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Need to cut large circles, but which tool/accessory to use

1636 Views 30 Replies 15 Participants Last post by go4tech, May 25, 2022

CrazeeTxn

Discussion Starter · May 12, 2022 (Edited by Moderator)

So I'm getting ready to make a dining table. It'll be about 42" in diameter, about 1 1/2" thick, and alder. I've scoured the forum, but nothing really said you can do this big and this thick…

I have a bandsaw, table saw, router, and jig saw that I can use.

I saw Carter's bandsaw circle cutter, that didn't look too bad. Then I've seen the router attachments that pin in the middle. The hole in the middle is ok as it will be underneath.

I don't mind making a jigs as I have quite a few, but I'm ready to just bang this project out and move on. There will be other circles furniture (from what I've been told

) in the future, so I'm not opposed to buying something that will get used again.

What say the masses?

1 - 20 of 31 Posts

1thumb

· #2 · May 12, 2022

Trammel and a plunge router

EdDantes

· #3 · May 12, 2022 (Edited by Moderator)

JASPER Jig 300 XLC. You need a pivot point hole, which can be on the underside. Alternatively, cut an MDF template using the jig, then jigsaw close to size, finish with the template and a pattern bit.

Also, you don't need to go all the way through. If you get as deep as you can, use a jigsaw in the trough you've created to get rid of excess. Then use a top bearing pattern bit to trim the remaining depth.

987Ron

· #4 · May 12, 2022

Made a patio table some time ago, 48 inches diameter. Used my Bosch Router with a piece of plywood as the circle cutting jig. Screwed to the bottom of the router using the existing holes in the router and a pin in the center.
It was over 1 inch thick so made progressive passes. Worked fine Afterward ran an edge guide on the router to touch up and ad a smooth rounded edge.

Chose tis as it was cheap, easy and worked.

Good luck however you chose.

RichT

· #5 · May 12, 2022

+1 on the Jasper. You should have no problem going through 1 1/2". Get a 1/2" up spiral bit with a 2" carbide height. The 1/2" bit will be sturdier. Make your cuts 1/4" or so deep per pass. Depending on the hardness of the wood, you probably can go deeper, like 1/2". You'll also have to compensate for the larger diameter bit with the Jasper, but they have instructions for that.

1thumb

· #6 · May 12, 2022 (Edited by Moderator)

Don't need some $75 jig to cut a 48" circle. You need a straight approx. 30" board and a plunge router. Two holes in board, i.e. a trammel, 24" from the center pivot hole to the inside of the router bit. I've done 20'+ radius the same way. Nail it every time.

MadMark

· #7 · May 12, 2022

Router.

CrazeeTxn

Discussion Starter · #8 · May 13, 2022

Thanks for all the feedback y'all.

Jasper 300 and spiral bit will be here tomorrow. It's almost like Amazon knew I'd need the bit when I loaded the jig in the cart lol

SMP

· #9 · May 13, 2022

Thanks for all the feedback y'all.

Jasper 300 and spiral bit will be here tomorrow. It's almost like Amazon knew I'd need the bit when I loaded the jig in the cart lol

- CrazeeTxn

They spend millions of dollars on AI technology that tracks this kind of thing. It does help make sure you get the "right" things that everyone else is buying. You can even see patterns of whose idea, like search for a tool Paul Sellers recommends and Amazon will show 3 other tools that Paul recommends that are frequently purchased together.

1thumb

· #10 · May 13, 2022 (Edited by Moderator)

2

$70 for a piece of plastic. Why?

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EdDantes

· #11 · May 13, 2022

2

$70 for a piece of plastic. Why?

- 1thumb

I won't argue that it can't be done with a piece of plywood. But why? Convenience. The jasper jig cuts 184 different sizes out of the box, all without having to measure. If you only needed it for a one-off project, then yeah, doesn't make sense. But I routinely cut circles, and the fact that I can just pull out the jig and be cutting in 5 minutes is worth $60. Bonus points that if I ever upgraded a router it's going to work exactly the same without having to redrill holes perfectly.

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987Ron

· #12 · May 13, 2022

Okay, you Jasper Jig fans you sold me on the convenience. Found the Model 200 for only $25.93 on Walmart website. Plywood costs that much lately Had to look through several listings to find the price. Tax added. Free shipping. Ordered one.
Ebay has them 50-60 range as does Amazon again 50 & or so.

Thanks for pushing the jig.

CrazeeTxn

Discussion Starter · #13 · May 13, 2022

Agreed. I'm certainly not opposed to a jig, but I know that I've got more different sizes circles coming and this will just make setup easier and certainly gives me a lot of different options.

dschlic1

· #14 · May 13, 2022

I cut a circular table 60" dia made out of 1 1/4" read oak. A massive (and heavy) beast. I used the Shaper Origin to not only cut out the top, but also the taper the edges.

1thumb

· #15 · May 13, 2022 (Edited by Moderator)

2

If you only needed it for a one-off project, then yeah, doesn t make sense.

- EdDantes

I figured it was a one off if OP asking how to cut a circle. But if you're cutting a bunch of circles and need 1/4" size increments it does make sense. I do this for a living and so many of these jigs, templates and tools are overpriced jokes. But I am an anti-consumerism minimalist. This Rockler jig sure is pretty isn't it? Look good on the shop wall next to the shiny red Woodpeckers and understated green and beige of the Festools. But it's worthless unless you only have one arm to hold the jigsaw, barrel grip for crown copes, and no other arm or clamp to secure material. Only $199 + tax.

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RichT

· #16 · May 13, 2022

You ll also have to compensate for the larger diameter bit with the Jasper, but they have instructions for that.

- Rich

I was mistaken. The Jasper 300 is designed for a 1/2" bit.

robscastle

· #17 · May 13, 2022

I you may find this of interest

https://www.lumberjocks.com/robscastle/blog/133286

Axis39

· #18 · May 13, 2022 (Edited by Moderator)

Sorry, I cut circles so infrequently that I just use a scrap, a drill bit and a router.

I've cut maybe four or five in the last two or three years… Even 25 bucks is too much for something I gotta remember where it is when I need it.

But, at the same time, I just dropped a lotta money on an edge band trimming router from Festool. So, who the heck am I to talk?

Sylvain

· #19 · May 14, 2022

making a round table top or a round stool is basically the same process.
Look here:

The bigger the circle, the more difficult it is to see irregularities.

987Ron

· #20 · May 21, 2022

Got the Jasper Jig, Model 200. Not a very good accuracy on their part. Holes for the Bosch Router are a bit off and the center for the bit is 1/8" off center. The screw holes for attaching to the router are to shallow as the head of the screws from the Bosch router plate stick up above the surface of the jig, thereby they would scratch whatever the router was pulled over. The material the jig is made of is to thin and to brittle to drill deeper. Tried it on a screw hole that did not match the Bosch or the Porter Cable. Have an extra set of screw so may grind the tops down abit.

Probably not just toss the jig as not good enough for this grumpy old man.

1 - 20 of 31 Posts

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