The toy wheel cutting fixture I made for my Craftsman 12-in. bandsaw attaches to the saw’s fence with two screws. The fixture will cut out wheels ranging in diameter from 2 in. to 6 in. from 3/4-in. stock, you can cut wheels from thicker stock by adding a spacer. Bandsawn wheels have advantages over those produced by a holesaw: The diameter selection is infinite, and because there is no hole through the wheel, there’s more flexibility in mounting.

To use the fixture, I first precut the wheel blanks about 1/2 in. larger than the finished wheel. Then I slide the blank into the fixture with the center of one edge pressed lightly against the blade. I insert the pivot-knob screw into the spacer hole and screw the knob into the blank about one or two turns. The spacer hole is lined with a piece of tubing, so it won’t become enlarged. Then I turn on the saw and rotate the block into the blade by turning the knob.

E. T. McCord, Tucson, Ariz.

Fine Woodworking Magazine, June 1992 No. 94

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