4 Ways to Cut Circles in Wood // DIY Circle Cutting Jigs

In this woodworking video, I’ll show you 4 ways to cut circles in wood using DIY circle cutting jigs. Learn how to cut circles in wood using various circle cutting jigs like a router circle jig, bandsaw circle jig, table saw circle jig or a jigsaw.
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►TOOLS & MATERIALS USED (affiliate links):
· CMT upspiral bit amzn.to/3e8MBRM
· CMT flush trim bit amzn.to/2Gf1vts
· CMT Combination table saw blade amzn.to/3eb8IHf
· CMT jigsaw blade amzn.to/37TPQLS
· Magswitch amzn.to/3kG6JNV
· Bosch Router amzn.to/3e946Bt
· Router plunge base amzn.to/3kISHLf
· Worx jigsaw amzn.to/2HMDSJb
· Ryobi cordless nailer amzn.to/3e6o53Y
· Rikon bandsaw
· DAP Rapidfuse amzn.to/3mx2Afy
· Grr-ripper amzn.to/3mBqfM0
· Milescraft push pads amzn.to/3kTXLg9
· Flush cut saw amzn.to/3jHWVlc
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►MUSIC
Cover by Patrick Patrikios
►CHAPTERS
0:00 Intro
0:29 Router circle jig
2:51 Router jig + Jigsaw
5:08 Bandsaw Circle jig
8:15 Table saw circle jig
10:44 Wrap up

[@SeanD313]

Don't think I've seen a circle-cutting jig video that actually compares the various types... this is great!

[@DIYMontreal]

Awesome, that's great! Thanks 😊

[@DREDKNOT2063]

@@DIYMontreal Hey I need some help I've got a plunge router with a variable speed from 8000rpm to 26000rpm and I'm trying to cut though 3in of southern pine wood with a 4in long 1/2in shank and 1/2in round straight cut bit with double flutes but I can't seem to bite into the wood an I've tried speeds from 8000 - 26000 rpm I'm I just using the wrong bit or is it just not doable or should I use a spiral upcut bit

[@DIYMontreal]

@@DREDKNOT2063 I think the issue is the straight bit. Especially if it's 1/2. I'm using a 1/4 spiral bit. This article might help you: www.woodcraft.com/blog_entries/spiral-router-bits-vs-straight-router-bits#

[@jean6061]

I came on KZbin this evening to learn how to cut a circle from a piece of wood and was delighted to find you had this topic covered! What a pleasure to have instruction on this from a woman for a change! Thank you!

[@heavyglassglass]

Lol what a very literally sexist perspective. What does it matter if you learn it from a man or a woman? I think the skill and ability to teach that she shows in this video carries all the merit, not her sex

[@PBMatNight]

​@@heavyglassglass see where youre coming from but considering that women typically dont do this kind of work, it can be less intimidating for a woman to see a woman in this field. 🤷‍♂️

[@heavyglassglass]

@@PBMatNight why would it be intimidating to learn working from a guy on youtube??

[@slimeprivilege]

​@@heavyglassglassyoure a dunce

[@tiffanypittman4814]

@@heavyglassglassit’s called female empowerment! Seeing another woman doing something that is predominantly done by males, makes women feel more empowered and confident.

[@user-bt8wb6gc7h]

The bandsaw method worked for me very well. For those who might be interested, I have enhanced the bandsaw jig by adding a T-Track that allows me to slide the "spindle" to set different radii.. As a result, I don't have to re-drill and can fine tune the radius. I also created a similar jig for the table saw that allows me to sand the edges of the circles I make on the bandsaw jig (Infinity Tools sells a 10" Sanding Disk).

[@sadlermercantile]

Very informative and thorough. No incessant talking about things that don't pertain to the video/subject (like most KZbinrs do). Love this so much!!! Thank you!!

[@Bassassinator]

You just helped me save a TON of time on several pieces of my designs! Thank you!!

[@nickytembo4572]

Loved your video and I think you have wonderful ideas. Not sure if you ever heard of the show the new yankee workshop it was a public television show and norm abrams who was the master carpenter did several of the jigs you display here back in the nineties. One was to make a round table top in a large piece of plywood and he did it with a bandsaw in one pass with similar results . Later on in another episode he took and remade the jig so he didn’t have to keep drilling holes all over the board for different sized table tops he made it so you could adjust it for multiple sized tops. He also did the router trick too. I think you’re both wonderful and very capable keep up the good work norm retired from the show but he still stays connected with the woodworking. Take care and god bless.

[@Jeff-gw1dv]

Your router idea using a scrap piece of plywood as a guide is going to save me a few bob when I cut a round 2 ft piece of wood to fit on top of upside down flower pots as a small table , worth a good drink . Thank you ladies for posting . Will keep an eye open for more ideas

[@paul9377]

I didn't think about this - really very smart 4:00 Thank you.

