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Matthias Wandel’s Gear Template Generator creates gear outlines for printing as paper patterns or exporting for use in other software. The free online version covers common gear layouts and is aimed at making scale-accurate templates to glue onto wood and cut out. The downloadable PC edition adds more gear types, offline use, larger multi-page printing and additional export formats.
What the Gear Template Generator does
The generator calculates gear outlines from settings such as tooth count, tooth spacing and gear form. Its intended woodworking workflow is straightforward: print a pattern at the intended scale, attach it to suitable stock and cut the gear, typically with a bandsaw. The maker describes the online tool as a way to make scale-accurate paper templates for this purpose (online instructions).
It is a low-precision project tool, not evidence that a generated gear is suitable for a particular load, material or safety-critical mechanism. The maker documents craft use with materials such as plywood and phenolic, but does not establish industrial or safety-rated performance (online instructions).
#1 Best Overall
- Unfinished wooden Gear cutouts are made of quality wood for durable use; with smooth surface, easy to paint and write.
- Gear size about: 6inch/ 4inch/ 2inch; Thickness: 0.1inch/ 0.25cm; You may stain, drill, curve and decorate them as you like, bring a casual and elegant feeling.
- Package includes 10 pieces wood Gear ornaments crafts to paint, enjoy the wood painting fun with your family, enough for you to use in daily life.
- Ideal for hangers, card making, embellishments, scrap booking, decoupage, sign making and many other art and craft projects. Hanging it on the door, wall, tree, front door, doorplate, etc.
- Add atmosphere to your thanksgiving, halloween, birthday party, etc. Perfect decoration for home, office, restaurant, party, wedding, dances, bar, club, cafe shop, store door, and window.
Choose online or downloadable
| Option | What it offers | Best fit |
|---|---|---|
| Free online generator | Involute spur gears, inside/ring gear configuration, rack-and-pinion setups and dividing-plate mode. | Making a basic paper pattern in a browser. |
| Downloadable PC program | Involute spur, ring and rack gears; planetary sets; lantern/cycloid pairs; chain and sprocket calculations; offline use; multi-page printing; and exports including DXF, HPGL, CSV, SVG, SketchUp, PDF and bitmap. | More gear types, larger patterns, offline work or exporting a drawing to another toolchain. |
The product page lists the downloadable edition at $26 USD and says it is for Windows, not native Mac or Linux; it recommends trying the evaluation copy to check compatibility. Price, compatibility and availability can change, so confirm the current details on the maker’s product page.
Set gear geometry that will mesh
For involute gears, tooth spacing (also called pitch) and pressure angle are the key matching settings. The maker’s help says that gears with the same tooth spacing and contact angle, also known as pressure angle, will mesh and run smoothly (gear help). A gear pair with mismatched settings should not be expected to mesh correctly just because the tooth counts look plausible.
Rank #2
- Set of 5 Interchangeable Wooden Gears: High-quality blank wood gears in complementary sizes that mesh and work together for creative builds and moving mechanisms
- Versatile DIY Craft Supply: Suitable for building functional wooden mechanisms, kinetic art, wall decor, STEAM/STEM educational projects, clocks, robots, or decorative accents
- Fully Customizable: Choose your preferred size and wood thickness at checkout. Smooth edges, ready for painting, staining, engraving, or assembly with no extra sanding needed
- Premium Handmade Quality: Expertly crafted in small batches in Ohio, USA from durable natural wood for both decorative and lightly functional projects
- Makers, Teachers and Hobbyists Supply: Excellent supply for classrooms, homeschooling, makerspaces, woodworking, mixed media art, and unique handmade gifts
- Tooth count: Set the number of teeth for each gear to suit the desired ratio and available space.
- Tooth spacing: Use the same spacing for gears intended to mesh.
- Pressure angle: Match the angle across an involute gear pair.
- Gear type: Use the appropriate mode for external gears, an internal/ring gear, or a rack-and-pinion arrangement.
The online tool documents negative tooth counts for inside gearing and a tooth count of zero for a rack. Involute is the common gear form; pinwheel or lantern gearing is another supported design option (gear help; online generator).
Print a wooden gear template to scale
- Choose the gear settings. Select the gear mode and enter tooth spacing, tooth count and other requested geometry.
