How to cut an even circle out of plywood

Electric appliances or hand tools?

When determining the diameter of the future circle, you need to consider the dimensions of the working cutter.

The most popular option among all is an electric jigsaw. This tool allows you to cut not only circles, but also any other geometric shapes. The only disadvantage of it is the need to form additional grooves in the places of turns (corners), but when creating a circle it is invisible. It is very important to choose the right saw, t.к. They come in 3 types: tears on the left, tears on the right, tears on 2 sides. Once the cloth is picked up, cut out a circle of any size.

An ordinary hand jigsaw. Before you cut a circle out of plywood with this tool, you need to make sure that the work process is accessible. The main difficulty is the limitation (usually up to 30 cm) due to the physical structure, t.е. it is not possible to work in deep places. When starting work not from an edge but directly from the center the file is set in the last place.

Milling machine. Very convenient option, but requires a rigid coupling to the surface, for which a self-tapping screw is screwed into the center of the circle. The circle is made of any diameter, and very quickly. Sometimes there is not enough working handle, which makes it necessary to make all kinds of improvised brackets, which can be a channel, profile, bar, board and even rope, but on a rigid hitch is much more convenient. This tool makes quite a wide hole, so before starting work you need to carefully measure the future construction.

circle, plywood

It is necessary to choose only sharp nails, and the edges of the resulting billet are processed with coarse sandpaper.

Nailing. A very popular method in those cases where the work must be done “yesterday” and the tools will not be soon. It is worth noting right away that the resulting work is quite rough, so it is used as a last resort. Only a hammer, 2 nails, and a rope will be needed. One nail is hammered into the center of the hole, and the other is pulled on the rope to the required length (radius), then a firm movement is carried out circle. Such circles with pressure continue until the circle is finally cut. At the very end, the nail is removed from the hole, turned over and gently hammered to achieve a neater seam.

Chisel and office knife. Here everything is much easier, because first you need to draw a circle with a compass (pencil), then this circle is circled several times with a paper knife under pressure. The peculiarity of circular sawing is the movement not of the knife, but of the plywood sheet so as not to break the metal, and this action is repeated from 2 sides. Then the chisel is attached to the prepared joint and light blows are brought to the opposite joint (2-3 blows are usually enough). At the very end, a hammer whips out a circle, as in the nailing variant.

Often the question of how to cut even circles with a plywood jigsaw puzzles novice craftsmen. Because it is much more difficult to do than a simple straight cut, no saw will help here.

often with the task of shaped sawing helps to cope jigsaw. Jigsaws can be manual and electric. A hand jigsaw consists of a frame with clamps for a blade and a handle. The main disadvantages of hand jigsaws: the low mechanical strength of the blade and the small size of the frame. As a result, the blade often tears and it is impossible to carry out sawing at a large indentation from the edges of the part. Such jigsaws are usually used for woodworking. Electric jigsaws are common, where the saw is vertical, and for art cutting, where the cutting element is a steel blade. Electric jigsaws are usually used when working with thick material.

How to cut a hole in paper

If you want to cut a hole in the paper, it is logical, of course, to use a office knife. But there is a more technically safe way: you can cut this hole with scissors. But in this case there is a nuance: the paper has to bend.

So, let’s say we need to cut a hole in a bagel. Bend the edge of the workpiece to the edge, but do not “crimp” it, and cut in the middle of the hole shown.

We straighten the workpiece, put the blade of the scissors in the slot and cut the hole.

Caution: you should not try to cut a bent workpiece (as they cut symmetrical shapes) by the mowing line, in this case, for a quality result you should act our way: the most proven way, it has never failed yet.

It’s been a year now, and I’m convinced that more explanations are needed on this topic, so I’ll continue. The point is that children understand the idea of cutting a circular hole very well. It seems to be simple. you bend in half, make a slit and go! But, if the hole is NOT round, how to proceed? Such pretzels even second graders get confused.

A pretzel with holes of any shape

In fact, you should proceed as before. We bend it approximately in the middle:

Aim and make the cut so as to hit in the middle.

Step into the slot and cut along the contour line. And with the second hole we do the same: Children are very confused by the idea of making a slit in an asymmetrical figure, well, here it is necessary to develop spatial imagination to understand whether the slit will not go beyond the outlined contour. It is good for us, because it helps us to train our eyesight and our imagination, too.

Marina Novikova told you how to cut a hole in paper.

Tags: practical tips, working with paper

Key rules

For the sawing process to be easy and fast, you need to follow the basic key rules of working:

For the edges of plywood to be flat, it is better to saw along the blade.

