Lightning Bolt Router Template (Clear Acrylic)

Lightning Bolt Inlay Router Template - Clear Acrylic Woodworking Template

Create clean, repeatable lightning bolt inlays in your woodworking projects with this clear acrylic inlay router template. The Lightning Bolt Inlay Template is designed for routing a recessed pocket into wood, which can then be filled with epoxy, coloured pigment, or left as a routed design detail. It is a great fit for cutting boards, charcuterie boards, serving trays, signs, wall art, live edge boards, kids’ room decor, music-themed pieces, sports gifts, and bold custom woodworking projects.

The clear acrylic makes it easier to position the lightning bolt profile before routing. You can centre it on a board, angle it across the grain, place it near a live edge, or use it as a repeatable graphic detail for high-contrast epoxy inlays and modern decorative pieces.

What You Can Make With This Template

• Lightning bolt epoxy inlays in cutting boards and serving boards
• Bold graphic inlays for charcuterie boards and live edge projects
• Custom signs, wall art, trays, plaques, and decorative panels
• Sports, music, superhero-inspired, or kids’ room decor projects
• Epoxy-filled lightning bolt designs using Beaver Dust Pigments for colour and contrast
• Repeatable lightning bolt inlays for small-batch woodworking products

Why Use a Clear Acrylic Lightning Bolt Inlay Template?

• Designed for recessed inlays: This template is made for routing a lightning bolt-shaped pocket into the surface of your wood, not for cutting out the full outside shape of a board.
• Clear for accurate placement: The transparent acrylic lets you see the wood underneath so you can position the lightning bolt exactly where it works best.
• Great for epoxy-filled projects: Route the pocket, fill it with epoxy and pigment, then sand it flush after curing for a clean inlay effect.
• Reusable for repeat work: Made from 1/4" thick acrylic, this template can be used again and again when handled and stored properly.
• Ideal for bold design details: The lightning bolt shape works well when you want a sharp, energetic accent that stands out on boards, signs, and decor 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 inside corners, pointed areas, narrow sections, and finer details in the lightning bolt profile.
• Dimensional Wood - A great option for cutting boards, serving boards, signs, trays, and smaller inlay projects.
• Live Edge Wood - A natural fit for charcuterie boards, 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 lightning bolt 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 Lightning Bolt Inlay Template

1. Choose your wood: Start with a flat, stable board. Dimensional lumber works well for cutting boards, serving boards, trays, and signs, while live edge wood is a great choice for charcuterie boards and decorative epoxy inlay projects.
2. Position the template: Place the clear acrylic template on your wood and adjust it until the lightning bolt profile lines up with the grain, board shape, live edge, or overall 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 inside corners, pointed areas, narrow sections, and finer parts of the lightning bolt design.
6. Fill the inlay if desired: Mix epoxy with your chosen pigment and pour it into the routed pocket. Yellow, gold, black, white, blue, red, pearl, neon-style colours, or metallic pigments can work well for bold lightning bolt designs.
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: Lightning Bolt Inlay Template
• Lightning Bolt profile size: Approximately 3.25" wide by 5.5" tall
• Template size: 7.875" wide by 7.875" tall
• Material: 1/4" thick clear acrylic
• Template SKU: 03-033
• 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 lightning bolt template for cutting out the full shape of a board?
No. This is an inlay template designed for routing a recessed lightning bolt-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 lightning bolt inlay with epoxy?
Yes. After routing the pocket, you can fill it with epoxy and pigment to create a coloured lightning bolt 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 from the open areas, then use the small detail pocketing bit for tight inside corners, pointed areas, narrow sections, and finer parts of the lightning bolt profile.

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

Can this acrylic lightning bolt 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 work well with a lightning bolt inlay?
Lightning bolt inlays work well on cutting boards, charcuterie boards, serving trays, live edge boards, signs, wall art, kids’ room decor, music-themed projects, sports gifts, plaques, and bold custom woodworking pieces.

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 Lightning Bolt Inlay Router Template is a practical way to add a clean, bold, high-energy design detail to your woodworking and epoxy projects. Secure the template, route the recessed pocket, fill it with epoxy and pigment if desired, sand it flush, and finish your piece for a polished, repeatable result.