How to Cut Circles on a Table Saw

[@cadguyfrompti]

Using a jig like this I had the saw grab a circle and "frisbee" it across the shop. I recommend adding a toggle clamp to the jig to be sure the workpiece can't shift, allowing it to be grabbed by the blade.

[@sum1sw]

EXACTLY, I had that happen too. I now use the GRR-RIPPER to apply pressure on the piece that is to become a circle to increase friction between this piece and the circle jig. This is more likely to happen when cutting the first 4 corners, a little less likely to happen when cutting the next 8 pieces. Furthermore, the jig panel should be at least 1/2" otherwise the pivot nail won't hold in place.

[@jimkb8tbi]

Also, raise the blade well above the top of the stock so it is cutting more down and not horizontal. Had the "frisbee" experience with the blade just over the stock. Scary!!

[@opensky07]

This video is great, I added left tilt to the blade to create bevels on MDF circles.

[@artjiblaframes.7190]

Your words are very clear and simple... you are great at your work.

[@bryanwelch766]

Excellent instruction and method. I tried using a scroll saw and router jig to make circles and like this approach best.

[@ratofvengence]

Thank you. Just used this idea to do wheels for a cart I'm making for our school production of Aladdin :)

[@MarkMcCall51]

Exactly what I was looking for. THANK YOU!!!!

[@malarkeman]

Amazing video! This has saved me a lot of time and mental anguish. Now I can confidently make circular cuts into the wood I have. Thank you!

[@strayhandycat2753]

Fantastic technique!

[@tonyclancy6493]

Yeah have used this jig for a number of circles works really well

[@deadheaders86]

Love your videos and I have a question. I made the circle.. could I use the same type of jig to ise the table saw blade to lightly score the circle to be used as a raised panel? Then make a similar jig to cut the circle in a vertical orientation to dinisht he raised panel? Please and thanks.

[@abuali4981]

That's was so brief and great

[@roncooke2188]

Great video just made 2 perfect circles and exact size i needed thanks

[@learitee444]

*Excellent concept*

Aprendi com vc 😃🐱😃 agradeço sua ajuda!

[@scottmclean4237]

Great video , would you be able to make this a accurate hexagon cutting jig ,? It looked perfect when you cut the hexagon but I want to make a whole table top of hexagons so obviously any minor mistakes would stand out Thanks

[@joeshaft]

Good video. First person I ever saw do this was +jimmy diresta. I've used the very same method on my band saw too, it works just as well.

[@enriquequintela4453]

Exellent idea. Thanks. Your video is usefull. I follow his works

[@myerwerl]

Amazing.

[@munch15a]

do you have to worry about tear out on hard or soft woods ?

[@squarelevelplumb]

I'm glad it cuts round circles.

[@phillipiacobacci1369]

Very good info, thanks

[@14jan141]

...super! 👍👍👍

[@canaan5337]

This should be just what I need to make a bigger better disc sander attachment for my lathe because my tiny bandsaw is not up to the challenge.

[@munch15a]

oh also is there a lower limite to the size of circle before it starts being unsafe ?

[@colinltube]

I guess as soon as you need to have your fingers too close to the blade :D (but for that size of circles, hole saws are another solution!

[@jamesallen6007]

Thanks

[@howtocreatesculptures6713]

Thanks for making such a nice presentation and video , you sure make it look easy, i'm gonna do it with a bolt and washer through the jig just for safety : ) thanks !

[@tokialejo]

Nice..

[@dennismanansala6467]

Is it possible to make a table saw with scoring blade using circular saw

[@dbennett4]

The only issue is the edge is not square to the faces with this method. Flip it over and run the last pass again it will come out better!

[@buysjd]

This can be done faster with the same jig. Lower the blade to below the work piece, put the pivot point at the center of the blade. Raise the blade with the saw running until it contacts the work piece. Spin the work piece 360*. Then repeat the process - continue to raise the blade a little more into the piece and rotate until you have cut all the way through.

[@mikebare3677]

WARNING: this is not safe. I've followed you a lot and you have taught me many things and now it's my turn to share my experience with you. I recently made an accent lamp with 23 3/4" disks of differing sizes, 3" to 12" diameters and I built a jig almost identical to yours. Here's the problem and it resulted in 2 injured fingers when it exploded (and it could have been much, much worse). The issue is the final step where you don't move the jig and, instead, turn the disk into the blade by hand. The problem is, because the disk is free to rotate, the possibility exists that, while you're turning the disk with your hands, the blade will briefly catch, jerk the disk out of your grip and start turning it by itself. Since the blade moves fast, when this starts, the disk rotates FASTER and FASTER and, in a matter of seconds, the nail will bend and the disk will come flying off the jig like Captain America's shield. If your fingers (or your head) is in the way, it get's whammed (if you're lucky) or severed if you're unlucky. I was lucky. Just an FYI.

