LOVE the focus on safety here! Well done - this tutorial makes the circle jig accesible and, most importantly, SAFE! Thank you for such a simple and informative video!
7:57 You gradually lift the blade in small increments to avoid burning. Start at the very bottom of the circle and do just about 1/8 inch. Then slowly lift the blade 1/2 turn at a time. No more burning.
Another simple jig that works Colin. It's amazing how many TH-camrs remove the blade guard. For 'photographic' reasons. You are one of the few who keeps it on. Thanks Colin.
This looks like a really nice way to make a perfect circle template to use in the future with a flush trim bit to make repeated circles without all this hassle going forward.
This works but can be dangerous. On one occasion I tried this, the blade caught the board and spun it so hard it nearly ripped my hand open. That sudden spin can also potentially thrust your hand(s) right into the blade if you're not consciously thinking about it. I still use this method, but it can be a little precarious. Also, I wouldn't try small circles - only large ones.
I would lean towards saying you should have taken more down during the straight passes because spinning it. But, you’re not entirely wrong either, this is a somewhat dangerous technique. I actually stand off to the side with my hands on the far side of the piece away from the blade. Awkward a bit because I’m left handed and am using primarily my right hand but it works. Also I keep the blade just even with piece so theoretically if you piece is pretty stable it should be pretty hard to touch the blade.
@@TheBestRoddy you think he's being annoying but there is a recent video of exactly this happening to someone doing this technique. That operator was lucky enough to have a Sawstop, because her hand was pulled right into the blade and she would have lost all her fingers had it been any other make of saw. Check around on TH-cam for it. I'm not a fan of this technique precisely for this reason.
Great job Colin. It almost seems impossible to do to a common person not knowing anything about woodworking. How wonderful it is to have someone like you who explains it to us and show us too. Thanks for all you do.
I love your Rigid table saw. Had one at work. Retired now. Great jig as well. I use Klein metal runners for my jigs. A little expensive but so accurate
A little tip: To make SURE you don't have little 'plastic' debris balls form and mess up attaching the runners to your sheet goods, countersink both sides of the holes in the plastic.
What I was young and debating my father he would try to impress upon me that things aren't always what they appear. He would say remember that a circle is nothing more then a series of very very short straight lines, this is a great illustration of that .
I traced a 40 litre bucket lid onto a piece of ply and jig sawed it out.almost a perfect circle.the problem was i needed a hole in the centre.It took me long a long time to find the centre of the circle.I would have saved a long time if i had used this method. Great video
Rangatira Ahau: The way to find the center of a circle is to draw 2 lines across the circle (not parallel to each other; close to 90 degrees is best), then find the center of each line and draw a perpendicular line toward the center. Do this for both lines. Where the two perpendiculars meet is the center.
Thanks a lot, Colin. I glued up about 50 pieces of various wood (from Roasted Ash to Purple Heart, and Paduck, and so many more), all with a different density and hardness. I tried to use my router table for make it round, but the different densities made my router crazy and some of the softest wood broke where they should not have... Anyway, I re-glued the whole thing (not so much fun the second time), and used my table saw this time as you suggested... And it worked like a charm! (I actually used my crosscut sled) Thanks for this tip and for all the videos... you're an inspiration.
Nice video Colin. I am one of those guys that doesn't use a blade guard or riving knife. It's a personal choice but it also makes me be extra careful when woodworking. When I run wood through my saw that is the ONLY thing I'm concentrating on. I also use a push stick every time.
i almost died doing this, beginners beware the kick back is no joke. I didnt give up however i took a breather gathered the curage to try again and now i aquired a new technike.
Great idea, thx Colin. Correct me if I'm wrong, but it's a "fixture", not a "jig". A jig guides the tool, whilst a fixture guides the workpiece. Keep up the good work!
Amazing how things happen, I posted this on Table saw Hacks and here you have built one like mine except I also use mine for cross cutting boards since the edge is at the blade. Biggest I have cut is a pair of 30 inch circles. Great Video
Great video and easy to follow. I just beginning a business where I have to make a lot of circles out o wood, so this will speed things up! Thanks for sharing!
