How Can I Cut Circles Without Leaving a Hole in the Center?
Asked by CraftyWizard42
I have a router and a jigsaw jig that I built for cutting circles, but they always leave a little hole in the center. I'm working on a project that requires a clean cut with no holes, so I'm looking for suggestions on how to achieve this. I've searched YouTube and various woodworking sites, but haven't found anything specifically addressing how to make a perfect circle without leaving a hole. I considered filling the hole but I'm not sure that's the best approach. Any ideas? It would really help me out!
Answers
Here's a technique that might work: use your existing jig to cut the circle with the hole out of a scrap piece of plywood. Then attach that plywood circle to your actual workpiece with double-sided tape. Cut as close to the final size as you can, then swap to a pattern bit on your router to trace the shape. Just make sure to carefully remove your jig afterward!
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Another idea is to tape or glue a thin piece of material (like 1/8" thick) over the center hole and then use that for the jig. Painter's tape works great for this, and hot glue is easy to remove afterwards if it hasn’t fully set yet.
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Check out some YouTube videos on how to use templates with a router. You can use a circle you've already made with a hole as a template for your new piece. Just make sure to follow best practices for safety while doing so!
ExpertRouterMan1: I can vouch for this method! If you take the right precautions and use your tools properly, it should work great.
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ThanksMuch1: That's a fantastic method! I really appreciate your insights.