[@cosmicbrotv6525]

Thank you

[@davidhopkinson6647]

Also went with method 1 - used a bungee cord to hang the power cable above so it wouldn't get in the way. And yeah that worked so slick! 4 perfect circles to make the wheels for my trojan rabbit - thanks for the tips!

[@ekhles104]

very very very excellent

[@julieb3581]

Your ban saw method is sweet! I can't wait to build my own jig. THANK YOU!

[@alanfreedman5877]

Method 1, plunge router method, worked like a charm! I used an up spiral bit and alternated between clockwise and counterclockwise to manage the power cord. Seemed to work well. Loved that you added chapters to the video.

[@topgraincarpentry2714]

Marie, I absolutely love your videos! They are straight forward, and very informative for beginners and experienced woodworkers alike. I recently commissioned 16 tables that were built using 2" thick oak (reclaimed bowling alley lanes) that definitely required using my router and a jig (which is my favorite method). Sure, it's extremely messy and a very slow process; but it gives the best results! I just think there's something unnatural about making round cuts with a table saw! 🤣😂 However, it's a great method for somebody with limited power tools. I do use my bandsaw and a circle cutting jig to make coaster sets and it is very quick and allows for a lot of repetition with minimal hassle during the busy (pre-holiday) season.

[@rosshemmings9384]

Norm from New Yankee Workshop made a bandsaw jig like yours but made it super wide, 3' or more if memory serves me right. He added a leg to support the massive overhand and did drill and tap the table but it did allow for some impressively large circles.

[@DIYMontreal]

Wow! That's quite the jig! I love the bandsaw for small circles 👌🏻

[@robertmcdonald3101]

Ive seen the same video from norm, made one for myself , works great

[@TheWendyJohnson]

Thanks for showing us the different methods. Just ordered the upspiral bit you recommend. Thank you!

[@paytonjohnson660]

Thanks for sharing your knowledge. Your confidence is contagious so I’m going to attempt cutting circles on my bandsaw and router. I’ve successfully made them on my table saw but the smallest one so far is twelve inches in diameter. If I can cut smaller ones on the bandsaw that would be awesome.

[@cranesgonewild]

My favourite method was the bandsaw as well. I’m going to make this one for sure. Thanks for sharing.

[@DennisFahlstrom]

Marie, Norm Abram (New Yankee Workshop) made a circle cutting jig with virtually no size limits. It’s the same as yours but his has an extension that’s part of the base with the pivot point set at the desired radius. He ran a slot from the blade to the end of the extension so you can lock the pivot point at the desired length. It also has a support leg at the end of the extension. 😀. Love your podcasts.

[@tropicalspeedbmw]

Thanks for making this! Im new to wood working and this was exactly what I needed to learn how to cut discs.

[@williamellis8993]

Great video, Marie. I've watched a lot of these and I have a couple of comments to maybe give a little variation. On the first method, if you don't want the hole in the workpiece, step up the pivot end of the jig and double side tape a block to the workpiece and guide it from that. On the jigsaw method, I've seen a short pattern bit (bearing on top) used before flipping it over and then flip it and use the flush trim bit. I hope these help you. It was still a great video with your explanations and comparisons. Stay safe and well. BYW - my favorite is still your hexagon jig. Bill

[@recipio6561]

Great delivery straight to camera and no BS. If you have endgrain tearout just build a jig for your disc sander - perfect circles and sanded as well !

[@user-gv5xw2vt7b]

thanks !you are so kind ..감사합니다 !

[@johntaylor1570]

This is the third video I have viewed on this topic but the best - don't need any more! Agree that the band saw jig is the simplest one I have seen.

[@danielt1739]

I don't have much to add on top of what has been said, but thank you for such varied options for cutting a circle and comparison of different methods. You are competent, lucid, clear, and make great, helpful videos. Happy New Year to you. Daniel

[@hillbillykoi5534]

Your video came up on my search. Wife showed me a picture of a shelf that hangs on wall our daughter wants for Christmas. It's a circle and those have been my bane 😆. Going to give that first method a try!

[@pattonlowenstein2339]

This was great! Really straightforward and repeatable techniques. Can't wait to get back into my garage to use them!

[@DIYMontreal]

Awesome, thanks! Enjoy

[@therealharveyktel]

Thank you! I followed your advice and made a jig for my router to cut a 36” round coffee table down to a 19” side table with really great results!

[@Sussy-hotdog]

I like how you preview what you’re gonna do first, then you do it, and then you review what you’ve done at the end. Very nice instructional video. Thank you.

