While I make no claims for reinventing the wheel, this bandsaw circle-cutting fixture has a few extra features that make it accurate, reliable and a pleasure to use.

The fixture consists of a base and a slider. The base is laminated from two pieces of 3/4-in.-thick plywood. Size the plywood so that the base will extend a few inches beyond the right side of the saw table. Before laminating the two pieces, rout a stepped slot in the top piece so that when the two pieces are glued together the slot forms a T-shaped channel for the slider.

Attach one or two rails to the bottom of the base to slide in the miter-gauge tracks of the bandsaw table. Attach a plywood stop under the front of the base so that it bumps against the table when the bandsaw blade is even with the pivot pin. Also, install a threaded knob under the base to lock the slider in position. The slider is simply a length of hardwood milled to fit the T-shaped slot in the base. Install a 1/4-in.-dia. steel rod near one end of the slider to serve as the pivot pin.

To use the fixture, adjust the slider for the correct radius. (Note that the slider can be turned around to make larger circles.) Drill a 1/4-in.-dia. hole in the center of the circle blank and place the blank on the pivot pin. Pull the base back, turn on the saw, then gently push the base into the blade until the base hits the stop. Rotate the blank to cut the circle. When that’s done, gently back the fixture out of the blade using the entry cut.

George W. Sibbald, Rochelle Park, N.J.

Fine Woodworking Magazine, February 2000 No. 140

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