I've planed and sanded it but can't get it quite a good as the other edge. How perfect do I need to be?

@russ I’ve made a few but not really happy with any of them, I’ve still managed to make decent necks though. I’ve ended up using the straight edge of something as a router guide and routed the straight edges of the template. I’m going to make another one soon as I’ve recently acquired some excellent straight edge material for all my straight edge needs. So long as you are really accurate with marking the measurements out, the router method should work a treat. 

When I cut mine I one edge was the edge of the sheet of MDF so it was flat - the other I got as flat as I could when I cut it and then I sanded it on a long strip of sticky sand paper - mine is about 900mm long.

Does anyone allow any extra on the template to allow for sanding? I wonder how much shaping and finish sanding will take off, but with a neck even a millimetre can make a difference (it's a regret of my one previous build to date, the name came out just a little bit too narrow).

I’ve ended up using the straight edge of something as a router guide and routed the straight edges of the template.

Cheers @boo. Sounds like a good idea. 

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@frocesterbill. Thanks Bill. That's how I tried to do it but I guess I'll just have to get better at planing and sanding. 

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Does anyone allow any extra on the template to allow for sanding

@jonhodgson. Hi Jonathan, I used the measurements that Mark suggest. Just wish I had his skills to make it too. 

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@russ

i think this was discussed on one of the live streams and Mark suggested using car body filler which works very well, sticks ok and is easy to sand. My favourite is chemical metal brand from Halfords. It's much harder to sand so you have to put a fairly smooth layer down and build up deep bits in stages. I like it because of the hardness which is better for router bearings. Put some masking tape all along top or bottom to stop it spreading round the edge. After that a good quality bit of scrap kitchen work top makes a very good flat surface with some 80 grit stuck down. Rub gently and keep checking with a straight edge. I've got loads but nobody lives near me.

On the last live stream Mark glued the finger board on to the neck first before final neck shaping so maybe you don't need to be too fussy, certainly leave a bit on the neck for finishing.

i think this was discussed on one of the live streams and Mark suggested using car body filler which works very well, sticks ok and is easy to sand

Cheers @rocknroller912. I might try and give it a go. 

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I struggled for a while, trying to create properly accurate - straight - edges.

You generally need a straight edge before you can create a straight edge ... or you have to be reasonably adept with the plane or have a long (flat!) sanding block.

One tip I was given ...

From-the-shop, the edges of MDF sheets are generally pretty straight (though double check!).  Use one edge of the sheet as one of the straight edges of your template, mark and then rough cut the other side of your template into the MDF sheet.

Then, use another - uncut - edge of the MDF sheet as the guide for a bearing guided router cutter to straighten up the rough cut edge of the template.

Once you've got a perfectly template with perfectly straight edges, make a copy of it, and never use the original (unless to make another copy).

My trouble has always been that I don’t have any truly flat surfaces anywhere. Even my kitchen worktops are not completely flat. My wife caught me checking them for flatness and figured out why, she said NO! 

This is the importance of having a proper work bench with a truly flat and level top. My current bench is made up of an old pallet and bits of 3x2 for the legs and structure. Over time it has sagged, bowed and warped. I want (NEED) a top that is made up of lots of 3x2s all glued together so the top is really thick and planed dead flat, checked with straight edges and levelled with spirit levels. Mounted on a solid structure, that work bench will make everything much easier to achieve, it’s half the battle trying to keep everything straight and flat. With woodwork right now, I wing it and hope for the best. I’m fed up with it, my next big thing is a proper work bench so making templates and other flat and straight things will be a breeze. 

You generally need a straight edge before you can create a straight edge

Cheers @tv101. I'm going to give it another go. 

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my next big thing is a proper work bench

@boo. 😁 

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^^^ I've got one of one of those @Russ.

I've got one of one of those

@tv101. Very Nice........ Very Jealous. 

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Very Nice........ Very Jealous. 

@Russ - "one of one of those" ... not necessarily the workbench one

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"one of one of those" ... not necessarily the workbench one

@tv101. As soon as I responded I did think you might be referring to Janis. 🤣 

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@tv101.........or is it a Merc? 🤣🤔 

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or is it a Merc?

Yup.  I'm of that age now ... 

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Yup.  I'm of that age now ... 

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@tv101. I'd prefer your old Mark1 Escort. 🤣😁🚗