cutting circles?

[chrapladm]

I have bought some tools over the past months and now I am back to being broke. I have a router circular saw and a power drill. Now I have mainly used these tools to build my SLA's. Now I am wondering how in the world am I going to make the cirlce cut on the THT?

Do I need to save up for a circle jig for my router?

[tdogg]

plenty of guys on here have managed to make a circle cutting jig out of scrap ply. hopefully someone will post a pic (hint hint wink wink nudge nudge)

[Sydney]

http://www.bcae1.com/spboxnew2.htm
( See bottom of link )

Syd

[Tom Smit]

Here's a link to WB's photos which shows a copy of Anton's jig.
http://web.mac.com/wb12/iWeb/WB%20/Shop%20tools.html

[AntonZ]

It's a boomerang jig, too: it just keeps coming back

[WB]

Great. now I have to go back in and edit my page with the new name.

[netwerks]

http://www.acehardware.com/product/inde ... 9122577824

[chrapladm]

Well I will have to try and make a Anton/WB copy then.

DO I just need to glue the piece of wood on where the guide rails go through?

And how do you know what size hole you are about to cut with this jig

[jswingchun]

Measure from the outside of the router bit to the pivot pin and double it.

[coolhandjjl]

I made one like the first photo shows. I used a scrap piece of paneling. I only made the necessary pivot holes once the router was ready to make the cut. I also used a scrap piece of plywood as a 'backer' for my work, (pivot hole is also drilled in it, so bolt passes right through it). I didn't attempt to cut the entire thickness all at once. I made a few trips around, each time raising up the router plate a bit. Holes were perfect. Made me feel like a pro.

[bzb]

Measure from the outside of the router bit to the pivot pin and double it.

For the outer cut (first cut) you should measure to the inside of the bit.

[WB]

And how do you know what size hole you are about to cut with this jig

What I found to be the simplest and most fool proof way (important points when I'm near a router) is to draw the actual circle with a compass and then screw the jig to the center point, and then slide the router on the jig until the bit aligns with the circle. This way there's no need to measure the router.

[chrapladm]

I planned on using my angle bit that has a 45 degree angle on it(like a round over with out the curve). I read in the plans to angle the cut for the driver placement and thought it would be easiest to use this bit.

I wlike the idea of the first picture but it was just a matter of me maiking a template that actuall lines up with the base of my router. The WB idea seamed easiest to build. I have a straight edge guide that came with the router so I would just use the guide rails. Drill some holes for the rails and attach all to the pivot base.

I will buy some mdf to make some circle cuts and see how I go. I am just finishing up my SLA's and have used a router on most of the cuts. SO I am getting to know my router quite well but have alot more to learn.

[chrapladm]

And I will be measuring 2-3 times before I cut. I have already made mistakes on my SLA's so I will be taking things extra slow and measuring ever more.

[WB]

Here's a link to WB's photos which shows a copy of Anton's jig.
http://web.mac.com/wb12/iWeb/WB%20/Shop%20tools.html

Edited to fix link:
http://web.mac.com/wb12/iWeb/WB%20/Rout ... 20jig.html