Hi,
I have plans that call for 8", 9", and 10" dia. circles made from 3/4"
stock. These will also need a routed edge all around each. The plans say use
a plunge-router, but I only have a cheap regular router. I tried cutting the
circles using my scroll saw, then routed the edges, and it was OK, but not
perfect by any means. How can I make perfect circles? Are there router bits
for my regular router that will go through material? And how do I make the
circle perfectly round?
Thanks!
Frank
Cool! Thanks everyone for the ideas! I just put together my small shop, and
I'm haing a blast. One thing I've learned rather quickly was that I'll need
a good dust collector very soon ;-)
Thanks!
"Frank" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:bt0Ab.432365$Tr4.1214356@attbi_s03...
> Hi,
> I have plans that call for 8", 9", and 10" dia. circles made from 3/4"
> stock. These will also need a routed edge all around each. The plans say
use
> a plunge-router, but I only have a cheap regular router. I tried cutting
the
> circles using my scroll saw, then routed the edges, and it was OK, but not
> perfect by any means. How can I make perfect circles? Are there router
bits
> for my regular router that will go through material? And how do I make the
> circle perfectly round?
>
> Thanks!
> Frank
>
>
Use a "trammel" made from 1/4" sheet goods. There is a picture of one at:
http://www.woodworkingtips.com/etips/etip030201wb.html
You may have to drill a hole in your workpiece it you don't have a plunge
router, or start with the router on the edge of the workpiece, but that is
no trick. Use a straight cut bit in your router.
--
www.e-woodshop.net
Last update: 9/21/03
"Frank" wrote in message
> Hi,
> I have plans that call for 8", 9", and 10" dia. circles made from 3/4"
> stock. These will also need a routed edge all around each. The plans say
use
> a plunge-router, but I only have a cheap regular router. I tried cutting
the
> circles using my scroll saw, then routed the edges, and it was OK, but not
> perfect by any means. How can I make perfect circles? Are there router
bits
> for my regular router that will go through material? And how do I make the
> circle perfectly round?
I have the 8 & 10 circles covered but not the 9.
Might be that you can use the design at the
http://www.patwarner.com/621_offset.html link on your hand made plate.
*************************************************
> Hi,
> I have plans that call for 8", 9", and 10" dia. circles made from 3/4"
> stock. These will also need a routed edge all around each. The plans say use
> a plunge-router, but I only have a cheap regular router. I tried cutting the
> circles using my scroll saw, then routed the edges, and it was OK, but not
> perfect by any means. How can I make perfect circles? Are there router bits
> for my regular router that will go through material? And how do I make the
> circle perfectly round?
>
> Thanks!
> Frank
I made a circle cutting jig for my router. Simply attach a piece of long thin
stock to the base and drive a small nail at the desired radius (through your
jig and into the workpiece). It took me a couple tries on scrap to get it
calibrated but once I had one measured radius I was good to go. I started
roughing the circles with a straight bit, then switched to a roundover or ogee
to finish it. The only down side is the small hole in the center of your
circles.
BTW they sell some real cool tape at ULINE.COM
It is marked off in inches so when you make something like this you can put
tape on it to reindex to another size.
I was thumbing through a book on jigs (sorry, I can't recall the full
title) and there on page 34 is a picture of a jig for making circles on
a TS! a pin on a sled to spin the workpiece...
dave
Mike in Mystic wrote:
> do you mean the bandsaw? I've never seen a circle cutting jig for the
> tablesaw, and frankly that sounds kind of nutty.
>
> Mike
>
> --
>
> There are no stupid questions.
> There are a LOT of inquisitive idiots.
>
>
> "Lawrence Wasserman" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>
>>In article <bt0Ab.432365$Tr4.1214356@attbi_s03>,
>>Frank <[email protected]> wrote:
>>
>>>Hi,
>>>I have plans that call for 8", 9", and 10" dia. circles made from 3/4"
>>>stock. These will also need a routed edge all around each. The plans say
>
> use
>
>>>a plunge-router, but I only have a cheap regular router. I tried cutting
>
> the
>
>>>circles using my scroll saw, then routed the edges, and it was OK, but
>
> not
>
>>>perfect by any means. How can I make perfect circles? Are there router
>
> bits
>
>>>for my regular router that will go through material? And how do I make
>
> the
>
>>>circle perfectly round?
>>>
>>>Thanks!
