Make a Cheap Circle Cutting Jig for your Band Saw and Make Perfect Circles!

This week I'm making a circle cutting jig on the cheap. I really needed to cut a Stabilized maple burl cap into a perfect circle to fit into a pvc pipe for a resin casting project I had coming up. I looked around the shop and came up with scrap materials to build this cheap circle cutting jig. This is super easy, but most band saws are not exactly the same as this , so you will just have to adapt what I did in this video to your jig. I do lots of resin casting, but I always find a way to incorporate woodworking.
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[@shaunfelton2046]

Brilliant idea, Jake.

[@JakeThompson]

Thank you Shaun!! 👍👍👊

[@jalker1205]

Love it Jake .. your my kinda man

[@JakeThompson]

I’m glad you enjoyed the video!!👍👍👊

[@DeadriseWoodCrafts]

Great jig and tips!!!!! Thanks Jake

[@JakeThompson]

Thank you buddy!!👍👍

[@sonyhk3824]

Nice job. Thanks Jake 👍

[@JakeThompson]

Thank you.. 👍👍👍👊👊

[@AndyCPugh]

I bet you're glad you got ROUND to doing this.

[@JakeThompson]

Andy Pugh Lol.. good one Andy!! 😂😂

[@SteveC38]

Nice Jig Jake👍

[@JakeThompson]

Thank you Steve.. I’m glad you like it! 👍👍

[@dtork47]

Great idea, I need to make one. Thanks and stay safe.....

[@JakeThompson]

Awesome.. you will have fun making one.. it was a nice little project.

[@danthemakerman]

Nice one man!

[@JakeThompson]

Thank you Dan!!👍👊

[@kelleysanders282]

Nice job 👍🏻

[@JakeThompson]

💪💪

[@charlesreicks648]

That looks good. I think I will make one as well. Thanks

[@JakeThompson]

Thank you Charles. I wish I would have done mine sooner. 👍👍

[@richdbolduc]

That is 100% how i made mine a year ago. It works great :D

[@richdbolduc]

I went with a slightly larger screw in my t-track though so once cut, I can screw it directly in to a worm wood screw

[@JakeThompson]

That’s a great idea. Thank you for watching Rich! I’m glad you enjoyed it.

[@samswoodshop9937]

Jake instead of the T track make the slot wider and use a floating circle and double sided tape then no need for holes. there is a you tube video on that circle jig, sorry I did not remember the site, I'll look and get back with you. I like your work.

[@JakeThompson]

Thanks Sam . Pretty smart

[@MikeT]

Nice build

[@JakeThompson]

Thank you Mike!! 👍👍👊

[@michaelthomas3616]

Great idea. Love the info videos.

[@JakeThompson]

Thank you Michael.. I’m glad you enjoy them.. 👍👍

[@bobbyfowler7319]

Great project! Maybe a dowel rod for your starting point. Be safe, live your channel. Beach, NC

[@JakeThompson]

Thank you Bobby!! I’m glad you like it!👍👍👊

[@manicmaker52]

Crazy cool video, Great job..I did get your stickers today Thanks...

[@JakeThompson]

Awesome.. I’m glad they made it.. I’m glad you liked the video.

[@Hencley]

Gonna give it a try.

[@JakeThompson]

Awesome! You should have fun. 👍👍

[@arturobeckett4452]

BDT lol good vid bro! 💯🔥👌🏼

[@JakeThompson]

Thank you Brother 👍👍👍 BDB 💪💪

[@eddiehall5644]

Good video thanks

[@JakeThompson]

Eddie Hall Thank you Eddie!! Glad you liked it!👍

[@jpwoodwork]

hey Jake!! nice video

[@JakeThompson]

Whooooo Hoooooo

[@LarryDMitchell]

I like the simplicity, ease of use and functionality of this jig. I just received some rough wood and need to get a batch ready for bowls and this will do just the trick. No bells, whistles or extraneous lights and sounds...just get'r done!

[@JakeThompson]

Thank you Larry!!! Get’r Done!!

[@Thedestressguy]

clean, elegant and simple- oh ya, cheap and fast! Thanks for putting this out on the web. I'm going to build it today!

[@JakeThompson]

Awesome... I’m glad you enjoyed.. it works great. 👍👍

[@stevewhite8161]

Really cool idea Jake, thanks for taking the time to show us a way of getting this accomplished without breaking the bank

[@JakeThompson]

Absolutely Steve.. not everything has to be bought.. thank you for watching!👍👍

[@BearCreekWoodworking]

Great way to use scraps and make a useful jig Jake!