[@kevinkennedy7237]

Agree with you Mike, stick with the band saw, way safer with much better results. If you don't have a band saw use a hand held jig saw or even a router. This table saw method is silly and very dangerous.

[@ReallyWemja]

Thanks for this information, could a possible solution be a bold trough the sled and a metal tube that snugly fits between the bolt and the wood? It can be held in place with a nut at the top. This would mean there is a larger hole in the workpiece but it wouldn't jump off the sled as easily.

[@theorganguy]

my solution would be to screw in a long handle at a random point in the disc... this will leave a second hole in it, but that could be patched up later. Use the handle to turn the disc as it cuts... you will keep a firm grip on the disc while keeping your hands far away from the blade. The disc can not spin out of control as long as you hold that handle tight the whole time. Key notion here is: do not do the final cut "too early" - meaning: do not attempt to skip some of the multigon cut-offs, if too much is still sticking out (more then the saw blades width) it can indeed end up binding on the blade, which will cause deflection of the blade and you have Mikes situation...

[@ReallyWemja]

That would be better, thanks for the idea. I also subbed to your channel btw, Did you build some of the organs yourself or did you buy them ?

[@TheFalconJetDriver]

mike bare thanks for posting your comment you may have saved a few fingers and perhaps serious injury to many. One of the weak ares of this jig is using a nail, as you rotate the MDF on that final cut the the previous rotations could have wallowed out the hole the nail is in. Thus the accident you described can and will take place as the disc rides up on the blade and kicking it back at the operator. This is in my opinion bad advice to make this jig in this manner. A router is a much safer way to do this.

[@DIYTech21]

Thanks :D

[@Volganin]

Useful video, like, subscription!

[@VKMilling]

I've been using a jig like this for years and not had the kinds of problems some of the commenters here have had. There are 2 good tips to making sure you do not get kickback and your circles com out clean. 1) Take small nibbles from your piece. Large cuts will cause you issues. You really need to nibble off the corners to get it down to the 32 or 64 side size before you try to do your rotation. 2) make absolutely certain that there is no play or wiggle in your pivot both in the base as well as your workpiece. Any wobble you have in either can result in a bad day, not just ruining your work but potentially hurting yourself as well. This same kind of jig and be used for a bandsaw or router table.

[@aaronfreeman4986]

It's crazy that I watched this video, and read the comments, and found one of our local sawmills. Love your channel too.

[@jacobc874]

So counterintuitive to think that this works, but nonetheless cool snd useful

[@GNU_Linux_for_good]

And the next time Mr. Marshall is gonna cut a piece of *MDF* he'll show us how to wear a respiratory mask just in order *not* breathing this carcinogenic, shitty dust. Other than that: *great* video.

[@jtbmetaldesigns]

I’m good until the last step. Cleaning up seems to be the most dangerous. I’d opt to make 64 corner polygon then just rotate gently on a belt sander. This is very similar to how I make steel circles with angle grinder

[@philippe888]

I agree thx, im going to do this. And use a toggle clamp on the jig.

[@kaikart123]

I would rather use the jig on a router

[@A.C.71]

what if your material is really thick like 1 1/2 inch..then not so much on the router idea.

[@kaikart123]

@@A.C.71 then use 2 inch straight cut bit

[@digidandan]

It has a serious mistake : you should use a screw instead of nail ! Extremely dangerous

[@bartvuijk5645]

Very dangerous. It can grab the piece and some fingers in the process saving your working piece. Please

[@1lapmagic]

Isn't this inherently unsafe as you should never actively turn a piece into a table saw blade?

[@pujo28]

Just use a “Hillary Tool”

[@טלשדמה]

Too much geometry in my eyes

[@jamesanthony5681]

I understand cutting off as much material as possible. But as you get closer to a 32-sided figure you run the possible risk of cutting inside the line. Why not stop at a 16-sided figure and then proceed with the final step of cutting the circle? That'd save a step.

[@swk5938]

just no. someone is going to loose a finger or worse doing this.

[@TheFalconJetDriver]

I will have to ad this is a very dangerous method to cut the MDF, heaven forbid a less forgiving material such as plywood or a solid wood. You have a serious potential of a kick back if the pivot pin becomes lose during the last cut. If you plan on making this type of jig use a bolt with a large washer and nylon lock nut to secure the potential projectile from coming off the pivot point this bolt will be your pivot point I would also epoxy that bolt to the jig with the head on the bottom with a through hole and a lock nut. The jig will be a bit thick, but much safer then this method in the video. I am not a safety troll, I don't even have a Guard on my table saw I try to be careful.

[@A.C.71]

or just use a simple screw

[@n05tr4d4177u5]

THIS IS DANGEROUS, DO NOT ATTEMPT AND SAVE YOUR FINGERS

[@A.C.71]

lol