>>>Frank
>>>
>>>
>>
>>Do a search for circle cutting jigs for the table saw, believe it or
>>not. For circles the size you want, "perfectly" round ones can be cut
>>on the tablesaw. If you need a routed edge afterwards use a piloted
>>bit.
>>
>>
>>--
>>
>> Larry Wasserman Baltimore, Maryland
>> [email protected]
>>
>
>
>
On Fri, 05 Dec 2003 16:13:34 GMT, "Mike in Mystic"
<[email protected]> wrote:
>do you mean the bandsaw? I've never seen a circle cutting jig for the
>tablesaw, and frankly that sounds kind of nutty.
Why? The actual cut happens at the front of the blade.
All you have to do is have the work rotate around a fixed bolt or
shaft, as it passes the blade, it'll get cut. One full rotation will
provide a circle.
Barry
"Frank" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:bt0Ab.432365$Tr4.1214356@attbi_s03...
> Hi,
> I have plans that call for 8", 9", and 10" dia. circles made from 3/4"
> stock. These will also need a routed edge all around each. The plans say
use
> a plunge-router, but I only have a cheap regular router. I tried cutting
the
> circles using my scroll saw, then routed the edges, and it was OK, but not
> perfect by any means. How can I make perfect circles? Are there router
bits
> for my regular router that will go through material? And how do I make the
> circle perfectly round?
Do you have a bandsaw? If so, you can make a circle cutting fixture and
then do the routing after it is cut. You just push the wood on the fixture
to the outer edge and rotate it on a pin to complete the cut. Rockler has a
kit to make the fixture.
Ed
In article <[email protected]>,
Mike in Mystic <[email protected]> wrote:
>do you mean the bandsaw? I've never seen a circle cutting jig for the
>tablesaw, and frankly that sounds kind of nutty.
>
>Mike
<...snipped...>
Yeah, I thought it sounded kind of nutty too, til I actually tried it.
I've seen 2 versions, one that is fixed on the saw table & the blade
is gradually raised to increase depth of cut, the other that has a
slot runner and is gradually advanced into the blade to achieve the
same effect. I already had a few small sleds with single runners so I
just used one of those.
Before cutting the circle you need to cut a square blank, then
cut the corners off to make an octagon. On a really big circle you
could cut the corners again, I suppose, to make a 16 sided polygon
before starting to cut the circle. The blank pivots on a pin or screw
through the center. With the sliding type of jig, you move the blank
so the blade just touches it, maybe cutting into it about 1/8 - 1/4
inch at the bottom, rotate the blank to cut all the way around,
then push it forward a tiny bit more, repeating the process til the
circle is cut all the way through.
With the fixed type of jig, which is clamped to the saw table,
you start with the blade low and raise it very slightly after each
full rotation, similar to cutting a cove.
This safely makes about as perfect a circle as you can make out
of wood, with a very clean edge. :wq
--
Larry Wasserman Baltimore, Maryland
[email protected]
B a r r y B u r k e J r . wrote:
> On Sun, 07 Dec 2003 13:42:32 GMT, "Edwin Pawlowski" <[email protected]>
> wrote:
>
>>You just need some imagination. No lathe? No problem!
>>
>>Mount the wood on the shaft of a grinder motor. At 3450 RPM you get a
>>very smoooooth finish.
>>Ed
>
>
> With your thought process, I could make 6' round table tops using my
> buddy's Piper PA-28 to turn the stock! All I have to do is talk him
> into taking off the prop. It's not like he can fly with all this
> snow. 180 HP would be plenty to keep the work moving at a steady
> rate.
>
> Barry
There ya go now that's using your noggin!!!!!
Rich
--
"You can lead them to LINUX
but you can't make them THINK"
It is a circular saw, so therefore it cuts circles, something i would never
have mentioned on this list
"Mike in Mystic" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> it seems that way to me, but I'd like to see one - any links?
>
> --
>
> There are no stupid questions.
> There are a LOT of inquisitive idiots.
>
>
> "Bay Area Dave" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> > yes, Mike, there ARE jigs for using a TS for circles. Freaky? :)
> >
> > dave
> >
> > Mike in Mystic wrote:
> >
> > > do you mean the bandsaw? I've never seen a circle cutting jig for the
> > > tablesaw, and frankly that sounds kind of nutty.
> > >
> > > Mike
> > >
> > > --
> > >
> > > There are no stupid questions.
> > > There are a LOT of inquisitive idiots.
> > >
> > >
> > > "Lawrence Wasserman" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> > > news:[email protected]...
