| You've just purchased a set of guitar plans and are | | | | or colored chalk begin to trace or mark over the line of |
| ready to get started building your guitar. But you don't | | | | the guitar shape and sound hole. This does not need to |
| want to cut or damage your original paper plans to | | | | be pretty or precise just make sure it is thick in width |
| build the templates. What do you do? | | | | and over the necessary lines. When you are done |
| Yes, you can easily make extra copies by going to a | | | | take a tissue paper and lightly wipe off the excess |
| copy store but some of those drawings have | | | | charcoal or chalk. |
| copyrights attached to them, and we do not want to | | | | Step 3 - Now you are ready to make your carbon |
| infringe on those laws. This simple yet traditional | | | | copy. Position the poster board (or thin cardboard) |
| procedure of making templates will work in any | | | | securely on a table. Then overlay it with the guitar plan |
| situation you are in and in your own shop. | | | | with the charcoal side face down making contact to |
| Materials You Will Need - Here are the things you will | | | | the poster board. Next, secure the guitar plan to the |
| need to create the template. You probably already | | | | poster board with the masking tape. Begin easily |
| have them on hand. | | | | tracing over the guitar shape and sound hole with your |
| - A pair of scissors or hobby knife for cutting | | | | pencil. There is no need to press hard because the |
| - Charcoal pencil or colored chalk for carbon copy | | | | charcoal will transfer with just light pressure. |
| - Masking tape | | | | Step 4 - When you're done tracing over the guitar |
| - A pencil to trace and mark | | | | outline, gently remove the tape and lift the plan away |
| - Template material like thin cardboard or a thick | | | | from the poster board. Now that the outline is visible on |
| poster board. | | | | the poster board, take a minute to darken the line with |
| Step 1 - Prepare to transfer the guitar shape to the | | | | your pencil. |
| poster board. This technique is called making a carbon | | | | Step 5 - Now it is time to cut out your template. Using |
| copy. Take the guitar plans and place it face down | | | | a pair of scissors or a hobby knife, cut out the shape |
| over a white surface on a table, if you can not see the | | | | of the guitar. Take time with your cutting to avoid any |
| lines clearly then take the plans and put it face down | | | | rough edges. Remember, this is your template, and you |
| on a lighted background. This can be on a lighted table | | | | want it nice and smooth. |
| or against a window in you shop during the day. The | | | | Your guitar template is now complete just repeat the |
| point is that you want to clearly see the lines on the | | | | process for the neck, bracing patterns, side panels, and |
| front when looking at the backside of the plans. | | | | other templates as you have need of them. |
| Step 2 - Trace over the lines. Using the charcoal pencil | | | | |