Nice job. I need to cut a 4 1/2 “ wheel. This seems to be the best way to do it. I have numerous routers but there isn’t anyway I can cut a 2 1/4 “ radius on any of the routers.
It would be way safer and give way better results to use a circle cutting jig with even a super cheap router, or a decent jigsaw. A router table or bandsaw would be my go to if those tools are at hand.
Colin, Would you address the issue of tolerances that can be generally achieved when working with wood. Your videos have been very helpful in helping me align my table saw, fence and create a crosscut sled if these are all aligned what tolerances can I expect when making cuts.
Nice work sir. I've read about how to do this in magazines and books but wanted to see how it was actually done. This is supposed to work equally as well on a bandsaw as well but I don't own one. In regards to the riving fence, I prefer to use them as possible. They are there for a reason. Plus, they push the sawdust down instead of into your face. Also, if you bring the working piece backyards into the blade, that is what causes burn as well as feeding it too slow. But thank you. I enjoy watching your work. I seem to learn something new every time I watch. 😊😊😊
Yes, this works 100 times better on a band saw. Takes all of about 10 seconds to cut the entire circle. Perfect circles can also be cut with a router, or a jigsaw and Disc Sander. All of these other methods take a fraction of the time, are probably safer, and produce a better result. Sorry, cutting a circle on the table saw is something I would never do.
@@bullfrogpondshop3179 Please show us how in your next video, would love to see your shop with all the expensive tools that a lot of us can not afford.
thank you for the tip..i like to build things out of wood and/or metal and i just learned something cool today...i could've used that trick a week ago(make a round piece of wood), but i'll definately use it in the future. and i also like the sliding jigg you made...thanks...lol ps..your experience really shows.
I like the concept however too dangerous in trusting the process with a nail, I would install a toggle clamp to avoid put my hands near the blade. Thanks for sharing that concept. Very usefull.
@@darrenlaberee8036 It makes it harder to measure the pin placement for cutting the circle because you have eliminated the flush cut edge, but yeah, it could be done.
Your burn marks are due to the degrees of incremental distance in the straight cuts, which are larger than the radius of your ten inch blade. Make more cuts, to get your straight cuts inside of the 3/4ths inch height of the blade, (in reference to the cut board) then you will never have burn. The best (and by far safest) way to do this is with a snug, smooth bolt in the middle, and what you need is a nut to prevent the board from climbing, and a washer underneath the jig to prevent the entire thing from possibly riding up out of that hole. I'd make a slot using a router to slide the bolt to desire radius measurements, and two nuts over a large washer to lock the board down still allowing it to turn.
Bothered by the little cut offs. Use a stick and just hit them forward and let them lay on the floor. It'll be alot easier to pick them up with all your fingers!!
Hello Mr. Colin, I have learned so much from your videos. Thank you so very much for sharing your knowledge. What is the piece of plastic that I ask for when going to the store? How did you determine where you drew your line on the base?
When you are in the final stage, rounding the circle, you should clamp the base of the jig. By accident, while putting your weight on the board, the whole thing may slide forward and you can cut your hands or worse.
Colin, particle boards as a given, what dulls carbide blades most after it in your order? BTW, am now a subscriber, and you've shown this 60 year old so many new tips and tricks. ty
Really great video! Thanks for posting! this video is really awesome and informative! Thanks so very much for a video that shows a great and safe way to do this!
At 7:15 you mark the exit point. Line up the marks and mark some tape on the saw table top to your left. pull towards you approx 2 inches and mark tape at leading edge of saw blade at bottom for start location. pull clear, start saw, go from start to exit in 1/4 in increments per full rotation of piece. No more black burns and blade deflection... :)
I love your videos, and I think you make good content. I know we all make certain sacrifices of safety in the search for expediency, but I did cringe really hard when you took that blade guard off. Not for fear of the cut side, but because you're then stacking offcuts up next to the spinning blade and piling them up. If one of those catches the back of blade you're gonna take a chunk of wood to the face. I'd strongly recommend figuring out a way to bind up the guard and kickback pawls on the cutting side and leaving the guard in place to shield the offcuts from finding their way back to the blade. A small piece of wood hitting you isn't likely to cause great harm, but being startled at the table saw has caused more than one major injury.