> > >
> > >>In article <bt0Ab.432365$Tr4.1214356@attbi_s03>,
> > >>Frank <[email protected]> wrote:
> > >>
> > >>>Hi,
> > >>>I have plans that call for 8", 9", and 10" dia. circles made from
3/4"
> > >>>stock. These will also need a routed edge all around each. The plans
> say
> > >
> > > use
> > >
> > >>>a plunge-router, but I only have a cheap regular router. I tried
> cutting
> > >
> > > the
> > >
> > >>>circles using my scroll saw, then routed the edges, and it was OK,
but
> > >
> > > not
> > >
> > >>>perfect by any means. How can I make perfect circles? Are there
router
> > >
> > > bits
> > >
> > >>>for my regular router that will go through material? And how do I
make
> > >
> > > the
> > >
> > >>>circle perfectly round?
> > >>>
> > >>>Thanks!
> > >>>Frank
> > >>>
> > >>>
> > >>
> > >>Do a search for circle cutting jigs for the table saw, believe it or
> > >>not. For circles the size you want, "perfectly" round ones can be cut
> > >>on the tablesaw. If you need a routed edge afterwards use a piloted
> > >>bit.
> > >>
> > >>
> > >>--
> > >>
> > >> Larry Wasserman Baltimore, Maryland
> > >> [email protected]
> > >>
> > >
> > >
> > >
> >
>
>
And the offcut neatly jambs into the side of the blade.
"B a r r y B u r k e J r ." <[email protected]> wrote
in message news:[email protected]...
>
> Why? The actual cut happens at the front of the blade.
>
> All you have to do is have the work rotate around a fixed bolt or
> shaft, as it passes the blade, it'll get cut. One full rotation will
> provide a circle.
>
> Barry
Rough the circle with a sabre saw. If you don't have one, look at the Bosch
orbital (Progressor, one of the best tools I've seen). Then routing the
rest of the way is easy and you won't need multiple cuts. Work from the
back and the hole won't show. It doesn't have to go through, just enough to
hold the trammel. A large brad should do it...driven in, not drilled.
Wilson
"Frank" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:bt0Ab.432365$Tr4.1214356@attbi_s03...
> Hi,
> I have plans that call for 8", 9", and 10" dia. circles made from 3/4"
> stock. These will also need a routed edge all around each. The plans say
use
> a plunge-router, but I only have a cheap regular router. I tried cutting
the
> circles using my scroll saw, then routed the edges, and it was OK, but not
> perfect by any means. How can I make perfect circles? Are there router
bits
> for my regular router that will go through material? And how do I make the
> circle perfectly round?
>
> Thanks!
> Frank
>
>
do you mean the bandsaw? I've never seen a circle cutting jig for the
tablesaw, and frankly that sounds kind of nutty.
Mike
--
There are no stupid questions.
There are a LOT of inquisitive idiots.
"Lawrence Wasserman" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> In article <bt0Ab.432365$Tr4.1214356@attbi_s03>,
> Frank <[email protected]> wrote:
> >Hi,
> >I have plans that call for 8", 9", and 10" dia. circles made from 3/4"
> >stock. These will also need a routed edge all around each. The plans say
use
> >a plunge-router, but I only have a cheap regular router. I tried cutting
the
> >circles using my scroll saw, then routed the edges, and it was OK, but
not
> >perfect by any means. How can I make perfect circles? Are there router
bits
> >for my regular router that will go through material? And how do I make
the
> >circle perfectly round?
> >
> >Thanks!
> >Frank
> >
> >
>
> Do a search for circle cutting jigs for the table saw, believe it or
> not. For circles the size you want, "perfectly" round ones can be cut
> on the tablesaw. If you need a routed edge afterwards use a piloted
> bit.
>
>
> --
>
> Larry Wasserman Baltimore, Maryland
> [email protected]
>
Frank wrote:
> Hi,
> I have plans that call for 8", 9", and 10" dia. circles made from 3/4"
> stock. These will also need a routed edge all around each. The plans say
> use a plunge-router, but I only have a cheap regular router. I tried
> cutting the circles using my scroll saw, then routed the edges, and it was
> OK, but not perfect by any means. How can I make perfect circles? Are
> there router bits for my regular router that will go through material? And
> how do I make the circle perfectly round?
>
> Thanks!
> Frank
I have found that my lathe is great for cutting circles. I'll let you figure
out how its done. Could not be easier.
