Axe Router Template (Clear Acrylic)

Axe Inlay Router Template - Clear Acrylic Woodworking Template

Add a clean, repeatable axe-shaped inlay to your woodworking projects with this clear acrylic inlay router template. The Axe Inlay Template is designed for routing a recessed pocket into wood, which can then be filled with epoxy, coloured pigment, or left as a carved design detail. It is a great fit for rustic cutting boards, charcuterie boards, live edge serving boards, cabin-themed projects, shop signs, wall art, and other woodworking pieces where a bold outdoor-inspired detail makes sense.

The clear acrylic makes it easier to position the axe profile exactly where you want it before routing. You can line it up with the grain, centre it on a board, place it near a live edge, or use it as a repeatable design element across multiple projects.

What You Can Make With This Template

• Axe-shaped epoxy inlays in cutting boards and serving boards
• Rustic inlay details for charcuterie boards and live edge slabs
• Cabin, outdoors, camping, or woodworking-themed wall art
• Epoxy-filled designs using Beaver Dust Pigments for colour and contrast
• Repeatable axe inlays for small-batch woodworking products

Why Use a Clear Acrylic Axe Inlay Template?

• Made for recessed inlays: This template is designed for routing an axe-shaped pocket into the surface of your wood, not for cutting the full outside shape of a board.
• Clear for easy placement: The transparent acrylic lets you see the wood underneath so you can position the axe design with more control.
• Great for epoxy filling: Route the pocket, fill it with epoxy and pigment, then sand it flush after curing for a clean inlay effect.
• Reusable for repeat projects: Made from 1/4" thick acrylic, this template is built for repeated use when handled and stored properly.
• Helpful for consistent results: A physical template helps you repeat the same axe profile across multiple boards, signs, or custom pieces.

Recommended Products to Use With This Template

• Template Tape - Use this to secure the acrylic template to your wood before routing.
• Pocketing Bit - Use this bit to remove the majority of the material in larger open areas of the inlay pocket.
• Small Detail Pocketing Bit - Use this bit for tight curves, small openings, and finer details in the axe profile.
• Dimensional Wood - A great option for cutting boards, serving boards, signs, and smaller inlay projects.
• Live Edge Wood - A natural fit for charcuterie boards, rustic serving boards, and epoxy-filled inlay projects.
• EcoPoxy UVPoxy - A good epoxy option for filling shallow routed inlays up to 1/4" deep.
• Beaver Dust Pigments - Add colour, shimmer, or contrast to your epoxy-filled axe inlay.
• Walrus Oil Cutting Board Oil - A good finish choice for food-contact cutting boards and serving boards.
• Grand Finishing Hardwax Oil - A great finish option for decorative, non-food-contact projects like wall art, shelves, hallway tables, and end tables.

How to Use This Axe Inlay Template

1. Choose your wood: Start with a flat, stable board. Dimensional lumber works well for cutting boards, serving boards, and signs, while live edge wood is a strong choice for rustic charcuterie boards and decorative inlay projects.
2. Position the template: Place the clear acrylic template on your wood and adjust it until the axe profile sits where you want it in relation to the grain, edge, or project layout.
3. Secure with template tape: Apply template tape to the back of the acrylic template and press it firmly onto the wood so it does not shift while routing.
4. Route the larger areas first: Use the larger pocketing bit to remove most of the material from the open areas of the recessed inlay pocket.
5. Clean up the details: Use the small detail pocketing bit for tight curves, small openings, and finer areas in the axe design.
6. Fill the inlay if desired: Mix epoxy with your chosen pigment and pour it into the routed pocket. Leave enough material to sand flush after curing.
7. Sand flush: Once the epoxy has fully cured, sand the surface until the inlay is smooth and level with the surrounding wood.
8. Apply your finish: Use Walrus Oil Cutting Board Oil for food-contact boards, or Grand Finishing Hardwax Oil for decorative and non-food-contact projects.

Watch How Our Inlay Templates Are Used

Template Details

• Design: Axe Inlay Template
• Axe profile size: Approximately 5.875" long by 4.5" tall
• Template size: 7.875" wide by 7.875" tall
• Material: 1/4" thick clear acrylic
• Template SKU: 03-002
• Use: Routing recessed inlay pockets in wood

Helpful Router Template Guides

• Template Guides - Browse our main resource hub for woodworking template tips, techniques, and project ideas.
• Router Template Guide - Learn how router templates work and how to use them more confidently in your shop.
• What Router Bit Do I Need? - Understand which router bits are best suited for different template routing jobs.
• Template Routing for Beginners - A helpful starting point if you are new to using acrylic router templates.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this axe template for cutting out the full board shape?
No. This is an inlay template designed for routing a recessed axe-shaped pocket into the surface of your wood. It is not intended for cutting the full outside shape of a board.

Can I fill the axe inlay with epoxy?
Yes. After routing the pocket, you can fill it with epoxy and pigment to create a coloured axe inlay. Once the epoxy cures, sand it flush with the wood surface.

Which router bit should I use with this template?
Use the larger pocketing bit to remove most of the material in the open areas, then use the small detail pocketing bit for tighter curves, smaller sections, and finer details.

How do I keep the acrylic template in place while routing?
Use template tape to secure the clear acrylic template to the wood. Make sure the board is clean and flat, then press the template firmly in place before routing.

Can this template be reused?
Yes. The template is made from 1/4" thick acrylic and is designed for repeated use. Store it flat and avoid damaging the template edges so it stays accurate for future projects.

What types of projects does an axe inlay work well for?
Axe inlays work well on rustic cutting boards, charcuterie boards, live edge serving boards, cabin-themed signs, shop decor, wall art, and outdoor-inspired woodworking projects.

What finish should I use after sanding the inlay flush?
For cutting boards and other food-contact projects, use Walrus Oil Cutting Board Oil. For decorative or non-food-contact projects, Grand Finishing Hardwax Oil is a great option.

The Axe Inlay Router Template is a practical way to add a rustic, outdoor-inspired design detail to your woodworking and epoxy projects. Secure the template, route the recessed pocket, fill it if desired, sand it flush, and finish your piece for a clean, professional-looking result.