[@JakeThompson]

Thank you Carl!! I’m pretty happy with it.

[@daveporter2555]

I really like the idea of using the T-track for making fine adjustment. Great idea. Enjoyed as always--Dave.

[@JakeThompson]

Thank you Dave!! I’m happy that you enjoyed it.

[@thewooddom8965]

Great idea and simple enough to do, thanks for this Jake.

[@JakeThompson]

The Wood Dom I’m glad you enjoyed it! I’m pretty happy with it. 👍👍

[@jencstephens5452]

I like that it's more adjustable than the style we made with pin holes set in the board itself. Looks like we will be making a new one 🙂 Thank you for sharing

[@JakeThompson]

Thank you for watching Jen.. I’m glad you enjoyed it!👍

[@jimpike3489]

Thanks for the video Jake, lots of video's on youtube lately making these jigs, at least you explain what you are doing and how to upscale it. Thanks for sharing

[@JakeThompson]

Thank you Jim.. I’m glad I can help.

[@CrossCutCreations]

I've needed to make a circle cutting jig for a long time. Thanks for the inspiration. Good work, Jake.

[@JakeThompson]

Thank you Robert.. it was super easy.. I should have done it a long time ago..

[@eddieagha5851]

Great idea Jake, using the T-Track upside-down! For my "pin" I use a 5/16" treaded rod cut from any bolt that screws into a female 5/16" insert set into the slider. That way I can make the "pin" pointy or flat, depending on the size of the blank I'm cutting. For a bowl blank I just drill 5/16" hole and use a flat topped pin screwed into the insert. Allows for cutting much heavier pieces. I made a dovetail slider. Much more complicated than your T-Track. I wish I'd thought of that! BTW you can turn your T-Track around 180 degrees and cut a much larger circle!

[@JakeThompson]

Eddie Agha Thank you Eddie.. I’m glad you enjoyed it.. your jig sounds awesome!!

[@weshenson5338]

I've watched this a couple times now and just made my own today. I adapted for the parts I had on hand. Thanks for the video.

[@JakeThompson]

Wes Henson Absolutely welcome.. glad I could help ya out! 👍👍

[@mikewickham1767]

I made one of these some time a go, and it works great. I had pre-drilled holes and a nail to place the timber on, but the T-track idea is so much better. Thanks.

[@JakeThompson]

Thank you Mike!! I’m glad you liked it and I’m happy I could give you ideas to make yours better. 👍

[@HodgePodgeWoodWorks]

Great looking jig. Need to make one myself and I'm definitely incorporating the t-track.

[@JakeThompson]

Thank you sir.. the track works awesome!!

[@RadioFaceWoodWorks]

Hi Jake...great jig for turners...dont know if you do any flat work...Judy at Inspire Woodworks made a nice one that doesn't need a hole in the piece like a table top.. really look forward to your videos...stay safe buddy...press on 😎

[@JakeThompson]

Thank you.. I’m glad you enjoy the videos.. plenty more to come.

[@ConnieConnie824]

So simple and very useful 👍🏻👍🏻 I've always wanted a bandsaw, maybe one day I'll get a bigger shed to fit more toys 😁

[@JakeThompson]

Bandsaws are my favorites.. you got this.. 😄😄

[@dimensionswoodworks]

I really need to make one of these for my bandsaw! Cleaning up circles from the jigsaw is a pain! Good job buddy!

[@JakeThompson]

Thanks man.. it was super easy..

[@gordroberts53]

Hi Jake. This popped up on my notifications today and happy it did. I made something similar several years ago but my slider was a modified French cleat. Using the T-track is brilliant, will be reworking mine but will epoxy a roofing nail (generally 1/8" diam) instead of the self tapper. Great job thanks for sharing!

[@JakeThompson]

Thank you Gord.. that’s the beauty of these kind of things.. no one is right or wrong.. but I like to see the different ideas come out of theses types of projects. 👍👍

[@stoptouchingmyhair5218]

The economy needs those pennies.. Great vid thou!

[@JakeThompson]

Lol.. I’m glad you enjoyed! 👍👍

[@debrajol3585]

I’m making wood rounds for resin art and this is a great way to get it done! Thanks for the measurements of how wide .. 22” is pretty good sized. Can’t wait to see what ya do with the round burl! Cheers 🥂

[@JakeThompson]

I’m super happy you enjoyed the video!! Here’s what I did with the Burl. kzbin.info/www/bejne/o4TLeHeGoMulqsU

[@marklengal9990]

Jake. Have you ever made a segmented jig for the band saw? Good job on this

[@JakeThompson]

Thank you Mark.. I haven’t made one but it’s a good idea.