[@dennisrambo1983]

I use a 1/2" straight bit on my router with a similar jig, cutting a 1/4" deep groove. I jigsaw the groove as you did leaving a small residual amount left of the groove. Lower the bit and ride on the shank to clean up the circle...works great with just one bit!

[@martinchiesa6020]

Love the way in which you present, explain and the speed. Just perfect!

[@owenb9370]

Well presented. I learned something!

[@acobster]

The bandsaw method is quite elegant!

[@emmaboundy85]

Thank you for the inspiration! I built that band saw jig today and it worked like a charm :)

[@OrangeSolaire]

Another simple, though rough, method that's budget friendly is using a string attached to a thumb tack at the center to draw the edge line, and then cutting with a jig saw. I used this method to make my Danish round shield and it came out plenty well enough, given that it was my first time. Your content is great, cheers fellow Montrealer!

[@chriss2875]

Wow this is an awesome video - slow and video detail on the cuts. Wish all router videos were like this :) thank you

[@thomasbradley9067]

I have a 10” sanding disk for my table saw. After cutting the circle as you showed I change out the saw blade for the sanding disk. Then once around and the lumps are gone and there are no burn marks. It does involve changing the blade but the results were worth it.

[@fredfagan7631]

Always enjoy and learn new tricks from your shop. I've done the router with a guide a number of times but really dislike that cord snaking around and the multiple passes required. Never tried the bandsaw but fell in love with using my table saw. My jig is nowhere as large as yours but does work. Probably cranked out around 30 circles with the table saw in sizes from 24" down to around 5". Haven't been smart enough to hold down the wood with a hold down tool but think after watching you I'll change so that I can keep my fingers.

[@marquezlee]

Simply awesome. Inspiring and gave me the chops to make my curve cut. Thank you.

[@paulzsoka9037]

I really appreciate your straight forward approach.

[@ChristianCCrespi]

Gracias me fue muy útil... Saludos desde Costa Rica....Thank you, it was very useful... Greetings from Costa Rica.

[@gordenspringel]

I've never wanted to make a table... Until today. Great video!

[@TnikD69]

Awesome video - can't wait to try the router method! Thanks for sharing.

[@mikelechmanik6417]

Always great information. You make it look soooo easy. Thanks Much!

[@tanyaparker-callsign.kk7ic238]

Thank you for this video we went out and purchased a band saw from harbor freight our circles turned out great! We have a router just never used it and the band saw seemed much easier. Again thanks 🙏

[@stripermanly]

Excellent exhibitions of the different ways to cut circles.

[@ericsboxx]

This a very good video, I always curious on how to make a circle.

[@NWGR]

Great video! It was good to see a comparison of some of the popular methods used. :-) I prefer using a router jig because of how clean the cuts come out.

[@austinhastings8793]

Thanks for showing us all the little trouble spots. Good to know about the difficulties, as well as about the different options.

[@DIYMontreal]

You bet! 👍🏻

[@EthanBuilds]

Very helpful👌Thank you

[@jimmienewton6465]

DIY Montreal, Thank You So MUCH for posting this video!!! I needed to make a wooden pulley around 6 & 3/4" in diameter. I made a jig similar to your bandsaw jig (made to fit my little Ryobi "hobby" band saw.....) and I was really impressed with how well it worked! Thank you again for making this vid, and sharing the info.

[@tanpengjoo7205]

I liked those machines in your workshop

[@FranksDIY]

I've used all those methods and just wish I had a large bandsaw like yours . They all work great eccept with the touter more passes instead of trying to do it all at once. Great tips and jigs

[@DavidRobinson22-22]

Just found your channel. New fan here. Thanks for making your videos.

[@byronwells2784]

Thankyou so much for this! Just made the bandsaw jig for my old antique Craftsman. Perfect circles every time!

[@DIYMontreal]

My pleasure!

[@Joe-ev4fr]

Very professional and simply explained methods!! Thank you for sharing.

[@mrwhiskers8951]

Thank you for some wisdom!

[@IEnjoyCreatingVideos]

Great video comparing the 4 different ways on cutting circles Marie! I like the Router and bandsaw ways the best :) Thank you for sharing the video with us!💖👌👍😎JP

[@ifiwooddesigns]

Another great video! Thank you! I prefer the band saw and making a slight modification to cut different size diameters. Just like yours, I’d continue drilling holes alongside kerf cut in intervals and labeling them. For instance, there would be a 2” hole for 4” diameters, 3” for 6” diameters etc.. Then the only modification would be to move nail (or pin in my case) to desired radius and cut. If the diameter is too big for band saw table, I would use a workbench or some other support to rest the excess that hangs over the table.

[@R2d2koko]

Love the way u talk 💗 thank you

[@geraldip7525]

Thank you for sharing your ideas and your favourite one. Pretty clever! Merry Christmas!!

[@iq0099]

Rikon, the best!