Rich
--
"You can lead them to LINUX
but you can't make them THINK"
In article <bt0Ab.432365$Tr4.1214356@attbi_s03>,
Frank <[email protected]> wrote:
>Hi,
>I have plans that call for 8", 9", and 10" dia. circles made from 3/4"
>stock. These will also need a routed edge all around each. The plans say use
>a plunge-router, but I only have a cheap regular router. I tried cutting the
>circles using my scroll saw, then routed the edges, and it was OK, but not
>perfect by any means. How can I make perfect circles? Are there router bits
>for my regular router that will go through material? And how do I make the
>circle perfectly round?
>
>Thanks!
>Frank
>
>
Do a search for circle cutting jigs for the table saw, believe it or
not. For circles the size you want, "perfectly" round ones can be cut
on the tablesaw. If you need a routed edge afterwards use a piloted
bit.
--
Larry Wasserman Baltimore, Maryland
[email protected]
B a r r y B u r k e J r . wrote:
> On Sat, 06 Dec 2003 20:21:58 GMT, "CW" <[email protected]>
> wrote:
>
>>And the offcut neatly jambs into the side of the blade.
>
> In my haste to post I left out a few steps. <G>
>
> First the 4 corners are cut off, then the 8 corners that are
> remaining. The idea is to get to the point where the offcuts are
> small and flexible.
>
> The early cuts are made with the work FIXED, and only rotated when
> away from the blade. Once the rough circle is formed, the work can be
> smoothly rotated against the blade.
>
> This technique is illustrated in several books, one of which is Roger
> Cliffe's "Table Saw Techniques". I've used it twice with great
> success.
>
> A faster way to do it is to rough cut the circle with a coping saw or
> jig saw, and then do the final, perfect circle cut on the table saw.
>
> Barry
Hells Bells just stick it on the motor side of a lathe and mark your circle
with the lathe on and start your cutting with a chisel. Before you know it
you have a perfect circle and it's cut.
Rich
--
"You can lead them to LINUX
but you can't make them THINK"
"B a r r y B u r k e J r ."
> On Sun, 07 Dec 2003 06:32:38 GMT, EvoDawg
> <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> >Hells Bells just stick it on the motor side of a lathe and mark your
circle
> >with the lathe on and start your cutting with a chisel. Before you know
it
> >you have a perfect circle and it's cut.
>
> This isn't so easy without a lathe. <G>
>
> Barry
You just need some imagination. No lathe? No problem!
Mount the wood on the shaft of a grinder motor. At 3450 RPM you get a very
smoooooth finish.
Ed
[email protected]
http://pages.cthome.net/edhome
it seems that way to me, but I'd like to see one - any links?
--
There are no stupid questions.
There are a LOT of inquisitive idiots.
"Bay Area Dave" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> yes, Mike, there ARE jigs for using a TS for circles. Freaky? :)
>
> dave
>
> Mike in Mystic wrote:
>
> > do you mean the bandsaw? I've never seen a circle cutting jig for the
> > tablesaw, and frankly that sounds kind of nutty.
> >
> > Mike
> >
> > --
> >
> > There are no stupid questions.
> > There are a LOT of inquisitive idiots.
> >
> >
> > "Lawrence Wasserman" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> > news:[email protected]...
> >
> >>In article <bt0Ab.432365$Tr4.1214356@attbi_s03>,
> >>Frank <[email protected]> wrote:
> >>
> >>>Hi,
> >>>I have plans that call for 8", 9", and 10" dia. circles made from 3/4"
> >>>stock. These will also need a routed edge all around each. The plans
say
> >
> > use
> >
> >>>a plunge-router, but I only have a cheap regular router. I tried
cutting
> >
> > the
> >
> >>>circles using my scroll saw, then routed the edges, and it was OK, but
> >
> > not
> >
> >>>perfect by any means. How can I make perfect circles? Are there router
> >
> > bits
> >
> >>>for my regular router that will go through material? And how do I make
> >
> > the
> >
> >>>circle perfectly round?
> >>>
> >>>Thanks!
> >>>Frank
> >>>
> >>>
> >>
> >>Do a search for circle cutting jigs for the table saw, believe it or
> >>not. For circles the size you want, "perfectly" round ones can be cut
> >>on the tablesaw. If you need a routed edge afterwards use a piloted
> >>bit.