  • you can work only with dry material, as humidity increases the resistance of the material, as a result of which the veneer can begin to delaminate;
  • Replace the blade as soon as the first signs of blunting of the teeth appear;
  • Electric jigsaw is better to work along the fibers of the material, so the edges will be more even;
  • with a hand-operated jigsaw cut across the grain of the veneer.

To work safely, it is necessary to adhere to the following recommendations:

  • firmly fix the sawing table and the saw in the frame;
  • The jigsaw should have serviceable and well-fitted handles;
  • the jigsaw should not be pressed too hard trying to “help” the jigsaw, this will only cause the blade to dull faster;
  • straight and long cuts are best made with a wide blade, so the sawing process will go faster;
  • It is always necessary to see the marking, so the sawdust from the material to be sawed should be removed by hand, in no case blow away, because they can get into the eyes.

Following these simple rules will help a beginner learn how to cut circles with a jigsaw and make their work easier.

How to cut plywood with a jigsaw?

Before you cut a circle out of plywood, you should remember some general tips for working with this material. Sawing can only be done on dry material. Wet plywood has an increased resistance, and when sawing the veneer will begin to flake, which will lead to damage of the saw or even the entire tool in the case of electric models. At the first sign that the teeth are not sharp enough or some part of the blade is warped, the saw blade should be replaced.

When sawing plywood with the jigsaw it is necessary to align the main line of the cut as far as possible along the fibers of the veneer.

This will contribute to clean cut edges. When working with a hand-held jigsaw it is easier to make cross-cutting cuts. It will not prevent from splintering, but it will be less probable that the saw will get caught or it will run away from the planned mowing line on the splinter.

Before you cut the circle, you need to transfer its contours to the plywood. At the same time, you should try to get beyond the cut outline areas with defects, chips, stains and knots. Transfer the outline to the plywood by tracing it through copy paper, by cutting a paper outline to trace, or simply by drawing a circle of the desired radius with a compass. If necessary, the starting hole in the plywood is made with a thin drill.

To cut a circle with the jigsaw, a blade is inserted into the hole. The free end of the hand model is fixed in its place again with a clamp or fixing screw. The workpiece is clamped to the workbench, the kerf is made according to the transferred mowing line. When the circle is closed, the central element is separated from the sheet and the edges are machined with sandpaper or a file.

Before you cut with an electric motor jigsaw, you need to put a narrow jigsaw on it. There is a special enhancement for this tool, called a circular cutter, it is set in the center and start working. The tool should not be pressurized while working, it does not contribute to faster running. Pressure can bend and break the jigsaw blade and even its mounts. If the circle to be sawed has a small radius, it is better to perform the work in several approaches, as steep turns can break and bend the blade.

Electric appliances or hand tools?

When determining the diameter of the future wheel, you must consider the dimensions of the working cutter.

The most popular option of all is the jigsaw. This tool allows you to cut not only circles, but also any other geometric shapes. The only disadvantage of it is the need to form additional grooves in the places of turns (corners), but when creating a circle it is unnoticeable. It is very important to choose the right file, i.e.к. they come in 3 types: rips on the left, rips on the right, rips on both sides. Once the cloth is picked up, cut a circle of any size.

Plain hand jigsaw. Before you cut a circle out of plywood with this tool, you need to make sure that the work process is accessible. The main difficulty is the limitation (usually up to 30 cm) due to the physical structure, t.е. it is not possible to work in deep places. When starting work not from an edge, but directly from the center, the file is tucked in the last place.

Milling machine. A very convenient option, but requiring a hard grip with the surface, for which in the center of the circle screwed self. A circle is made of any diameter, and very quickly. Sometimes there is not enough working handle, so you have to do all kinds of improvised brackets, which can be a channel, profile, bar, board and even a rope, but on a rigid coupling is much more convenient. This tool makes a fairly wide hole, so before you start, you need to carefully measure the future structure.

It is necessary to choose only sharp nails, and the edges of the resulting billet are processed with coarse sandpaper.

Nails. A very popular method in cases where the work must be done “already yesterday”, and the tools will not be soon. It is worth noting right away that the work in the end turns out quite rough, so it is used in the most extreme case. Requires only a hammer, 2 nails, and a rope. One nail is hammered into the center of the hole, and the other is stretched on a rope for the required length (radius), after which a circle is firmly drawn. Such circles with pressure continue until the circle is finally cut out. Finally, the nail is removed from the hole, turned over, and carefully tap with a hammer to achieve a neater seam.

