First of all, let's be honest -- you don't NEED transfer paper, BUT...it sure makes your job
far easier than if you don't have it. Remember the old credit card carbon papers? This is basically transfer paper in a crude form,
only much smaller. Transfer paper (also called graphite transfer paper) is used to get a curved woodworking pattern traced onto the wood you plan to cut it out of. Just like the credit card machines transferred
your credit card number to the receipt, this paper transfers the pattern to your wood. One uses the
transfer paper by fastening it (transfer side down) to the wood using masking tape. Next you fasten your pattern over top the transfer paper, again using masking tape. Finally, use a dull pencil or a pen to trace the
lines on your pattern. The lines you trace will magically transfer to the wood. Tracing paper can be used over and over again. The drawback to transfer paper is that it is
fragile, so you need to take special care of it. If you care for it properly, you can trace tens, maybe hundreds of patterns with a single piece.
There are other ways to get your patterns onto the
wood, though. One old trick is to use newspaper. Use it just like transfer paper; the newsprint comes right off the old paper and onto the wood. The problem is that the lines are pretty light colored and have breaks in
them. Another trick is to Xerox the pattern, then use a lightly heated iron to go over the pattern while it's on your wood. This will transfer the ink from the photocopy onto the wood. A great trick, but what do you do
for larger projects? Try one of these methods and see what you think. Now you know a little about transfer paper. With all the methods of transferring patterns to
wood, I don't understand why some people insist on cutting up their project plans when they could use them over and over again. Regardless of how you choose to transfer your patterns to the wood, after reading
this article you should realize that you do not have to destroy your patterns -- use a transfer method and save them! |