> >>
> >>
> >>--
> >>
> >> Larry Wasserman Baltimore, Maryland
> >> [email protected]
> >>
> >
> >
> >
>
Using a router is probably your easiest bet, using the trammel idea from the
first post. If you make it long enough you can make multiple pivoting points
at 8", 9", and 10" and beyond. Now a word of caution, depending on the
hardness of the stock you might want to make successive cuts, say at 1/4"
then 1/2" and finally all the way through. Trying to cut through 3/4" stock
with a less powerful router, and/or a bit that might not be as sharp as when
new can be a bear, or dangerous, or both. Take your time and be safe.
Dave
"Frank" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:073Ab.433532$Tr4.1216188@attbi_s03...
> Cool! Thanks everyone for the ideas! I just put together my small shop,
and
> I'm haing a blast. One thing I've learned rather quickly was that I'll
need
> a good dust collector very soon ;-)
>
> Thanks!
>
>
> "Frank" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:bt0Ab.432365$Tr4.1214356@attbi_s03...
> > Hi,
> > I have plans that call for 8", 9", and 10" dia. circles made from 3/4"
> > stock. These will also need a routed edge all around each. The plans say
> use
> > a plunge-router, but I only have a cheap regular router. I tried cutting
> the
> > circles using my scroll saw, then routed the edges, and it was OK, but
not
> > perfect by any means. How can I make perfect circles? Are there router
> bits
> > for my regular router that will go through material? And how do I make
the
> > circle perfectly round?
> >
> > Thanks!
> > Frank
> >
> >
>
>
On Sat, 06 Dec 2003 20:21:58 GMT, "CW" <[email protected]>
wrote:
>And the offcut neatly jambs into the side of the blade.
In my haste to post I left out a few steps. <G>
First the 4 corners are cut off, then the 8 corners that are
remaining. The idea is to get to the point where the offcuts are
small and flexible.
The early cuts are made with the work FIXED, and only rotated when
away from the blade. Once the rough circle is formed, the work can be
smoothly rotated against the blade.
This technique is illustrated in several books, one of which is Roger
Cliffe's "Table Saw Techniques". I've used it twice with great
success.
A faster way to do it is to rough cut the circle with a coping saw or
jig saw, and then do the final, perfect circle cut on the table saw.
Barry
yes, Mike, there ARE jigs for using a TS for circles. Freaky? :)
dave
Mike in Mystic wrote:
> do you mean the bandsaw? I've never seen a circle cutting jig for the
> tablesaw, and frankly that sounds kind of nutty.
>
> Mike
>
> --
>
> There are no stupid questions.
> There are a LOT of inquisitive idiots.
>
>
> "Lawrence Wasserman" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>
>>In article <bt0Ab.432365$Tr4.1214356@attbi_s03>,
>>Frank <[email protected]> wrote:
>>
>>>Hi,
>>>I have plans that call for 8", 9", and 10" dia. circles made from 3/4"
>>>stock. These will also need a routed edge all around each. The plans say
>
> use
>
>>>a plunge-router, but I only have a cheap regular router. I tried cutting
>
> the
>
>>>circles using my scroll saw, then routed the edges, and it was OK, but
>
> not
>
>>>perfect by any means. How can I make perfect circles? Are there router
>
> bits
>
>>>for my regular router that will go through material? And how do I make
>
> the
>
>>>circle perfectly round?
>>>
>>>Thanks!
>>>Frank
>>>
>>>
>>
>>Do a search for circle cutting jigs for the table saw, believe it or
>>not. For circles the size you want, "perfectly" round ones can be cut
>>on the tablesaw. If you need a routed edge afterwards use a piloted
>>bit.
>>
>>
>>--
>>
>> Larry Wasserman Baltimore, Maryland
>> [email protected]
>>
>
>
>
On Sun, 07 Dec 2003 06:32:38 GMT, EvoDawg
<[email protected]> wrote:
>Hells Bells just stick it on the motor side of a lathe and mark your circle
>with the lathe on and start your cutting with a chisel. Before you know it
>you have a perfect circle and it's cut.
This isn't so easy without a lathe. <G>
Barry
On Sun, 07 Dec 2003 13:42:32 GMT, "Edwin Pawlowski" <[email protected]>
wrote:
>You just need some imagination. No lathe? No problem!
>
>Mount the wood on the shaft of a grinder motor. At 3450 RPM you get a very
>smoooooth finish.
>Ed
With your thought process, I could make 6' round table tops using my
buddy's Piper PA-28 to turn the stock! All I have to do is talk him
into taking off the prop. It's not like he can fly with all this
snow. 180 HP would be plenty to keep the work moving at a steady
rate.
Barry