pattern I need, like for a pendant or whatever, and she makes it out of polymer clay, bakes it in the toaster oven for a few minutes and walla, I have a template. Don't know if this helps you but it works.
Jim
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Post by liveoak on Feb 9, 2023 11:13:49 GMT -5
I just recently learned that our public library has one of those and Cricut machines that can be used. Something new they are doing. I think they even have some fancy sewing machines and 3D printers in the same room. All free to use just have to reserve a time and pay for materials. Chuck That's a great resource - we don't have libraries like that around here. How wonderful.
Patty
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khara
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2022
Posts: 1,980
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Post by khara on Feb 9, 2023 12:38:03 GMT -5
I am slowly working on this same project! I looked at a bunch of Mylar online and was trying to decide on thickness when I found some plastic here at home I’ll try first. The link above is 10 mil so that’s good to know. I wasn’t sure how easily that thicker material would be to cut so I kept wavering back and forth between mil thicknesses. Like I said my progress is slow. I’ve found the thick plastic I already had and I’ve also pulled out a heated wood burning tool. It has some cutting tips. When I was reading reviews online people were saying the thicker Mylar was difficult to cut well with an exacto knife so I thought I’d try this heated one. Haven’t done it yet so I can’t report any outcome but if you are working on this project today and have one of these wood burning tools with many tips maybe it’s an option to try?
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Post by rockjunquie on Feb 9, 2023 12:52:39 GMT -5
I am itching to get a 3D printer. I wonder if one of those would work for templates? One of my favorite templates I use was custom made by someone that made the drawing and had it laser cut from a sheet of really hard plastic. It is now broke in a few spots and not replaceable. Chuck I have some that a member here posted at Thingiverse (patterns for printer). It is only a few though. DH has a printer but doesn't know any of the software for it.  So, he can't make them for me. They do make good templates, though, and the older printers are pretty cheap now. I know you know CAD, so that may be an option for you if you were thinking of getting one anyway. |
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Post by rockjunquie on Feb 9, 2023 12:53:45 GMT -5
Tela I found my vinyl cutter will cut 7 mil Mylar & I made pages of templates with it. You don't have to cut them out- it does.
Maybe you know someone that has one, although I got mine used pretty cheap.
It's an older model, but it does great, one of the better things I've bought .
Patty
I just recently learned that our public library has one of those and Cricut machines that can be used. Something new they are doing. I think they even have some fancy sewing machines and 3D printers in the same room. All free to use just have to reserve a time and pay for materials. Chuck Nice library!! |
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So, he can't make them for me. They do make good templates, though, and the older printers are pretty cheap now. I know you know CAD, so that may be an option for you if you were thinking of getting one anyway.