- Check the print preview. Make sure the pattern is positioned as expected and that print scaling is not changing the intended dimensions.
- Print and verify scale. Compare the printed result with the tool’s grid or a known measurement before cutting. The maker recommends an inkjet printer for scale accuracy and cautions that some laser printers may be less accurate (online instructions).
- Attach the pattern to stock. Glue the paper template to suitable material, then cut the outline for the project.
The online version is constrained by available screen and page area. The maker describes assembling repeated prints for larger gears. The downloadable program can divide oversized patterns across multiple pages, with optional overlap and grid guidance to help align the sheets (online instructions; downloadable program details).
Rank #3
- Enhanced Collection: Our wooden gear decoration set now boasts 12 pieces, including two additional large 7.9-inch (20 cm) gears, for even more decorative versatility.
- Diverse Sizes: The set features a range of sizes from 7.9 inches down to 3.1 inches, with two 7.9-inch slices, two 5.9-inch slices, two 4.7-inch slices, two 3.9-inch slices, and four 3.1-inch slices.
- Durable Quality: Crafted from high-quality raw wood, these blank gear wood slices are natural, environmentally friendly, and resistant to warping and damage, ensuring long-lasting beauty.
- Customizable Art: Perfect for DIY enthusiasts, these wooden gear decorations allow you to add personal touches with paint or other decorative elements to match your desired color schemes and designs.
- Versatile Aesthetics: Suitable for a wide range of settings, from steampunk-inspired wall decor to farmhouse hangings, bar decor, and more, these gears can elevate the ambiance of bars, cafes, rooms, walls, cafeterias, restaurants, art corridors, shops, art businesses, showrooms, and beyond.
Export a drawing for CAD or fabrication software
Use an export when the drawing needs to move into another application rather than straight to paper. The downloadable edition offers several output formats, but exporting a drawing is not the same as printing a tiled template: printer pagination is not applied to exported files (program details; gear help).
- DXF: The maker describes this as a basic 2D outline. When importing it into CAD, select the right units and expect that cleanup may be needed.
- SVG: Confirm how the receiving program interprets units and sizing before relying on the imported dimensions.
Check the drawing’s scale again in the destination application before using it to cut or fabricate a part. An export preserves the outline, not an assurance that downstream software has interpreted its units correctly.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Wood shapes are made of natural wood. The best unfinished wood pieces. Made from high quality unfinished baltic birch wood.
- Unfinished craft wood pieces are good in study. Decorate to help students learn engeniering, ratios, and basic machine building
- Our wooden pieces are good clarity, strength and stability. It will last for years to come. You will love our unfinished wood slices for crafts.
- The natural color of Craft shape can be used on any theme and project. Turn on your imagination! DIY unfinished wood of highest quality!
- Rustic wood is ready to paint. Suitable for pigment, ink pad, hand painting, cloth, wall, furniture, decoration, drawing and scrapbooking. Different Cutout shapes meet your basic painting needs.
Rank #4
- Gear-Themed Stencil Set: This collection features four distinct and intricately designed templates, each sized at 21x29.7cm/8.3x11.7inch. The patterns include gears forming clocks, decorative borders, and a female silhouette adorned with mechanical elements, perfect for projects seeking a cohesive and stylish steampunk aesthetic
- Reusable PET Material: Crafted from quality, flexible PET with smooth edges, each stencil maintains clear detail through repeated use. The set is washable and built for long-term crafting. A 16cm/6.3inch painting brush is included, ideal for detailed and precise work
- Versatile Creative Applications: Ideal for customizing a wide variety of surfaces, including journals, wall art, tote bags, furniture, and tech accessories. These gear-themed designs bring structured, industrial inspiration to DIY gifts, home decor, and personal projects
- Easy to Apply: Simply secure the stencil onto your desired surface, using tape or adhesive spray. Apply paint with a brush, sponge, or spray method. Cleanup is quick and easy with water, ensuring a hassle-free crafting experience
- Wide Range of Uses: Perfect for adding a bold, mechanical touch to denim jackets, canvas bags, car interiors, and more. Whether for fashion, decor, or functional items, this set helps you achieve a statement look that’s both edgy and creatively unconventional
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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