If you do not want to put a hole in the wood you can use a strong adhesive tape to hold another piece of plywood to the main piece. The nail/dowel will go into that piece.
I made one that allows me to cut circles from 8" to 24" diameter with my plunge router. Great for making very large speaker cabinets. For smaller holes I have a drill mounted circle cutter and several hole saw sets.
I am not certain what made me more nervous - waiting for the saw to spin the circle, or the initial corner cuts to get pushed into the rear of the blade and sent flying.
What type of plastic do you normally buy for this at your plastic shop (not counting cutting boards here), assuming I'd like to purchase an equivalent plastic online.
Great job on this video. Clear instructions, safety reminders, and explanation of your techniques. Bravo! Thank you.
A true craftsman doesn't cut corners! :)
LOVE the focus on safety here! Well done - this tutorial makes the circle jig accesible and, most importantly, SAFE! Thank you for such a simple and informative video!
7:57 You gradually lift the blade in small increments to avoid burning. Start at the very bottom of the circle and do just about 1/8 inch. Then slowly lift the blade 1/2 turn at a time. No more burning.
Another simple jig that works Colin. It's amazing how many TH-camrs remove the blade guard. For 'photographic' reasons. You are one of the few who keeps it on. Thanks Colin.
Thanks Peter
Your technique worked perfectly. I just added a nail to one of my sleds. Another great video
It looks a lot easier that I thought it would be to make a circle making jig on the table saw
This looks like a really nice way to make a perfect circle template to use in the future with a flush trim bit to make repeated circles without all this hassle going forward.
You can also buy plastic cutting boards at the dollar store. They work well and rip easily on the table saw.
Yes you can. Thanks for the tip Timothy.
do you mean for the guide or for the entire Jig?
gnrsmith1 cut them up foy the guides.
lol I just picked some up
This works but can be dangerous. On one occasion I tried this, the blade caught the board and spun it so hard it nearly ripped my hand open. That sudden spin can also potentially thrust your hand(s) right into the blade if you're not consciously thinking about it. I still use this method, but it can be a little precarious. Also, I wouldn't try small circles - only large ones.
I would lean towards saying you should have taken more down during the straight passes because spinning it. But, you’re not entirely wrong either, this is a somewhat dangerous technique. I actually stand off to the side with my hands on the far side of the piece away from the blade. Awkward a bit because I’m left handed and am using primarily my right hand but it works. Also I keep the blade just even with piece so theoretically if you piece is pretty stable it should be pretty hard to touch the blade.
Walker Family Omaha You’re better of using a router and a circle jig.
Thanks, dad
@@TheBestRoddy you think he's being annoying but there is a recent video of exactly this happening to someone doing this technique. That operator was lucky enough to have a Sawstop, because her hand was pulled right into the blade and she would have lost all her fingers had it been any other make of saw. Check around on TH-cam for it. I'm not a fan of this technique precisely for this reason.
Great jig.
Great job Colin. It almost seems impossible to do to a common person not knowing anything about woodworking. How wonderful it is to have someone like you who explains it to us and show us too. Thanks for all you do.
You're welcome! ... glad I could be of help!
I love your Rigid table saw. Had one at work. Retired now. Great jig as well. I use Klein metal runners for my jigs. A little expensive but so accurate
A little tip: To make SURE you don't have little 'plastic' debris balls form and mess up attaching the runners to your sheet goods, countersink both sides of the holes in the plastic.
Mark W Good idea, will do.
What I was young and debating my father he would try to impress upon me that things aren't always what they appear. He would say remember that a circle is nothing more then a series of very very short straight lines, this is a great illustration of that .
