If you’ve ever built guitar pedals, you know how tricky it can be to drill perfectly aligned holes for switches, jacks, and knobs. That’s why we created the PedalSmith Pedal Template Maker, a free online tool to help you layout and print your own pedal templates in real-world 1:1 scale. Here’s how to get the most out of it.
Step 1: Select Your Enclosure
After opening the template maker, start by choosing your enclosure type from the dropdown menu. We support popular sizes like 1590B, 125B, 1590BB, and 1590A. Once selected, the tool will show the width and height in millimeters, so you know the exact size you’re working with.
Step 2: Add Your Drill Points
Click anywhere on the pedal template to mark a hole location. Each click will create a drill point, which you can see on the SVG as a small circle. You can also:
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Edit X, Y coordinates and diameter directly in the "Drill Points" panel.
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Delete points if you make a mistake.
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Snap points to a grid for perfect alignment (toggle the grid from the options).
Tip: The tool supports snap-to-grid, making it easier to line up multiple controls consistently.
Step 3: Print Your Template
When your layout is complete:
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Click the “Print Template” button.
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The template opens in a new window at 1:1 real-world scale, so the holes match the physical pedal perfectly.
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Adjust printer settings if needed (make sure scaling is 100%, not “fit to page”).
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Print on standard paper or adhesive paper for a direct stick-on guide.
Pro tip: Using adhesive paper can make drilling faster and more accurate because the paper won’t shift on the metal enclosure.
Want to Skip the Hassle?
If you want to save time and avoid measuring and drilling yourself, check out our reusable pedal jigs available in the PedalSmith shop. They make drilling your enclosures quick, precise, and repeatable — perfect for builders who want consistent, professional results every time.
