After years of wanting one (much of which was caused from reading this NG) I got a Thermal Dynamics Cutmaster 51 for Christmas. I have a lot to learn and so far I've only read the manuals and played with it a little.
I have been reading old posts and surfing the Web for things about using templates. I can see how a non conductive template would work with something less detailed like a five point star or a rectangle out of sheet metal. How are folks cutting out more detailed items with a hand held torch? I realize skill is a factor but I don't get how that intricate a template could be followed. I tried cutting over paper but it caught the paper on fire. That was probably a lack of skill though.
By the way, I asked for this particular machine based on what I've read here over the years. I'm pleased so far and appreciate what I've learned over many years of reading this NG. I wish I was more skilled so I could share it as so many posters have done for me.