Cutting Circles

[Danny Thompson]

What works best for cutting circles up to 6" in diameter?

I need to cut out a hole in my shopmade drill press table for a replaceable insert and every once in a while I have to cut a hole in game boards.

In the past I have tried jigsawing--required a lot of sanding to get the hole smooth--and using a shopmade circle-cutting jig with the plunge router--difficult to set up.

Do the drill-press mounted circle cutters work well (e.g., http://www.woodcraft.com/family.aspx?FamilyID=799)?

[Dave Sweeney]

I have that same circle cutter from Woodcraft. When I first got it, I was surprised at how well it actually does work.

[Bill Huber]

I just cut my circle for my drill press table.
I used the same cutter, set the cutter to the hole size I wanted and drilled the table. I then turned the cutting knife around and cut the insert for the hole.

When you cut a hole with a cutter like this it will leave an edge on one of the parts.

Well there is a problem uploading images so here is a link showing what I mean.

http://www.pbase.com/image/88985740

[Tom Cowie]

I have used my circle cutter many times and I like it. I don't believe it's as safe as a hole saw but it s adjustable. Definitely must clamp the work piece to the table and I don't run it too fast.

Tom

[Doug Shepard]

The circle cutters work pretty good. For small circles I've also rough cut with a jig saw and spun them on a pivot pin against the disc sander with good results too.

[Norman Pyles]

Bill, thanks for the link to the circle cutter. I have one of those and never thought about turning the knife around.

[Matt Meiser]

I have one that looks just like the one from Woodcraft that I probably bought at Lowes and I'm pretty sure I paid a lot less than $32 for it.

[glenn bradley]

I have used one similar to the one you show the link to but mine has a couterweight opposite the cutter head. They do a great job as long as the pilot hole in the middle is not an issue. The knife can be reversed for cutting "holes" orr "wheels". I'm sure they come in better and poorer forms but I believe mine was about $12 (and I think it was from Woodcraft) about 2 years ago.

I notice Rockler gets about $15: http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=11196&filter=circle%20cutter

and the one that General makes (sold by Lowe's and others) is about $11:
http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/topages/holecutter.php

HTH

[Doug Shepard]

I have one that looks just like the one from Woodcraft that I probably bought at Lowes and I'm pretty sure I paid a lot less than $32 for it.

Ditto that. I didn't look at the Woodcraft price. Every one I've ever seen is made by General although there are some HD ones ($$$) made by others. There are 3 different General versions available with differing ranges of radii, but I dont think I paid near that much for the largest General model.

Edited:
Here's thr General ones. Looks like maybe it's 4 models not 3
http://www.generaltools.com/Departments/Woodworking-Tools/Circle-Cutters.aspx

[Tom Veatch]

I have used one similar to the one you show the link to but mine has a couterweight opposite the cutter head. ...

My first impression is that if that sucker is spinning fast enough that it needs a counterweight, I'd either clear the area or slow it waaayyyy down.:eek:

[Phil Thien]

I have a single fly (or "wing") circle cutter that I found a carbide-tipped cutter for on eBay and it works great.

[glenn bradley]

My first impression is that if that sucker is spinning fast enough that it needs a counterweight, I'd either clear the area or slow it waaayyyy down.:eek:

Yeah, I'm not sure of the logic because it appears to be an aluminum disc(?). How heavy could it be? The smaller unit didn't have one and the larger one did but at a couple hundred RPM, who needs it???

[Matt P]

I have the medium size Jasper Circle Cutter jig (for a router). Have used it - easy and works well. Perfect circles. It was originally designed for cutting holes in particle board for home stereo speakers.

http://www.hartvilletool.com/product/10961

Happy with the purchase.