FHB Logo Facebook LinkedIn Email Pinterest Twitter Instagram Plus Icon Close Icon Navigation Search Icon Navigation Search Icon Arrow Down Icon Video Guide Icon Article Guide Icon Modal Close Icon Guide Search Icon Skip to content
Subscribe

In every issue you'll find...

  • Expert insights on techniques and principles
  • Unbiased tool reviews
  • Step-by-step details to master the job
  • Field-tested advice and know-how
Subscribe Now!
Subscribe
  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Videos
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House
  • Podcast
  • Join
  • Log In
Subscribe
Tips & Techniques

Affixing a Router Template to a Finished Surface

Issue 172

In his article Inlaying a floor medallion, Charles Peterson showed a technique using double-face foam tape to hold a template in place for routing. I use a similar method to hold templates, which I think has some advantages. Double-face tape is very sticky and can damage finished surfaces. It’s so sticky that I’ve found it to be a do-or-die situation when positioning the template. There just isn’t any room for adjusting it.

As shown in the drawing, I use ordinary hot glue and masking tape for these applications. I cover the area under the template with a layer of 3M blue masking tape. Then I squeeze a line of hot glue around the perimeter of the template and stick it to the tape.

The router template in the drawing is made for outlet boxes that frequently need to be installed in kitchen-island cabinets. This technique beats trying to run a sabersaw on a lacquered surface right at the edge of a raised panel.

I have used this method on all kinds of materials, finished and unfinished, vertical, horizontal, and upside down. The blue tape prevents damage to finishes, and on raw wood, it keeps the glue out of the grain. If the template isn’t positioned correctly, I simply pull it off, scrape off the glue, and then try again. A hot-glue gun rides around in my router box for just this purpose.

Gregg Roos, San Francisco, CA

Sign up for the Fine Homebuilding Tip of the Day and get daily tips and special offers delivered to your inbox.

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters
×

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

New Feature

Fine Homebuilding Forums

Ask questions, offer advice, and share your work

View Comments

  1. jwinko | May 05, 2017 08:52am | #1

    THis is an insanely complex way to avoid accurate measurement and careful cutting.

  2. BobboMax | May 05, 2017 01:21pm | #2

    I disagree w/ jwinko- no doubt it's complex but when you're working on finished surfaces that you can't afford to mess up, I think it offers a lot.

    It doesn't avoid the requirement for careful measurement, but the ability to use a router gives the possibility for a lot more precision than a saber saw, both in terms of the quality and the location of the cut. And if you're going to use a router, you need a template. And if you use a template, you have to position it accurately and firmly, but without the possibility of damaging the substrate.

  3. ktkcad | Oct 25, 2019 06:13pm | #3

    Templates are a great way to leverage your original accurate measurements and promote careful cutting. Your measurements are now a one-time thing and the right template will never let you overcut.
    Its the real world's answer to 'cut & paste' or in this case 'glue and cut'...yes, pun intended.

Log in or create an account to post a comment.

Sign up Log in

Become a member and get full access to FineHomebuilding.com

More Tips & Techniques

View All
  • Cleaner Tile Demo
  • Handy Hose Holder
  • Pipe-Stand Bucket for Plumbing Jobs
  • Avoid Rotten Posts
View All

Up Next

Video Shorts

Featured Story

The Fine Homebuilding Interview: Emily Mottram

A Maine architect speaks about Pretty Good House and biophilic design principles that adapt to all climates.

Featured Video

How to Install Exterior Window Trim

Learn how to measure, cut, and build window casing made of cellular PVC, solid wood, poly-ash boards, or any common molding material. Plus, get tips for a clean and solid installation.

