Cutting a perfect circle in wood

Home » Woodworking. Learn how to cut a circle in wood six different ways, depending on the tools you have in your garage or workshop! Cutting circles in wood can be tricky, there's no doubt about it.

You can immediately download your product off the order receipt page after the purchase. There are a lot of different options for cutting circles in wood and there are a lot of different needs to consider. Can I have a hole in my work piece or not? To cut a circle on this jig I need to set the distance from the blade for the pivot point. Now I need to find the center of my work piece and to do that I mark with a straight edge from corner to corner and where those lines meet is my center. This method assumes the bottom of the piece wont be visible, like the bottom side of a table.

Cutting a perfect circle in wood

Most saws are made to cut straight lines, but what if you want to cut a circle? For more details on each method, be sure to check out the YouTube video. I used my bandsaw to shape it, but this step is optional. Remove the base plate from your router and use it to trace the screw holes on one end of you strip of plywood. Plunge the bit through the plywood jig, then remove the jig from the router and make the hole bigger. For an 18 inch diameter circle for example, make a pilot hole at 9 inches from the bit. Find the center of your wood blank and drill a pilot hole, then mount the jig using a finish nail. This method starts out the same as the previous using a plunge router and a circle cutting jig. Using the upsiral bit to make revolutions, then remove the circle jig and grab your jigsaw. Using the jigsaw free-hand, cut out the circle using the groove as a guide. Grab your router and install a flush trim bit with a bearing. Plunge the router and line up the bearing with the clean lip previously left by the router.

Just lock in the radius of your circle, place the point in the center, then draw! Which is your preferred method? If you need a more accurate cut, you should try using a circle cutting jig for your jigsaw.

For a closer look at each method, be sure to check out the YouTube video. The most common way of cutting circles in wood is using a plunge router with a circle cutting jig. I used my bandsaw to shape it, but this step is optional. Remove the base plate from your router and use it to trace the screw holes on one end of you strip of plywood. Plunge the bit through the plywood jig, then remove the jig from the router and make the hole bigger.

We use cookies to provide basic functionality and improved security. We also use 3rd-party cookies to improve your browsing experience and for targeted advertising. View our Privacy Policy. While working in the workshop, sooner or later you will come across a situation where you will need to cut a circle for your project. You might need to cut out small circles to serve as coasters, or perhaps large ones to serve as table tops. Whatever the need, being able to cut out a circle of different sizes comes in handy. There are several ways how to cut a circle in wood using a number of different tools and approaches. You can cut a circle in wood by hand using a drill and a saw or you can use power tools for the job. In this tutorial, I will show you 3 different ways to cut a circle in wood using 3 different power tools — a trim router, a table saw, and a jigsaw. The best way to cut perfect circles in wood is by using a power tool together with a specialized woodworking jig.

Cutting a perfect circle in wood

With the right tools and a little bit of practice, you can create perfect circles every time. One of the most common hand tools used for cutting circles in wood is a coping saw. This saw has a thin, flexible blade that allows you to make intricate cuts with ease. As you cut, be sure to keep the saw blade perpendicular to the wood to ensure a clean cut.

Chicken wing chicken wing hot dog and bologna

Then insert a normal drill bit into the hole in the center of the circle left behind by the hole saw bit. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. The jigsaw is known for being the perfect tool to make tight cuts and fancy curves. Cut Perfect Circles in Wood. Here are some things to look out for. Because of this you need to use clamps or have someone hold the wood while you drill it. Using push pads to protect your hands, rotate the blank clockwise into the blade in order to shave and sculpt it into a perfect circle. This could be dangerous in a handheld drill that could lose control easily! You MUST use a drill press. Our trained team of editors and researchers validate articles for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

Handyman's World is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon. If you have much experience with woodworking, then you know the challenge presented by the prospect of cutting a perfect circle from a piece of wood. These techniques, as it turns out, take a lot of the guesswork out of making these uniquely curved cuts.

Method number three, which is probably the most well known way to cut circles, is using a router and a trammel. Place the sharp point where you want the center of the circle to be and spin the drawing point around the create the circle. No account yet? Clean up the cut edges with sand paper. Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published. This could be dangerous in a handheld drill that could lose control easily! If you're making cornhole boards, you'll want to use a 6" hole saw. The entry side of the hole tends to cut cleanly, but the back is another story! If this happens, stop the drill and lift up on the saw a bit. Things You'll Need. When you use a hole saw to cut a circle in wood there is a lot of torque created by the saw and you will cut all the way through the wood. Hole saws and their attachments are available at all hardware and home improvement stores. There are a lot of different options for cutting circles in wood and there are a lot of different needs to consider. Cookies make wikiHow better.