Chisel and office knife. Here everything is much easier, because first you need to draw a circle with a compass (pencil), and then this circle is circled several times with a pressurized chisel knife. The peculiarity of the outlining is the movement not of the knife, but of the sheet of plywood, so as not to break the metal, and this action is repeated on 2 sides. Then, a chisel is attached to the prepared seam and the opposite seam is brought with gentle strokes (2-3 strokes are usually enough). At the very end, the circle is hammered out, as in the nailing variant.

How to make a scratching post out of wood with your own hands

What is needed

  • Sisal rope or jute;
  • liquid fabric dye. optional;
  • wooden bar;
  • round wooden workpiece;
  • felt-tip pen, pencil or pen;
  • drill;
  • wood paint. optional; pompoms and yarn. optional;
  • Brush. optional;
  • screws;
  • hot gun;
  • construction stapler;
  • pompoms and yarn. optional;
  • A top for the bar is optional.

How to make a scratching post

Give the rope a different color if you wish, using the instructions on the dye package. In this master class, we painted the rope sections in three different shades.

Place the bar in the center of the round blank and circle.

Divide the rectangle thus drawn with two perpendicular lines. The inside will be four identical smaller figures. Divide them diagonally. at the intersection of the lines will be the points where the screws need to be screwed in. Make the same marks on the base of the bar.

In place of these points, drill four holes on each piece.

The round base can be painted without affecting the center of the workpiece.

circle, plywood

Screw the bar to the round piece with screws on the back side.

Put the future scratching post on its base. Glue sisal rope or jute to the bottom and secure the end with a construction stapler. A screw can be screwed in instead.

Wrap the string around the bar, gluing it to the wood from all sides. If you change the colored pieces, staple the tip of each piece in addition.

4 Ways to Cut Circles in Wood // DIY Circle Cutting Jigs

When the sharpening surface is done, you can still attach string pom-poms and a pretty top.

What other options are available

This cat scratcher is similar to the previous. Only the base is additionally trimmed with fabric, and a simple house made of a small shelf is placed on top:

Key rules

To make the sawing process easy and fast, you need to follow the basic key rules of the job:

In order for the edges of the plywood to be even, it is better to saw along the blade.

  • Work only with dry material, as moisture increases the resistance of the material, which can cause the veneer to begin to delaminate;
  • it was necessary to change the cutting blade immediately after showing the first signs of dulling of the teeth;
  • It is better to work along the fibers of the material with the electric jigsaw, this way the edges will be more even;
  • the hand jigsaw should cut across the grain of the veneer.

To work safely, the following recommendations must be followed:

  • Firmly fasten the sawing table and saw in the frame;
  • The jigsaw should have serviceable and well-fitted handles;
  • you should not push too hard on the jigsaw, trying to “help” him, this will only lead to an acceleration of blunting of the working blade;
  • It is better to make straight and long cuts with a wide blade, so the sawing process will go faster;
  • It is necessary to always see the marking, so sawdust from the material to be sawed should be removed by hand, in no case blow it away, because it can get into the eyes.

Following these simple rules will help the beginner learn how to cut circles with a jigsaw and make his work easier.

How to cut a circle out of wood with a hand router

Flowerpots are now more of a decorative element than an object used for its direct purpose. And yet many people continue to use them as a means of storing spare change. Dropping just a couple of coins into them, after some time inside you can find a nice sum for small, and sometimes large spending.

A stylishly shaped bedding circle can be a real decoration for a garden! There are several options for decorating this area. For example, you can arrange there a flower bed, to sod it with grass, green manure, or fill the space with decorative mulch. Each method has its own characteristics and aims to improve soil structure, retain moisture, provide protection from weeds and some pests and blend in with the overall style of the landscape.

A root circle is an area around the trunk of a tree that equals the projection of the crown. Up to five years old the tree is considered young, so to cover the area around the trunk with anything is undesirable, so as not to interfere with the development of the roots. The soil around the trees in this period should be watered, loosened, fertilized, make sure that it remains moisture- and air-permeable.

At the heart of the transformation, is a circle. The circle represents the nature of the force. And it can be put into action by writing the formula in the circle.

Start carving

Depending on the complexity of the shape, you choose the right tool and start carving. A cut should be made along the contour. If necessary, draw the contour again and make the cut. Then more and more, until the workpiece takes the desired shape.

The next step is to start gradually cutting out small parts. If you doubt that you can do it without pre-marking, don’t take the risk, but use a felt-tip pen or pencil again, and then continue cutting.

After cutting through all the details of the figure, you need to lightly sand the product with sandpaper, and then cover with sunflower oil or boil in it. The oil will cure, and the wood surface will receive reliable protection from dirt and moisture.