I traced a 40 litre bucket lid onto a piece of ply and jig sawed it out.almost a perfect circle.the problem was i needed a hole in the centre.It took me long a long time to find the centre of the circle.I would have saved a long time if i had used this method.
Great video
Rangatira Ahau: The way to find the center of a circle is to draw 2 lines across the circle (not parallel to each other; close to 90 degrees is best), then find the center of each line and draw a perpendicular line toward the center. Do this for both lines. Where the two perpendiculars meet is the center.
Thanks a lot, Colin. I glued up about 50 pieces of various wood (from Roasted Ash to Purple Heart, and Paduck, and so many more), all with a different density and hardness. I tried to use my router table for make it round, but the different densities made my router crazy and some of the softest wood broke where they should not have...
Anyway, I re-glued the whole thing (not so much fun the second time), and used my table saw this time as you suggested... And it worked like a charm! (I actually used my crosscut sled)
Thanks for this tip and for all the videos... you're an inspiration.
Nice video Colin. I am one of those guys that doesn't use a blade guard or riving knife. It's a personal choice but it also makes me be extra careful when woodworking. When I run wood through my saw that is the ONLY thing I'm concentrating on. I also use a push stick every time.
Thank you Colin! I've tried and it worked brilliantly!
Great Colin i made the jig and this afternoon and cut 2 perfect circles great video
Glad I could be of help. Thanks for watching!
Colin, love the plastic runner idea. Thanks!
You're welcome Paul
You could make a jig like or with a stationary or adjustable spinner. Like the ones used on a table for food. Thanks for your videos! Happy cutting :)
i almost died doing this, beginners beware the kick back is no joke. I didnt give up however i took a breather gathered the curage to try again and now i aquired a new technike.
Mix some sawdust and some wood glue to form a heavy paste. It can be used like wood putty to fill in any holes. Sand after it dries.
Great idea, thx Colin. Correct me if I'm wrong, but it's a "fixture", not a "jig". A jig guides the tool, whilst a fixture guides the workpiece. Keep up the good work!
Worked like a charm. Thank you sir.
Amazing how things happen, I posted this on Table saw Hacks and here you have built one like mine except I also use mine for cross cutting boards since the edge is at the blade. Biggest I have cut is a pair of 30 inch circles. Great Video
Thanks for watching Gary
That’s awesome, I learn something new today, I just jig saw, but thank to you, I learn a new thing
You are welcome Anthony
Thanks for the tip. I was looking for a way to make inserts for my Delta HD shaper.
Great video and easy to follow. I just beginning a business where I have to make a lot of circles out o wood, so this will speed things up! Thanks for sharing!
I'm amazed by all the things a table saw can do. I guess it IS my favorite tool..
Nice job. I need to cut a 4 1/2 “ wheel. This seems to be the best way to do it. I have numerous routers but there isn’t anyway I can cut a 2 1/4 “ radius on any of the routers.
It would be way safer and give way better results to use a circle cutting jig with even a super cheap router, or a decent jigsaw. A router table or bandsaw would be my go to if those tools are at hand.
Another good idea thanks man.
I remember the circule jig with the band saw
You're welcome Carlos. Thanks for watching.
WoodWorkWeb watching, subscrive and couple likes jeje
Amazing love the way you explain everything , I’m not a Carpinter but I always like to work with wood for my art 👍👍👍👍💜💜💜💜💜
CARPINTER....................is that an Asian Carpenter.
I have a large table saw sled I use to make circles. When you pull the sled back you can clean your scrap away.
Thanks for the tip David
Great video and explanation, Thanks for sharing.
I like it. A quick and simple jig.
Thank you
Another great video!! Thanks
Colin, Would you address the issue of tolerances that can be generally achieved when working with wood. Your videos have been very helpful in helping me align my table saw, fence and create a crosscut sled if these are all aligned what tolerances can I expect when making cuts.
Thanks a bunch...i cant wait to make this....im having a lil trouble finding a place to get the plastic cheap though....
Dollar stores, OR Bed Bath and Beyond.
