Guiding a flush trim router bit along a good template allows you to accurately cut a single piece or many identical parts. Ready-made templates are available for certain applications, but you can also make your own. If you have ever had difficulty making your own router template, then a tool like the Kurvenlinfix flexible router guide might be the answer you are looking for.
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To use the Kurvenlinfix, roughly cut out your template out of plywood, MDF, or whatever you are using as your template material, but leave the cut line visible. Then, screw the Kurvenlinfix guide on top of your template-to-be, and align it along your template guideline.
Finally, you just follow the resulting guide with your router to complete the template. The bearing of a trim router bit tracks against the Kurvenlinfix edge and leaves your template with a precise and clean edge.
Fisch Tools, an Austrian company, doesn’t elaborate on what material they use to manufacture the Kurvenlinfix; they just say they it is a “highly elastic” plastic. But, since the guide is meant to be reused to help make multiple router templates, it should be durable too.
Reinforced mounting holes are equally spaced and span the entire length of each Kurvenlinfix guide. This, and the guide’s flexible nature allows you to make slight positional tweaks incrementally so that the guide follows your template guideline as closely as possible.
Fisch Tools sells two models of the Kurvenlinfix in several different lengths. Around 1/2″ wide, the red “mini” is the thinner model. It is used to fit tighter curves and comes in lengths of 600mm (nearly 24″), 1200mm (nearly 48″), 1800mm (nearly 72″) and 2400mm (nearly 96″). My German is a bit rusty, but I believe the last two are special order.
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The blue models are thicker, measuring about 3/4″ wide, and are made to fit more sweeping curves. They sell the blue models in 1, 2, and 3 meter lengths (~3, 6, 9 ft).
The Kurvenlinfix isn’t cheap. The shortest red “mini” will run you about $45 before shipping while the shortest blue model runs $85.
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Besides making templates, I wonder if a product like this might be useful for scribing cabinets, counter tops, trim work, etc as long as you had access to the under/back side where screw holes would not show. You’d just scribe your line, attach the Kurvenlinfix along the line, and take off the excess with a router.
Here’s a video demo that shows how the Kurvenlinfix are used:
Kevin Nathanson
A quick heads-up:
CMT has a similar—like, most probably produced in the same factory identically similar—product for significantly less cost; about $52 for a 4′ section. It is the equivalent of the “red” version, only orange because, of course, it’s CMT.
Benjamen
But you don’t get to say Kurvenlinfix in a German accent :>)
Here’s an example of what Kevin is talking about:
http://www.amazon.com/CMT-TMP-1200-Flexible-Template-Routing/dp/B008AXXH54
RKA
Thanks guys! I had looked at the Fischer guides months ago, but the price was too high. The CMT are still high, but a little less painful.
RKA
Damn auto correct!
fred
Several drafting supply companies (Alvin, Helix, Staedtler, Photobook) and even MLCS offer flexible curves that offer some (not all) of the same features at a much lower price.
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=alvin+flexible+curve
Benjamen
The flexible curves you linked to are not suitable for as a router guide, they are for drawing the curve. There are alternatives thought, see above comment.
fred
I should have been more explicit when I said “some (not all) of the same features”. I use an Alvin 40 inch one for some scribing work – that doesn’t require a contour gauge or a compass to follow really irregular shapes. I bought it at a local Dick Blick Store for $16.59 less a 40% off coupon that they had as a holiday promotion. I added this to a 24 inch one that I had from Brookstone – bought about 30 years ago.
Benjamen
Sorry fred if I’m wrong, but I think we’ve got our wires crossed. I did talk about scribing as a possible use of the Kurvenlinfix but it can’t maintain its shape unless it is screwed in unlike the tools I think you are talking about which have a metal core that maintains the shape after you move it. I never thought about using one of the tools you are talking about for scribing — that is an excellent idea!
The main purpose of the Kurvenlinfix is to act as a router bit guide while you are cutting out a template. Again if I’m wrong please let me know how you use your Alvin 40″ when you’re scribing.
fred
The metal core in the Alvin is OK – but not so immovable once set – that it will maintain shape against much force – but with a light touch it can be set to conform to a smooth compound curve – and then moved to transfer the line of the curve to a flat sheet – as in cutting a countertop around a curved object. Not an everyday task – but at the $10 or so I paid for the 40 inch Alvin – it paid for itself on its first use. Of course the same (only more so) can be said for the inexpensive pencil compass I typically use to scribe countertops etc. to irregular walls.
Stuart
I have an 18″ Staedtler, and with certain bends it won’t hold its shape very well. I would not trust a flexible drafting or drawing curve for transferring geometries – it’s simply not ideal for that. I don’t think I would or could use one of these for such purposes either.
NERemodeling
neat product
ktash
Very cool product. Next time I need to do this, I’ll probably get one, the CMT model, though I like the cool German name.
Greg Post
I have several flexible curves for design work but this is neat and better for woodworking, I want one.
Mkbrbkr
Wouldn’t an old rubber fan belt do the same thing?
Benjamen
That’s an interesting idea. First it would have to thick enough so that screws wouldn’t get in the way. Then it would have to be stiff enough so that it doesn’t deflect as the router bearing rolls along. I’d have do a little experimenting before I’d trust it.