How to cut perfect circles with a band saw Photo 1: Attach the runner. Cutting perfect circles is easy with a band saw-as long as you take a half hour to build yourself a cutting jig. The auxiliary fence not only stops the jig at the right spot for turning circles but also keeps the jig from tipping up from the band saw table.
You can cut circles on a band saw by simply driving a nail into a piece of plywood clamped to the table, using the nail as a pivot point for your workpiece. If you plan to cut circles more than once, a better way is this shop-built adjustable circle jig. A sliding tongue easily adjusts the pivot point for different size circles.
With a simple jig that you can make quickly and easily, you’ll be able to cut an exact circle every time on the band saw without the need to follow a cutline. “Step 1: To create the jig, cut a piece of sheet stock to the width of your band saw’s table. For circles up to 16″ in diameter, a jig 10″ to 12” long is fine. “Step 2: Starting at your mark, use a reliable square to continue the line across the surface of the jig. You can see here that I’ve drilled holes into the jig’s side edges that will accommodate a pair of fence clamps to secure the jig to the band saw’s table. Now, measuring from the front edge, make a series of marks 1” apart along this line.
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bandsaw jig for cutting circles Related Question:
Can a bandsaw cut circles?
Cut clean, smooth circles with your bandsaw Cut perfect circles with a band saw, using a simple jig. You can assemble the jig in about a half hour from ¾-in. plywood.
What is the best way to cut circles in wood?
Using a hole saw is the absolute easiest way to cut circles in wood for your project. All you have to do is lock your hole saw in the chuck of your drill or drill press and start cutting. You can use hole saws to cut circles from ¾ inches up to 7 inches in diameter.
What can I cut with a bandsaw?
With the correct blade, a band saw can cut wood or metal, in either curves or straight lines. Blades come in a variety of widths and tooth counts. Narrower blades are good for tighter curves, while wider blades are better at straight cuts.
What router bit to use for cutting circles?
We recommend a solid-carbide up-cut spiral router bit. For the Model 300 Circle Guide, use a 1/2″-dia. router bit.
What angle do you cut wood to make a circle?
The more segments you combine to make a circle, the smoother the grain appears to flow between segments, Craig. For the diameter of your circle, eight segments should be enough. Also, this makes the necessary 22.5° miter angles easy to cut.
How do you cut a circular hole in a wood jigsaw?
Position the jigsaw with the blade inside the starter hole and with the saw’s shoe plate flush with the board. Make sure the blade is not touching the board and start the saw. Cut an arc to reach just inside the waste side of the scribed circle. Continue until you cut about half of the circle.
How do I use my circle cutter shopsmith?
Just attach the circle cutter to your bandsaw table extension (555488) with a single bolt use the single adjustment knob to set the attachment for your desired diameter and stock thickness… and pivot your workpiece through the bandsaw blade to cut perfect circles from 2″ to 36″ in diameter. It’s just that simple !