The jigsaw is a carpenter’s greatest buddy and one of the most versatile pieces of construction equipment available today.
It may be used for a variety of tasks, including cutting circles into or out of wood. In this article, I’ll take you through two different approaches to this problem.
The first approach is straightforward and straightforward, but the second method necessitates a bit more work.
It does, however, result in a much cleaner, smoother cut with a more accurate circular shape than the traditional method.
Let’s take a closer look at the two techniques one by one, step by step.
The Most Straightforward Approach
If you’re looking for something simple and quick, this initial method to jigsaw cutting a circle into wood is perfect for your needs.
It does not need a great deal of measurement or building. All that is required is the tracing and cutting of the shapes.
Keep in mind that this technique is better suited to more experienced carpenters due to the fact that it places a greater emphasis on your own abilities. In this case, you are not utilizing the services of a guide.
Step 1: Draw A Circle Around Yourself
Choose the piece of wood that will be used for carving the circle as the first stage in the process.
Make use of measuring tools to ensure that your circle is appropriately located. Using a compass, you can draw a perfect circle on that piece of wood without any errors.
Step 2: Fixing The Work Piece Is The Second Step
The piece of wood that has been jig sawed should be clamped to a horizontal vice, workbench, or work table.
Never use a jigsaw to cut through anything that isn’t securely connected to the surface. This helps to keep you safe while you’re cutting and provides you with additional stability.
Step 3: Drill A Pilot Hole To Use As A Starting Point
Before you begin cutting, make sure the jigsaw blade is properly inserted into the wood to be cut.
So the first step will be to drill a hole in the wood as a result of the above. This is the location where you will place the jigsaw blade.
You may use a drill to produce a beginning hole for your circle out of wood if you’re cutting it out of a compass form. This will help you cut a perfect circle inside the shape.
If you’re carving a circle out of wood for later use, drill the first hole outside of the compass form to avoid damaging the wood.
Step 4: The Fourth Step Is To Draw A Circle
Simply insert the jigsaw blade into the first hole of the drill, start it, increase the speed to maximum speed, and then push the blade around the perimeter of the circle indicated with the compass in step 1 to complete the project.
Step 5: Sanding Is The Sixth Stage In The Process
Because of the limitations of jigsaws in terms of fine detail and precision work, the circle’s edges are likely to be rough in appearance.
After that, smooth the edges with sandpaper or a belt sander to make them even.
The Second Technique Is Known As The Precise Approach
Because it is reliant on your own talent and hand-eye synchronization, the first approach is best suited to more experienced carpenters.
This is the method that I recommend, particularly for novices. Because a jig must be constructed in order to guide the jigsaw around the circular pattern, the procedure takes longer and requires more effort, but the cutting process is far easier and more precise as a result of the guiding.
Step 1: In The First Stage, Draw A Circle Around Yourself
There are no differences between this approach and the quick cutting method in terms of the first phase.
Make use of a compass and other measuring devices to establish the exact location of the circle and to draw a perfect form in the piece of wood into which you want to carve a circle before starting the carving process.
Step 2: Put The Jig Back Together In
Building the jig or guide that will support the jigsaw and eliminate the need to follow the outline by hand is now the priority.
Simply pushing the saw ahead while letting the jig to determine the direction is all that is required with this guide.
Beginning with a narrow rectangular piece of plywood (similar to a thin board) that is slightly longer than the diameter of your circle, cut a circle.
The diameter of a circle is defined as the circumference of a circle measured from one side to the other.
Using the same example, if your circle is 15 inches in diameter, cut the plywood to be roughly 18 inches in diameter (having a little more area to work with is always great).
Assemble this piece of plywood such that it completely around the perimeter of the circle.
Making use of a pencil or other marking device, measure the circumference of the circle (half of the diameter – the radius of a circle is the measurement from the center to the outside).
To put it another way, you’re trying to find the precise center of the circle you’re looking at.
Your piece of plywood should be used to make a mark in the center of the circle (the radius of your circle should match the length of the piece of plywood from the exact center to the outside).
Align the center of the circle with the middle point of the plywood, then lightly connect the plywood to the piece of wood that is being cut with a drill and a screw.
Make certain that the circle’s center is parallel to the middle of the plywood.
From one side to the other, you should have a circular piece of wood in the center, with a softly linked rectangular piece of plywood encircling it from one side to the other.
This piece of plywood should be able to revolve in a circle smoothly, as it will be used as a guide for your jigsaw throughout construction.
The jigsaw puzzle will be provided on this tutorial in the future stage, so stay tuned.
Step 3: Remove The Jigsaw From The Guide & Place It In A Safe PlaceP
The jigsaw puzzle has now been assembled on the previously created instructions.
You must now find the exact location on the plywood that corresponds to the circle’s outside/circumference on which you are working.
This is the location where the saw blade that will be used to cut the exact circle will be set up shop.
It is now necessary to determine the width and length of the jigsaw’s base plate.
Using a jigsaw, three little scrap pieces of wood will be cut and attached to a plywood guide that wraps around the base plate of the machine.
You should now have a little three-sided wall around the whole perimeter of the jigsaw and in front of the base plate.
Using this method, you will be able to hold the jigsaw in place while you work.
Step 4: Drill The Starter Hole In Step 4 To Use As A Guide
In this case, too, a beginning hole must be bored, exactly as in the previous fast method.
Making an initial hole through the plywood guide and the piece of wood through which the circle will be carved using your drill will be a good beginning point.
Make certain that the initial hole is drilled in the precise location of the cut. The initial hole must be aligned with the circumference of the circle in order for it to be complete.
Place the plywood guide in the jigsaw and make sure the blade glides through the first hole from the top of the plywood guide to the bottom of the object to be cut before starting the jigsaw and cutting.
Step 5: Put The Cut Together As A Whole
Making the cut has become less difficult as a result of the assistance you provided in the previous rounds. Simply turn on the jigsaw and increase the speed to the highest setting before moving it ahead.
You may use the circular guide to move the blade around the perimeter of the circle instead of having to do so manually.
With the aid of the guide, you’ll be able to keep on target. Keeping the saw running until the cut is complete.