Recommendation for Circle Cutting Jig - Homemade or Purchased

[grbmds]

I have a need to cut a circle of about 6" in diameter and am looking for a manufactured or homemade jig which would cut a circle on either a bandsaw or with a router or router table. The minimum diameter would need to be 6" to do my current project, but I would, of course, use it in the future to cut larger circles, although I don't really have any project in mind which would define an upper limit on the diameter right now.

I'd rather make one, but don't want to spend hours on it. In that case, I'd just as soon spend a little money and buy one. So I'm interested in either plans or after market accessories. Thanks for any suggestions.

Randy

 

[AndyUK]

Festool do a Router Trammel for the of 1010 which can cut holes from 153mm to 760mm.

 

[Dangermouse]

I'd just make one, a strip of 3/4 ply, 30mm hole drilled to take a guide bush and then work out the offset for your bush/cutter combo

 

[mouppe]

If you have the guide rail attachment for the OF1400, you can unscrew the knob and replace it with a 45mm M6 bolt. Then you can screw this into a threaded insert marking your centre point.

Not only will this enable you to also use the micro-adjust on the guide rail attachment, but it will give you a repeatable jig where the hole will not widen over time (which is the case if you simply use a nail or screw.

The maximum radius is about 12inches or so. The insert and bolt will cost you no more then $2-3!

I am in the middle of a project where I need to cut very precise circles with the OF1400 and a making a video showing the process. I'll post it here when done.

 

[thedude306]

The Jasper jig is pretty nice.  I think the only limitation is that it is not infinitely adjustable. 
http://www.parts-express.com/Search.aspx?keyword=jasper jig&sitesearch=true

I personally have the Perfect Circle jig.  It's fantastic for my needs. 
http://www.mobilesolutions-usa.com/store/p278/Mobile_Solutions_Perfect_Circle.html

 

[mouppe]

The guide stop worked like a dream. I was able to mate the centre circle and outside circle so closely that I needed to tap them into place with a hammer.

I couldn't shoot a video of the trammel setup because I was working in my garage, but here's a video of me fitting and glueing the two pieces together, and a photo of the trammel setup.

 

[waho6o9]

http://microfence.com
http://microfence.com/circle-jigs-c-23.html?osCsid=6b9ce488cc7ca201a1eecf3b86141c10

Spendy but worth it.

 

[grbmds]

http://microfence.com
http://microfence.com/circle-jigs-c-23.html?osCsid=6b9ce488cc7ca201a1eecf3b86141c10

Spendy but worth it.

[member=7659]waho6o9[/member] I'm sure the results are fantastic, but the problem is I don't cut enough circles to justify it (even though I've spent that much or more without solid justification). Plus, my wife changed her mind and now wants it to be oval. We found a wood oval about the size needed in a crafts store and will use that as a template to cut the oval out of the wood and with the edging needed.

Just for information purposes, I did find an inexpensive and quick way to make a circle jig for the bandsaw on finewoodworking.com.

Thanks to all though. I investigated all the suggestions. They were all great!

 

[Bohdan]

[member=7882]RL[/member] if you reverse the guide rail attachments in your suggestion you can reduce the minimum diameter of your circle significantly and still maintain the micro-adjust function.

 

[chrisrosenb]

The Jasper jig is pretty nice.  I think the only limitation is that it is not infinitely adjustable. 
http://www.parts-express.com/Search.aspx?keyword=jasper jig&sitesearch=true

I personally have the Perfect Circle jig.  It's fantastic for my needs. 
http://www.mobilesolutions-usa.com/store/p278/Mobile_Solutions_Perfect_Circle.html

I will second the Jasper jigs. They work well. Amazon sells them.

 

[mouppe]

[member=7882]RL[/member] if you reverse the guide rail attachments in your suggestion you can reduce the minimum diameter of your circle significantly and still maintain the micro-adjust function.

Yes, good point.