Anyone using LMI's fret slotting templates

[simso]

http://www.lmii.com/products/tools-serv ... -templates

Hey folks, is anyone using these poly carbonate units, if so how well are they lasting up to the indexing pins.

I ask because I currently laser cut mine out of mdf as required, after about 10 boards the pin slots start to wear and I just bin the board and make another one, for the common fretboard sizes I use stainless and out source the manufacture of these ones, as I cannot laser cut stainless

But if these are hard wearing, I might consider switching over to them, as I can cut them with the laser

Steve

[Allen]

I make my own out of perspex. I've cut at least 100 on the tenor and concert scales with no sign of wear at all.

[Kim]

You could just cut a plug in the MDF, or whatever, and then re-fill with a stainless insert.

[simso]

Mdf is like 30 cents a piece, takes laser 4 minutes to cut, not worth the trouble for doing all of that

[peter.coombe]

I have the LMI mandolin template and a guitar template. So far no sign of wear. Have not used the guitar template much, but the mandolin template has probably cut around 50 boards.

Peter

[simso]

Cool, Ill cut my next one out of perspex or poly and see how it fairs

Thanks

[Lutherie Gervais]

I have, and they are not showing any signs of wear.

I also pay attention to my tools and jigs, this one is pretty important. Think about it ...

[demonx]

I've got mostly the stewmac metal ones, but my most used template is perspex.

I just treat it with a bit of extra care and it's not showing any sign of wear.

I make an extra effort not to drag the corners on the locating pin etc whereas with the metal one I can just smash it in.

[kiwigeo]

Mdf is like 30 cents a piece, takes laser 4 minutes to cut, not worth the trouble for doing all of that

Can't you cut the slots with the laser??

[simso]

Yes, you can, but the wood is slightly burnt and would require a follow up with a fretting saw to clean the slots, far quicker to use the power saw upstairs, if it was a fan fret arrangement it would possibly be worth doing this way

[Kim]

Mdf is like 30 cents a piece, takes laser 4 minutes to cut, not worth the trouble for doing all of that

Just say'in Stevo, the problem you sighted with MDF was it's longevity. More specifically the quick wear of the guide's reference pin holes.

A small 5c piece sized insert of some harder material epoxied in place to accept the reference pin hole would solve that problem....diamond would be good

[simso]

I getcha, makes sense, but requires effort on my part,

I cut a Perspex one today, so I'll see how long it lasts, hopefully a long time.