Pattern Paper

[GasNSteering]

What is everyone using to make patterns for items to be made from metal? I was trying to find paper sheets say 2 by 3 feet heavy stock but can't seem to find what I want. Suggestions?

 

[bullnerd]

Paper is so 80s!

All the cool kids have plasma tables now!

 

[Thumper68]

Paper is so 80s!

All the cool kids have plasma tables now!

Which is really nice for large runs but paper is still better for one offs and prototype fab.

I get mine at a local print shop, 30"x22" I don't remember the weight but it works well.

 

[Dan_inthewind]

Check out the local lumber centre. They have come out with a recycled paper to cover the flooring during construction. Nice heavy paper that will stand in the corner on its own so should be nice as pattern paper. Roughly 36 to 40 inch width and maybe as much as 12 feet long.

I am in Canada and the local RONA had it. Going to grab a roll next time in just to have.

Our RONA just got bought out by LOWEs so maybe they have something as well.

Good luck.

 

[astroracer]

I use all kinds of stuff. Foam core board, old filing folders, heavy cardboard, you name it.
Some of the patterns I've made:
Here is a console I am currently building for my '56 wagon. Foam core patterns.

This is a layout for the top. Foam core.

See the cardboard circles? Cupholders...
Mark

 

[bullnerd]

Which is really nice for large runs but paper is still better for one offs and prototype fab.

I get mine at a local print shop, 30"x22" I don't remember the weight but it works well.

LOL. I agree.

I either steal poster board from my kids or use the floor protector stuff that was mentioned. I usually have that stuff around. Also, if you work for a large company they have tons of cardboard/paper stuff being tossed everyday.

 

[A_Pmech]

Rosin Paper is readily available from any lumber yard or big box. It's cheap, comes on a roll and is relatively heavy.

 

[AndrewDouglasBird]

I use poster board from the dollar store. Comes in 3'x3' sheets, works great.

 

[RM209]

Try Costco or Sam's club. At the warehouse clubs they have various thicknesses of paper or cardboard that sit between the inventory that's stacked on pallets; it's used to hold the stock together. For example, the large cereal boxes have a sheet of heavy paper on each layer. Considering all of the cardboard boxes are free, I assume the cardboard sheets are free as well.

RM209

 

[jeepinerdeep]

1) Old manila file folders. 2) Anything else you can find for free.

 

[lbperry]

The foam core board that astroracer is using and is available at Hobby Lobby. Great stuff for mocking up structures for sheet metal.
Good Luck,

 

[steel 35]

Paper is so 80s!

All the cool kids have plasma tables now!

Some aren't cool they just wiggle to much and there Moma still won't let them play with scissors

 

[Alchymist]

Rosin Paper is readily available from any lumber yard or big box. It's cheap, comes on a roll and is relatively heavy.

A_Pmech nailed it. I keep a roll around for general shop use - put it under objects to be spray painted, roll it out on the bench to catch grease and oil, and especially handy under wood working projects for glue up. Lots of uses.

http://www.truevalue.com//catalog/p...-44622122499&gclid=CPTk2MeXqssCFQUMaQodq5oExw

 

[dr_clyde]

I get mine from a friend who is a paper salesman. Ask at the local newspaper or engineering print shop. They can put you in touch or just sell you some.

 

[ilovevocs]

I buy chip board from a local cardboard supplier. I get a few hundred sheets for $50.00.

Have seen the floor protection stuff on a roll and it seems like similar stuff. Just have one hell of a chipboard inventory left to burn up.

I'll even bend the chip board in my break when making templates; helps to confirm my back gauge measurements before making the first part out of sheet metal.


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[Jcrapola]

I use poster board from the dollar store. Comes in 3'x3' sheets, works great.

Yep. Poster board or Manila file folders. Get the legal size ones. It's cheap and easy. If you need to make bigger patterns use a stapler to "add" material.

 

[RAMBIN]

haha I thought I was the only cheap one that bought the white poster board at the dollar store...

 

[OccupantRJ]

Since my company uses many plastic injection molded tool handles, I use the white chip board separators between the layers of handles in the boxes, usually about 18x20 inches.

 

[EdT]

For small stuff I often just glue a copy of the drawing to the metal with rubber cement. For larger parts and limited repeats I am still working my way through a stack of big hanging file folders that they pitched at work years ago when they digitized all the drawings. They are made from "oak tag" which is a bit heavier and "harder" than manilla folders. For patterns that will be used many times I use countertop laminate. It is very durable, fairly quick to make and holds up very well. Takes a nice "crisp" edge and doesn't get dog eared like card stock. Sometimes on the card stock patterns I harden up the corners and hole center locations with super glue. Makes them last longer and you can get that hole the same just a little off every time. Have a few patterns made of sheet metal. One thing that everyone knows, but I'll mention it anyway, is that, regardless of the pattern material, you want the hole centers located, not the entire hole. That is, if the part needs a a 1/2" hole in it, the pattern only has a tiny hole to locate the center of the 1/2" hole. The hole center is transferred to the part using a punch through the pattern and then you make it 1/2" by a method of your choosing.

 

[nine4gmc]

I buy chip board from a local cardboard supplier. I get a few hundred sheets for $50.00.

Have seen the floor protection stuff on a roll and it seems like similar stuff. Just have one hell of a chipboard inventory left to burn up.

I'll even bend the chip board in my break when making templates; helps to confirm my back gauge measurements before making the first part out of sheet metal.


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This^. ULINE and others carry it.

 

[Richard Cranium]

Home Depoe has it in the roll, it is a rose color.

 

[PCustoms]

^^went to buy some kraft paper last week thinking I could crumple it for packing materials. Actually very heavy, would be good for templates. $11 in the paint department.

 

[OccupantRJ]

^^went to buy some kraft paper last week thinking I could crumple it for packing materials. Actually very heavy, would be good for templates. $11 in the paint department.

What we use for packing is called bugus paper, nothing more than unprinted newspaper sheets cut to size. We buy it by the pallet load.

 

[landrover bodger]

Leftover wallpaper works ok for basic patern making its free and on a roll so easy to store . I also use it on the bench for clean jobs

 

[harvey29]

I save old felpro gasket box's some are big some are small

 

[Iron-Iceberg]

Ram board.
Works great

 

[Alchymist]

I save old felpro gasket box's some are big some are small

I save the larger cereal boxes and Ritz cracker boxes, and cut out the two large sides. These I use for smaller templates for woodworking. Even if it's a one off project, I write the info for the build on the templates, and throw them all in a drawer. Not cheap - free!

 

[gahrajmahal]

A roll paper that is thicker than newspaper about like brown paper bags in 36" width is available at PPG paint stores. You can also find it at the big box stores for a very reasonable cost. I used it for making carpet patterns in my Chrysler.

 

[Broadie]

I use door skin (mdf?) and rip into 3 inch wide strips. Hot glue ends together to make pattern.

 

[62blue]

Your local furniture store throws tons of cardboard away every time they unpack furniture. It is stiff cardboard about 1/8 " thick and some a little thinner. Works great for patterns especially on compounded curves. Like a fellow above said I also use pull sheets from Costco too as they also work great.
62Blue

 

[JonBoehman]

I get mine at hobby lobby. Usually poster board or foam core. They have a 40% off coupon at all times