How to Cut Perfect Circles (and other Jigsaw Tricks) | Beyond The Basics

Get the most from your jigsaw by choosing the right blade for the job and learning how to cut perfect circles.

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[David_K_pi]

On the circle cutting tip, won't that leave a divot where you drilled the starting hole?

A better idea would be to set the jig on the workpiece and slide it over till the blade rests against the edge and parallel to it. Now fasten the jig to the workpiece and start cutting.

[stevenstowittselliott]

Used your trammel idea. Unfortunately, the blade bends on a circular cut, ruining the work.

[kristijan]

This doesn't work for me. When I start cutting my blade slowly starts to bend inward, to the circles core. This results in a cut going inside circumference. I don't get what the problem is?

[Sash_Window]

That is sick! Thanks for sharing >.<

[simyob]

Built it and it didn't work. Burnt wood snapped blades.

[jaibharat]

The starting hole isn't a good idea as it will give the notch. Try initiate the circular cut from the edge of the wood. Good idea though.

[shaneb]

What's the smallest circle you can cut this way?

[corradomeilach]

The circle jig won’t work
The hole for the jig blade must be aligned with the screw. Otherwise it doesn’t work!

[SouthMiamiMartialArt]

This circle jig will not work. The blade must be perfectly square with the pivot. Think about it. If you push the saw sideways, what happens? If you push the saw at a 45 degree angle, what happens? Only if you push the saw straight will it cut properly. So with the circle jig, if the blade is behind the pivot, it will drift inward until it binds. If the blade is ahead of the pivot, it will drift outward until it binds. There are tons of these circle jigs and NO ONE MENTIONS THIS! I learned the hard way after wasting hours of work ruining my first jig.

[handyboy]

This is stupid.
The jigsaw blade should be perpendicular to the radius line of the circle. This jig is going to pull outward and the hole will not be round. The blade will bend outward creating a nasty edge.