Anyone make a circle-cutter jig that attaches to a jigsaw? I have a
Bosch jigsaw and I need to cut several large arcs, radii ranging from
35 to 55". The stock is just too large to handle for my bandsaw. I'm
cutting 1.5" MDF to construct wood-bending forms. I wonder if the
router would handle this job (maybe more accurate 90-degree cuts?) TIA
Should be 3/4.
"CW" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I would use the router. Smooth cut that would require little if any
sanding.
> I assume that you are laminating two pieces of 3/5 to get to thickness. If
> so, the easiest way would probably be to not laminate them then cut all
the
> way through. That is quite thick. While it would work in multiple passes,
> you would have trouble keeping the kerf clear of dust, Cut one piece of
MDF
> to shape, laminate another to it, rough that one close to the first with a
> jigsaw then trim it flush with a flush trim bit in the router. This should
> go rather quickly as you can glue and brad the laminations together and
cut
> immediately as long as you keep the brads out of the cut line.
> "J. Clarke" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> > Phisherman wrote:
> >
> > > Anyone make a circle-cutter jig that attaches to a jigsaw? I have a
> > > Bosch jigsaw and I need to cut several large arcs, radii ranging from
> > > 35 to 55". The stock is just too large to handle for my bandsaw. I'm
> > > cutting 1.5" MDF to construct wood-bending forms. I wonder if the
> > > router would handle this job (maybe more accurate 90-degree cuts?) TIA
> >
> > Unless it's a honkin' big router I'd make multiple passes in stock that
> > thick. Circle guides that size for routers are easier to find than for
> > jigsaws--shouldn't be hard to make one up though.
> >
> > --
> > --John
> > to email, dial "usenet" and validate
> > (was jclarke at eye bee em dot net)
>
>
Phisherman wrote:
> Anyone make a circle-cutter jig that attaches to a jigsaw? I have a
> Bosch jigsaw and I need to cut several large arcs, radii ranging from
> 35 to 55". The stock is just too large to handle for my bandsaw. I'm
> cutting 1.5" MDF to construct wood-bending forms. I wonder if the
> router would handle this job (maybe more accurate 90-degree cuts?) TIA
Could you just take some masonite or 1/4" ply or something and maybe
make one out of that? The leading edge of the blade would have to be
colinear with the different holes for different radii in order to get
accurate measurements, I would imagine.
The only other issue in my mind is attaching the jig to the shoe of
your jigsaw. Are there predrilled, pretapped holes for that sort of
thing? I'm pretty sure my POS Skil doesn't have them, but then again,
it's a POS. Another option would be 2-sided tape, perhaps.
Hope it helps,
-Phil Crow
In article <[email protected]>,
Phisherman <[email protected]> wrote:
>Anyone make a circle-cutter jig that attaches to a jigsaw? I have a
>Bosch jigsaw and I need to cut several large arcs, radii ranging from
>35 to 55". The stock is just too large to handle for my bandsaw. I'm
>cutting 1.5" MDF to construct wood-bending forms. I wonder if the
>router would handle this job (maybe more accurate 90-degree cuts?) TIA
It would be easy enough to just make one by attaching a piece of
masonite or something similar to the base of your saw, extended to one
side or the other, with a pivot hole or holes. Same principle as a
router circle cutting jig. No doubt the router would cut a truer 90d
edge, but for bending forms, (or most anything else for that matter)
the Bosch should be adequate.
--
Larry Wasserman Baltimore, Maryland
[email protected]
'Phis' . . .
Don't 'kill' the router, or yourself. Let your jigsaw do the 'grunt' work,
and use the router for the 'finesse'.
MAKE the adjustable trammel for the router . . . don't necessarily need a
real big one. {Use the heft to hold it in place, rather then you pushing it
down}.
Lay out your circle and use the jigsaw . . . freehand, with a course blade
to make the cutting easier . . . as close to the OUTSIDE of the line as YOUR
skills / nerves permit.
NOW take the trammel mounted router {use a bit with an ANGLED cutter for a
smoother shearing cut} and get a fine, to the line, finish.
ANOTHER option . . . if you are going to make A LOT of these. . . is to make
1/4in Hardboard templates {I do this with certain boat parts - for accuracy
& repeatability}. The stuff is easy to work with - you can hand-sand right
to the line. I paint the entire sheet with WHITE water-based primer - a nice
semi-matt surface that takes pencil marks easily - before lay-out & cutting.
Afterward, I 'treat' the cut edges with epoxy for abrasion resistance.
