Rectangle router template

[Beechwood Chip]

Anyone have a favorite design for an adjustable rectangle router template?  I figure four pieces of wood with four butt joints, that can slide to make any size rectangle.  I can't figure out how to make a locking slide that doesn't stick out the top.  The router base might be large to span the template when the bit is in the middle of the rectangle, so the top of the template needs to be flat so the router can get to the edges.

Am I making sense?

[fcschoenthal]

I'm assuming that you're doing juice grooves. I thought about buying or building a dedicated adjustable template, but ended up doing the following.

I took 4 pieces of wood longer than the cutting board, but the same thickness. I attached wider (and thinner) boards on top of them. Hold down the "L" shapes with double sided tape with the wider portion on the cutting board in the appropriate spot. Use a guide bushing on the router to follow around the edge and put the groove in the board.

It's quick and easy to make, breakdown and store, or pull apart and reuse the pieces. If you have multiple sizes, the only difference is the spacing. You've also always got half of the router base on the perimeter, so no rocking. 

[Beechwood Chip]

On 4/19/2025 at 2:32 PM, fcschoenthal said:

I'm assuming that you're doing juice grooves. I thought about buying or building a dedicated adjustable template, but ended up doing the following.

I'm thinking about various different projects, currently something like this:

[Von]

I use the following for dados and the like. You thinking something like this?

 

[Beechwood Chip]

I found this video and it's what I was looking for. 

[fcschoenthal]

On 4/19/2025 at 1:38 PM, Beechwood Chip said:

I'm thinking about various different projects, currently something like this:

I watch him and love his ingenuity and craftsmanship (especially since he is in the Ukraine). You could do the same thing with just sticking the 4 boards down and using a hinge morticing bit. You'll still have the problem of the router tipping in the larger pockets. Attach your router to a longer board that is twice as long as the span.

[Beechwood Chip]

I'm planning to use a 1 foot square router base.  I think you're right, four boards with carefully squared ends, secured with double sided tape, will work as well.  Especially considering that I'd need to tape down the template anyway to secure it.

[Coop]

On 4/19/2025 at 3:22 PM, Beechwood Chip said:

I found this video and it's what I was looking for. 

That’s a neat deal!!! 

[wtnhighlander]

Here is another variation.

 

[fcschoenthal]

On 4/19/2025 at 10:56 PM, wtnhighlander said:

Here is another variation.

John Heinz is an engineering marvel.