Replies

1. 
   jeanlou | Feb 22, 2007 04:08am | #1

   woodenhead

   You will need to set up an auxiliary table/support next to the bandsaw. Cut your rough stock to the size you want - 24" x 24".- find the center and drill a plumb pilot hole . Set the rough stock so that it is barely touching the blade without flexing the blade at all - plant a nail through the pilot hole into the auxiliary table, turn on the band saw and slowly and smoothly turn your plywood until you are left with a circular  24 " top.

   A few remarks: plywood is generally 4' x 8'. To reduce waste, cut the sheet to give you 23 3/4" or if you use a thin blade, 23 7/8" rough stock, and live with the difference. If you will be applying an edging, you may be able to respect half sheet or smaller dimensions for the rough stock and still have a 24" diameter finished product...or maybe a little less does not really matter.

   Did you know that you can also cut a round shape like you need on a table saw? By laying out the circle you want you can remove the waste to 1/16" of the line with a series of straight cuts. You may end up with 16 to 24 little cuts for a 24" diameter top. Attach a piece of ply to the saw table and nail into this board through the piece you want to cut, as above. Turn on the saw and raise the blade so that it is a bit higher than the round-to-be plywood. Turn the wood slowly and smoothly and you will end up with a round top cut on a table saw.  JL

2. 
   hammer1 | Feb 22, 2007 07:50am | #2

   I made a circle cutting jig. Mine is just a piece of plywood with a dado. A thin slide with a pin travels in the dado. I hold it in place with a wedge. The pin has to be evenly in line with the leading edge of the bandsaw blade teeth. Cut squares, put a pin hole in the underneath center. Drop the square blank on the slide pin and turn it. Perfect circles everytime as long as the blade is sharp.

   Beat it to fit / Paint it to match

   
1. 
   BG | Feb 22, 2007 01:03pm | #3

   hammer1,

   "The pin has to be evenly in line with the leading edge of the bandsaw blade teeth"

   That is where my problem lies, how do I do that? Any suggestions? 

   "

1. 
   hammer1 | Feb 22, 2007 05:35pm | #4

   I just eye mine, the plywood base can be moved. If you are not right, the blade will wander and you won't get a circle. I often use a 1/4" 6TPI blade.Beat it to fit / Paint it to match

1. 
   BG | Feb 22, 2007 06:02pm | #6

   Hammer1,
   Okay, I can try that too. I may try to align the ply (2 sides) with the table top and then center the blade in the hole.

1. 
   hammer1 | Feb 22, 2007 07:03pm | #7

   I have a couple of cleats on the underside of my jig that go against the saw table. The location would change a little with different size blades. It's not too hard to eyeball the pin, the measurement isn't that fussy.There are more sophisticated jigs. I have a baker for a customer and he makes wedding cakes. I made the jig to cut plywood bases for the heavy cakes. It comes in handy for many other uses. Sometimes I add a jig to the jig.
   Beat it to fit / Paint it to match

   
2. 
   BG | Feb 23, 2007 01:01am | #8

   ..those arn't the Italian wedding cakes with the fruit, pastry creams and whipped cream frosting...and a hint of rum? oh gosh, brings back memories. 

3. 
   Dave45 | Feb 22, 2007 05:43pm | #5

   I made this circle cutting jig to do that sort of thing.  I made a slot down the centerline of the jig and use a 1/4"-20 carriage bolt for a centering pin.  So far, it's worked like a charm.

   
1. 
   woodenhead | Feb 23, 2007 07:47pm | #9

   Thanks, it looks so simple even a caveman can do it.l

   Vist; http://homepage.mac.com/walterc530/Personal94.html

1. 
   Dave45 | Feb 23, 2007 08:58pm | #10

   Who do you think gave me the design? - lol  Those cave dudes ain't nearly as dumb as you might think.

   If you want some more pictures showing more detail, let me know.

   I've used that jig for several circle cutting projects - including making wood "bands" for table tops, etc.  Here's a picture of one I made a couple of years ago.