Regards & Good Luck,
Ron Magen
Backyard Boatshop
"Phisherman" <noon
[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Anyone make a circle-cutter jig that attaches to a jigsaw? I have a
> Bosch jigsaw and I need to cut several large arcs, radii ranging from
> 35 to 55". The stock is just too large to handle for my bandsaw. I'm
> cutting 1.5" MDF to construct wood-bending forms. I wonder if the
> router would handle this job (maybe more accurate 90-degree cuts?) TIA
I would use the router. Smooth cut that would require little if any sanding.
I assume that you are laminating two pieces of 3/5 to get to thickness. If
so, the easiest way would probably be to not laminate them then cut all the
way through. That is quite thick. While it would work in multiple passes,
you would have trouble keeping the kerf clear of dust, Cut one piece of MDF
to shape, laminate another to it, rough that one close to the first with a
jigsaw then trim it flush with a flush trim bit in the router. This should
go rather quickly as you can glue and brad the laminations together and cut
immediately as long as you keep the brads out of the cut line.
"J. Clarke" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Phisherman wrote:
>
> > Anyone make a circle-cutter jig that attaches to a jigsaw? I have a
> > Bosch jigsaw and I need to cut several large arcs, radii ranging from
> > 35 to 55". The stock is just too large to handle for my bandsaw. I'm
> > cutting 1.5" MDF to construct wood-bending forms. I wonder if the
> > router would handle this job (maybe more accurate 90-degree cuts?) TIA
>
> Unless it's a honkin' big router I'd make multiple passes in stock that
> thick. Circle guides that size for routers are easier to find than for
> jigsaws--shouldn't be hard to make one up though.
>
> --
> --John
> to email, dial "usenet" and validate
> (was jclarke at eye bee em dot net)
Phisherman wrote:
> Anyone make a circle-cutter jig that attaches to a jigsaw? I have a
> Bosch jigsaw and I need to cut several large arcs, radii ranging from
> 35 to 55". The stock is just too large to handle for my bandsaw. I'm
> cutting 1.5" MDF to construct wood-bending forms. I wonder if the
> router would handle this job (maybe more accurate 90-degree cuts?) TIA
Unless it's a honkin' big router I'd make multiple passes in stock that
thick. Circle guides that size for routers are easier to find than for
jigsaws--shouldn't be hard to make one up though.
--
--John
to email, dial "usenet" and validate
(was jclarke at eye bee em dot net)
"Phisherman" wrote in message
> Anyone make a circle-cutter jig that attaches to a jigsaw? I have a
> Bosch jigsaw and I need to cut several large arcs, radii ranging from
> 35 to 55". The stock is just too large to handle for my bandsaw. I'm
> cutting 1.5" MDF to construct wood-bending forms. I wonder if the
> router would handle this job (maybe more accurate 90-degree cuts?) TIA
The router, with the addition of a trammel base, may be the perfect tool/jig
for this task.
An adjustable trammel base for your router can be made in a few minutes from
1/4" mdf/plywood.
Here is a picture of a smaller one I use frequently ... making/dimensioning
one for your task should be intuitive.
http://www.e-woodshop.net/images/Trambase.JPG
--
www.e-woodshop.net
Last update: 6/21/06
On Sun, 16 Jul 2006 12:51:48 GMT, Phisherman <[email protected]> wrote:
>Anyone make a circle-cutter jig that attaches to a jigsaw? I have a
>Bosch jigsaw and I need to cut several large arcs, radii ranging from
>35 to 55". The stock is just too large to handle for my bandsaw. I'm
>cutting 1.5" MDF to construct wood-bending forms. I wonder if the
>router would handle this job (maybe more accurate 90-degree cuts?) TIA
Do you need permanent forms?
We make a lot of bending forms for window jams and I used to make a
permanent jig for different sizes. Now I use brackets to make the
forms. You can cut L shaped brackets out of a good quality plywood
and screw them to a wood floor or a piece of scrap plywood. Just lay
out your radius on the floor (or plywood) and screw the brackets on
your line using as many as you like. Once you've made your 55" bends
take them off and set-up for another size.
Mike O.
The router would be your friend for this.
Make the circle cutter out of 1/4" birch plywood.
Phisherman wrote:
> Anyone make a circle-cutter jig that attaches to a jigsaw? I have a
> Bosch jigsaw and I need to cut several large arcs, radii ranging from
> 35 to 55". The stock is just too large to handle for my bandsaw. I'm
> cutting 1.5" MDF to construct wood-bending forms. I wonder if the
> router would handle this job (maybe more accurate 90-degree cuts?) TIA