[@ckamalklein2198]

Nice work! 😎 🤘

[@peterreitz8620]

Thanks for this video. Great ideas that I will certainly add to my ever-growing collection of jigs.

[@Coyotehello]

Allo Marie, Fantastique job at creating a very useful video. So glad you do not follow the YT trend: Oh did a video on this I will do one too! Your videos are useful! What a concept! I loved that you offer different ways of doing the same job depending what tool one has at his disposition. Mind you you are sporting Rikon tool, so I bow to you (!). For the router option why not just ad a vacuum and extractor accessory to the router? All this google search for me is to cut a circle to make an open baffle speaker set. 5/4 curly cherry is not cheep so I am glad to have found your tutorial!!!

[@JamesTalvy]

This is a great video! Thank you very much DIT Montreal for posting! The 8 people who thumbs down this video must be very strong critics of something minor the rest of us never saw.

[@yemarican]

Thank you very much. I learned something from you. I appreciate it.

[@rodwinch4378]

Used your bandsaw concept and it worked perfectly !! You Rock !!!

[@TeePeeB]

Excellent! Thank you.

[@Russel4973]

Very good. Lot's of tips and techniques that are very useful.

[@terridaigle6435]

this is terrific...thanks for time/effort into making this.

[@marcusferia414]

this channel's been blowing my mind . subscribed!

[@TeodoroCaton]

Excelente trabajo profesora. Gracias por compartir sus conocimientos

[@namoothewoodprojects]

Great idea💡 'm going to use one of these for my project!

[@myb7922]

Saved for future reference.

[@dianewendling6979]

Thank you!! Love this!!!

[@johnmoran2342]

THANK YOU VERY MUCH! I am a newbie to routers, and I was building a replacement outdoor kitchen table for my Big Green Egg. I was completely stressing out about how to cut the hole perfectly as my table was largely already completed. I affixed my router to a thin board (method 1) and it worked absolutely perfectly!

[@mark3799]

Awesome! Thank you.

[@StevenLarkin]

I was very glad to find your channel. needed to cut really small circle like 1.5" So I made your bandsaw jig and was quite pleased at the results. I am now making a modification to be able to slide the holding pin away and to the blade. This will give me some flexibility to make small to larger circlrcs

[@DIYMontreal]

Awesome, glad the video was helpful 👍

[@CARLOSRUIZ-pe3mo]

wow the last one dit not now that one!! thanks!!

[@bradlloyd3208]

Thank you lady, an excellent and informative video, - You sure have got some ultimate tools..!

[@mrcrbraun]

Great video! Much appreciated.

[@spacewalla3574]

Brilliant video. Thanks

[@KSFWG]

I just found your channel, watched a couple of videos, and subbed. Thanks for the videos !

Agradeço sua ajuda... parabéns pelo belo trabalho!

[@gzorg]

Thank you, very well done!

[@beksinski]

Perfect. I need to make some pottery bats.

[@jennifermcleanmclean3863]

I have been enjoying your videos! Concise and clear. Thak you! Fellow Mtler

[@Lalalumberland]

Great video😀 I always use the router circle jig. Safe and clean👍 Greetings from Norway🇳🇴

[@fredhamilton9113]

Just made a bandsaw circle cutting jig, only have a small hobby saw, followed how you did it, but mine does not have the miter slot, so have to use the fence. I knew what I wanted to do, but had no clue how to go about it. Your video was the tutorial I needed, thank you so much.

[@kostavafiadis1144]

I like your methods and your video is great.

[@user-bt8wb6gc7h]

Wow. What a valuable video. This is the first one of yours I've seen, but it won't be the last. Thank you.

[@MrTJRAO]

clean and perfect

[@adelkeryakos2641]

Superbe instruction👍. Thanks!

[@mikel4510]

Best instructional video on the internet. Actually instructs, no baffling BS or personal chitty-chat. Excellent videography. Stuck with the script. Great show & tell. 👍

[@AceWoodCo]

Awesome video! I like the table saw circle jig. Will definitely have to try that one day! Thanks

[@DIYMontreal]

Awesome, thanks! Enjoy 😊

[@louiegeorgemichael]

Hi, Just discovered your channel and I'm so happy to see a video using those methods in a safe way! You rock!!! PLEASE Viewers remember not to use the saw method on hard wood. Your hands will thank you!

[@ElizabethFranquiEsq]

Great video! So good to have the mystery out of the different methods! Love the channel!

[@DIYMontreal]

Thank you!

[@garywilliams1759]

Great, informative video - thank you for sharing your knowledge and skills 🙂

[@robertsullo7302]

Just got a new band saw and i'll be trying this method this weekend. Thanks for making it understandable.

[@DIYMontreal]

That's great! Totally love the bandsaw method.