White-poly cutting boards.
nice job
Nice work sir. I've read about how to do this in magazines and books but wanted to see how it was actually done. This is supposed to work equally as well on a bandsaw as well but I don't own one.
In regards to the riving fence, I prefer to use them as possible. They are there for a reason. Plus, they push the sawdust down instead of into your face.
Also, if you bring the working piece backyards into the blade, that is what causes burn as well as feeding it too slow.
But thank you. I enjoy watching your work. I seem to learn something new every time I watch. 😊😊😊
Thanks for watching and thanks for the tips!
Yes, this works 100 times better on a band saw. Takes all of about 10 seconds to cut the entire circle. Perfect circles can also be cut with a router, or a jigsaw and Disc Sander. All of these other methods take a fraction of the time, are probably safer, and produce a better result. Sorry, cutting a circle on the table saw is something I would never do.
what about the a lathe?
@@bullfrogpondshop3179 Please show us how in your next video, would love to see your shop with all the expensive tools that a lot of us can not afford.
Great stuff, thanks for the tips
Nice video Colin, I like the extra safety information.
Thanks for watching
🤔 now i know why it's called a circular saw😉 btw nice,simple and inexpensive jig.
Thanks for the jig idea Colin
Great.... your videos are so cool, clean explanation , and fully understandig for begginers. Thanks
You're Welcome, FREDBLA!
Very cool! Would you suggest trying to make smaller circles. I'm looking to make circles about 2" diam. X .75" thick.
Thank you so much for takes time to make this video. GREAT lesson. Have a wonderful day.
You're Welcome
thank you for the tip..i like to build things out of wood and/or metal and i just learned something cool today...i could've used that trick a week ago(make a round piece of wood), but i'll definately use it in the future. and i also like the sliding jigg you made...thanks...lol ps..your experience really shows.
You are the first TH-camr I've seen to have a blade board on his table saw...
blade board?
@@robira1313 I was wondering the same!!!
Chris may have meant blade "guard".
I like the concept however too dangerous in trusting the process with a nail, I would install a toggle clamp to avoid put my hands near the blade. Thanks for sharing that concept. Very usefull.
Can't spin a toggle clamp! The spin ability is the whole thing that makes this jig work.
very good, I like all your videos.
GREAT video! Thank you!
I could make wheels now for my boys kart! Thx !!!
You're welcome
Don't forget to use old bicycle tires to wrap the discs!!
U`re great...Thx, I`m gonna ask my friend to do this today....cause he`s got table saw and me have only circular portable saw...
Thank you
Excellent idea. Thank you.
Excellent explanation, thank you very much.
You're welcome!
Nice. Learned something new, that’s good. Best wishes and thanks
Love your videos! Still learning with my saw, but you make the learning curve easy!
Keep up the chuckles cause it shows you love what you do!
One of the most dangerous parts of a table saw, is using the guard. In high school, I made cove molding on the table saw.
Correction...The person using it is the most dangerous part.
How do you make a bowel jig for the table saw. I made one but it needs to be improved
You should be able to temporarily disable the pawls with a small dowel and a rubber band or cable tie. You just wedge them open and tie them off.
Could you not trim your 3/4 ply to be outside of the pawls?
@@darrenlaberee8036 It makes it harder to measure the pin placement for cutting the circle because you have eliminated the flush cut edge, but yeah, it could be done.
good job
Thanks
This is what band saws are for. Why would you want to try this on one of the most dangerous saws?
I just saw a video of someone almost losing a finger using this technique.
Always reminded that if I have a question about how to do something, I'll probably find that Colin has the answer.
😷😷😷😷😷😷
Very helpful.thAnks 😀
You're welcome
just zip tie the anti kick back in the up position so you dont have to worry about them interfering and you can still use the blade guard
Your burn marks are due to the degrees of incremental distance in the straight cuts, which are larger than the radius of your ten inch blade. Make more cuts, to get your straight cuts inside of the 3/4ths inch height of the blade, (in reference to the cut board) then you will never have burn. The best (and by far safest) way to do this is with a snug, smooth bolt in the middle, and what you need is a nut to prevent the board from climbing, and a washer underneath the jig to prevent the entire thing from possibly riding up out of that hole. I'd make a slot using a router to slide the bolt to desire radius measurements, and two nuts over a large washer to lock the board down still allowing it to turn.
