Thread: Small Circle Cutter Jig

I made the one that Template Tom designed ,it involves a bit of metal work , but nothing you can't do with a hacksaw.
This one fits the Makita , as it has two holes perpendicular to the base for attaching the factory fence .
You can cut very small circles with this jig ,if you use a small cutter like a 3mm or 6mm dia.
I made mine from 12mm acrylic and machined brass inserts for the threads for the center pin.

Kev

That sure is a nice approach. It looks like the indexable ones I found online. Does yours still require a pin to go in to the workpiece?

This morning before I headed off to work I updated the rulers and indexing for the jig. I also cut a really quick disc out of some scrap to see what could be done.



(I really should stick things down with tape. hahaha)

I can't quite make out how your jig is working but I'm guessing it similar to the one by Sante that you can see at this link..
Template Making - Page 2 - Router Forums

Also the Trend pivot frame jig is good for small circles with no pin whole.

Originally Posted by newflavour

The pics will speak for themselves. Enjoy!

Sorry Nf I am a bit thick and your pics are not saying much to me, maybe you could explain how it works exactly for us slower on the uptake. I am not sure exactly what I am looking at in the pics.

@another.gav

mine works in a similar way to the one you've linked to. however, the one you've linked to is far superior and I've already begun modifying mine as a result. thanks for that.

@munruben
conceptually mine is similar to theone another.gav has linked to. however, mine consists of a laminated particle board base that has a rebate cut into it that a large perspex disc spins in/on. In that perspex disc is three slots:

2x used for the M4 bolts to hold the router base plate.
1x for allowing the bit and collet to pass through

I prefer to leave one on of my routers mounted to a universal perspex base. In this base are two holes that are centered to the router collet. The M4 bolts attach here. The bolts act like pins in the main disc allowing the router base to slide in and out. Once I've lined the base up with the rulers I tighten the wing nuts and begin cutting.

I'll see if I can take some better pictures tomorrow when I'm back in the man cave.

Yes ,the pin screws into the brass inserts.At whatever interval you need , then the router can be adjusted along the rods for finer adjustment

Kev

Originally Posted by newflavour

I'll see if I can take some better pictures tomorrow when I'm back in the man cave.

Thanks, will take another look then.

quite clever, well done

so I didn't get a chance to get some news pics as I was super busy today in the man cave. I did however get a chance to make the tasmanian oak coaster sets for the boys in the family. over in my 'thicknesser/planer jig' thread you can see the material being prepared for this.

(pics taken on bad iphone camera - sanded and ready for finishing tomorrow)

Well done.

I know it is a bit of an old post, but just thought if anyone may have the simple answer for me (I'm really scratching my head over this one, but I am confident there is a simple answer).

I have made the circle cutting jig and it is very smooth and consistent, the problem is it is an oval cutting jig, a very good oval cutting jig that seems to cut perfect ovals. I have measured the circle base and it seems to me to be a true circle, the only thing I am not confident about is the location of the router ie. if it is off centre, but as I understand it this would make no difference.
I think I will try to cut the circle base again, but what puzzles me is that when I rotate the top the bearings touch the edge of the circle all the way around (which it wouldn't if it was an oval).

If anyone sees this and has an answer, please help.

Thanks,

I can only think it is the router moving / flexing as your doing the cut. but I doubt it would come back to a perfect edge as you came around so it doesnt really add up either. do you have photos of your set up and the ovals it is cutting it may be more evident.

Perhaps this is obvious to all you router people but,

At the moment that the router bit completes the circle, the wood circle is free.
How do you keep the router from chewing up the disk and spitting it in your face?

I ask as I can imagine some circles or 1/2 circles as inlay in some wood carvings.