Related Stories

  • Simple Router Guide
  • How to Make Stepped Corbels with a Router Jig
  • How To Build a Craftsman-Style Fireplace Mantel
  • Scribing Rails to a Round Column

Discussion Forum

Recent Posts and Replies

  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
View More Create Post

Highlights

Fine Homebuilding All Access
Fine Homebuilding Podcast
Tool Tech
Plus, get an extra 20% off with code GIFT20

"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Video

View All
  • How to Use a Drywall Router
  • Mill Arched Trim with a Homemade Compass
  • Must-Have Router Jigs: Cut Clean, Straight Dadoes With this Simple Guide
  • Make an Inset Frieze or Panel Pattern with a Shop-Built Template
View All

Routers

View All Routers Articles
  • router guide
    Simple Router Guide
  • making stepped corbels
    How to Make Stepped Corbels with a Router Jig
  • Craftsman-Style Fireplace Mantel
    How To Build a Craftsman-Style Fireplace Mantel
  • Scribing Rails to a Round Column
View All Routers Articles

BOOKS, DVDs, & MERCH

Shop the Store
  • 2021 Fine Homebuilding Archive
    Buy Now
  • Outdoor Projects
    Buy Now
  • Code Check Building 4th Edition
    Buy Now
  • Pretty Good House
    Buy Now
  • Shop the Store

Fine Homebuilding Magazine

  • Issue 309 - Aug/Sept
    • 10 Steps to Install Crown Molding on Cabinets
    • How to Get Sturdy Walls Without OSB
    • Choosing the Right Construction Tape for the Job
  • Issue 308 - July 2022
    • Pretty Good House Book Excerpt: Copper Farmhouse
    • 10 Dos and Don'ts for Electric In-Floor Heat
    • A Sturdy Rail for Outdoor Stairs
  • Issue 307 - June 2022
    • How to Raise a Post-Frame Home
    • Trimming Deck Stairs
    • Evolving an Energy-Efficient Envelope
  • Issue 306 - April/May 2022
    • Framing Stairs to an Out-of-Level Landing
    • Building a Zero-Energy Home for Less
    • Good-Looking and Long-Lasting Traditional Gutters
  • Issue 305 - Feb/March 2022
    • The Steady Surge in Residential Solar
    • The Fine Homebuilding Interview: William B. Rose
    • How Good Is Your Air Barrier?

Fine Homebuilding

Follow

  • twitter
  • facebook
  • instagram
  • pinterest

Newsletter

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Membership & Magazine

  • Online Archive
  • Start Free Trial
  • Magazine Subscription
  • Magazine Renewal
  • Gift a Subscription
  • Customer Support
  • Privacy Preferences

Taunton Network

  • Green Building Advisor
  • Fine Woodworking
  • Fine Gardening
  • Threads
  • About
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Careers
  • Copyright
  • Terms of Use
  • Site Map
  • Do not sell my information
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility
  • California Privacy Rights

© 2022 The Taunton Press, Inc. All rights reserved.

X
X
This is a dialog window which overlays the main content of the page. The modal window is a 'site map' of the most critical areas of the site. Pressing the Escape (ESC) button will close the modal and bring you back to where you were on the page.

Main Menu

  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Video
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Reader Projects
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Account

  • Log In
  • Join

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Popular Topics

  • Kitchens
  • Business
  • Bedrooms
  • Roofs
  • Architecture and Design
  • Green Building
  • Decks
  • Framing
  • Safety
  • Remodeling
  • Bathrooms
  • Windows
  • Tilework
  • Ceilings
  • HVAC

Magazine

  • Current Issue
  • Past Issues
  • Magazine Index
  • Subscribe
  • Online Archive
  • Author Guidelines

All Access

  • Member Home
  • Start Free Trial
  • Gift Membership

Shop the Store

  • Books
  • DVDs
  • Taunton Workshops

More

  • FHB Ambassadors
  • Reader Projects
  • Podcast
  • Customer Support

Account

  • Log In
  • Join

Newsletter

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Follow

  • twitter
  • facebook
  • instagram
  • pinterest

Join All Access

Become a member and get instant access to thousands of videos, how-tos, tool reviews, and design features.

Start Your Free Trial

Subscribe

FHB Magazine

Start your subscription today and save up to 70%

Subscribe

We hope you’ve enjoyed your free articles. To keep reading, become a member today.

Get complete site access to expert advice, how-to videos, Code Check, and more, plus the print magazine.

Start your FREE trial

Already a member? Log in