I learn so much from you 👍
should mention the size limit of the circle possible ? I wanted to make one 26 inches.
How do you know where to put the line on the big piece of wood please?
Bothered by the little cut offs. Use a stick and just hit them forward and let them lay on the floor. It'll be alot easier to pick them up with all your fingers!!
Hello Mr. Colin, I have learned so much from your videos. Thank you so very much for sharing your knowledge. What is the piece of plastic that I ask for when going to the store? How did you determine where you drew your line on the base?
When you are in the final stage, rounding the circle, you should clamp the base of the jig. By accident, while putting your weight on the board, the whole thing may slide forward and you can cut your hands or worse.
Up to how big of a circle can you make. Eg could you make a 18” or 20” circle?
I can do that with my plunge router and my circle jig.
Are the plastic runners UHMW? They are not inexpensive here in IL. Sheets are upwards of $100 and two three foot bars are about $30
Colin, particle boards as a given, what dulls carbide blades most after it in your order?
BTW, am now a subscriber, and you've shown this 60 year old so many new tips and tricks. ty
great video man
Thanks
Did they not have a saw blade made for cutting circles. It was in shape of a yield sign. Do they not make them anymore.
What table saw u have?
Really great video! Thanks for posting! this video is really awesome and informative! Thanks so very much for a video that shows a great and safe way to do this!
At 7:15 you mark the exit point. Line up the marks and mark some tape on the saw table top to your left. pull towards you approx 2 inches and mark tape at leading edge of saw blade at bottom for start location. pull clear, start saw, go from start to exit in 1/4 in increments per full rotation of piece. No more black burns and blade deflection... :)
I love your videos, and I think you make good content. I know we all make certain sacrifices of safety in the search for expediency, but I did cringe really hard when you took that blade guard off. Not for fear of the cut side, but because you're then stacking offcuts up next to the spinning blade and piling them up. If one of those catches the back of blade you're gonna take a chunk of wood to the face. I'd strongly recommend figuring out a way to bind up the guard and kickback pawls on the cutting side and leaving the guard in place to shield the offcuts from finding their way back to the blade. A small piece of wood hitting you isn't likely to cause great harm, but being startled at the table saw has caused more than one major injury.
Where did you get the plastic from in this video for your miter slots?
Great video! Wondering if this technique can be used to cut a circle with plexiglass?
Would be better to try it on a bandsaw, if you have one, or a router. Plexiglass can be tricky.
If you do not want to put a hole in the wood you can use a strong adhesive tape to hold another piece of plywood to the main piece. The nail/dowel will go into that piece.
That's an interesting idea! Should work fine if you VERY careful! Thanks for watching.
You could use a bit if saw dust and glue to fill the hole
Hic!!!
Why not just use a router? A router circle jig is very easy to make and it seems a lot safer to me.
I made one that allows me to cut circles from 8" to 24" diameter with my plunge router. Great for making very large speaker cabinets. For smaller holes I have a drill mounted circle cutter and several hole saw sets.
Where can I buy this plastic for runners?
I am not certain what made me more nervous - waiting for the saw to spin the circle, or the initial corner cuts to get pushed into the rear of the blade and sent flying.
I found the plastic for miter slots super cheap. Sam's Club food industry preparation area has heavy cutting boards of that plastic!
thanks friend for sharing that good technique.
What type of plastic do you normally buy for this at your plastic shop (not counting cutting boards here), assuming I'd like to purchase an equivalent plastic online.
Hi Colin. I liked your jig. Good idea, man.
I made one similar jig to use on the BandSaw.
:-)
L.ZACCARO
Thank you
Nice! Old school.
Parabéns, vc é muito habilidoso com a serra circular .
Whow, really works thanks for this idea 👍