[@sakaj]

Different take to circle jig. I made one about a month back. I used metal T track in guide where you used wood with wooden stop for bandsaw table. Where you mortised out area where you put your metal T track , I just marked a hole every inch perpendicular to bandsaw blade and used a 3/8 inch drill bit and drilled 1/2 inch deep. Plywood was 3/4 thick. I cut a small piece df 3/8 in dowel that can be inserted into hole . Drilled 3/8 in hole in Burl to fit wooden dowel and based on circumference I wanted just move down in one inch increments till I have the circumference I need for burl and inserted into hole I drilled. The 3/8 inch hole in Burl also will accept worm screw on Burl if I need to to turn on lathe. My overall length was 14 inches. The 3/8 dowel was couple bucks and plywood was about 6 bucks and T track was about 5 bucks. Nice job 👍.

[@JakeThompson]

sakeithj Awesome.. I needed to do this for a long time.. I’m not sure what the holdup was... lol 👍👍

[@GeraldJensen]

Looks a lot like the jig I built (10 years ago!). Only real difference is mine has a 1/4"x20 tpi x 1/2" long bolt for a pivot pin. Always intended to make a nicer version of ... just haven't seen the need to yet.

[@JakeThompson]

Lol once it works.. it works.. I’m glad you enjoyed! 👍👍

[@LouAdzima]

I like the metal slide idea very good. I take it that the resin won't stick to the PCP pipe???

[@JakeThompson]

I use mold release inside the pvc.. it works pretty well....... most of the time.. 😂

[@allanmoulton3745]

If you put the screw in the outside end of the track, you can double your cutting radius.

[@JakeThompson]

Thank you Allan! Great idea. 👍👍

[@SilverBack.]

Jake thank you for sharing the jig video, my 1953 Delta Homecraft 10"band saw has No slot in the table is there a way to make a circle jig for it ????

[@JakeThompson]

Hmmmm I would have to think about it or look it up and see if someone has done it before.

[@paulhawvermale1606]

Can you tilt the table so one can put an angle on edge of disc?

[@JakeThompson]

My table does tilt.

[@arturofuentes3793]

Hey great video bro..I was being nosey and noticed your Dewalt palm sander..that dust connection you have on it from rockler the blue one...what size is it I been needing some adapters just like that just don’t wanna order the wrong ones..thanks

[@JakeThompson]

Im glad you enjoyed the video.. I’m not sure what size that adapter is.. it came with the hose set.

[@BradsWorkbench]

Oh man, im so unhappy with Jet customer service right now. My 18" jet bandsaw murdered itself. Spindle from drive pulley just completely sheared in half. A 1" thick solid steel "pin" shouldnt break in half from rotational force! Sorry to unload.... the jig is awesome. Nice take on it

[@JakeThompson]

Thanks brad.. I’m glad you like it.. I hope you get your saw fixed..

[@jimpike3489]

Hey Jake, meant to ask, the scores on the wall in the workshop, what are they? And what is the significance of them? Not high enough for basketball, so either baseball or American football I think.

[@JakeThompson]

Those are American football records for the season..

[@lonewolfcry]

Jake, Thank you for sharing this. I do have a question. What do you do with the cutoffs that are left?

[@JakeThompson]

I’m glad you enjoyed.. if it’s stabilized wood.. I will keep it for scrap projects

[@lonewolfcry]

@@JakeThompson i am always on the lookout for scraos that the. Scouts can use for their projects

[@stevegronsky8904]

You Tube hasn't sent me a notification on my laptop for almost a month now. I never know when new videos get posted.

[@JakeThompson]

I wish I knew what to do about that.. it’s killing my channel.. 😕

[@stevegronsky8904]

@@JakeThompson not just yours from what I'm reading.

[@johnfromnewjersey9720]

the saw blade guide should be just above the work. More support.....

[@JakeThompson]

Thank you John

[@pyeman1969]

We dont have pennies in Canada anymore...whatsoever am I gonna do? Love the video. I really like the way you work, kind of like Steve Ramsay with a little southern charm, good job!

[@JakeThompson]

pyeman1969 Thank you for the compliments. I appreciate it. 👍👍

[@The1bigjim]

you made a shop tip complicated with many cover up mistakes

[@JakeThompson]

Sorry I wasted your time.. I show how it really happens instead of editing and making it look like I had no problems.