Hey everyone! I'm trying to figure out the best way to cut out small circles (about 5 inches) from pine boards for my artwork. I'm a self-taught artist and have really taken a liking to pine after repurposing my Christmas tree. However, finding pine in the sizes I need is a bit tricky, and I want to avoid having a hole in the center of the circles. Any tips or methods that could help me with this? Thanks a ton!
2 Answers
There are a few ways you can tackle this! 1) If you have access to a router table with a template and a flush cut bit, that would give you really clean, consistent circles. It's faster too once you set it up. 2) You could also use a band saw with a template jig, which works well but takes a little longer to set up. Just prepare for some cleanup afterwards since the saw might leave marks. 3) If you're looking for a simpler method, consider tracing around something round and cutting it with a jig saw. You’ll probably need a sander to smooth out the edges afterward, though.
You might want to try using a 5" hole saw attached to a drill press. Many hole saw kits can cut circles without needing the center bit, which simplifies things. Just make sure to clamp your board securely to ensure a straight cut. If you're not comfortable with that, you could always go with the jigsaw method after tracing a circle, but keep in mind it might take longer and you'll have some edges to tidy up afterward. If you’re aiming for that log slice look, maybe check out local woodworkers with a lathe—they could help you get those perfect circles!
Thanks for the suggestions! I like the idea of using a hole saw, I’ll have to check if I can borrow a drill press.
Totally agree, the hole saw route could give you some neat results! And a lathe is an awesome idea for a unique finish.