My First Sled

[Drewboy22]

I have wanted to make a circle cutting jig for a while now. The main reason is to cut out bowl blanks and the secondary reason was to cut out a disc for sanding on the lathe.

So I fired to the trust band-saw and got to cuttin'. The first order of business was to cut a strip for the guide (I don't know how most of y'all do it but that took a lot of trimming and sanding to get it the right size.)I didn't have any wood glue so I used some medium CA. I will put some screws in it later to hold it but for now, just glue.

After that I glued a stop on the bottom to keep the sled from moving.

Then I made the "cut". at the end of the cut where the blade stopped I drilled a hold for sawdust and stuff. Then measured out 3" from center and drilled a 7mm hole. I used 7mm because that is what my screw chuck says to use. I had a dowel rod but it was to big so I turned it to size and cut it to fit.

I took it for a spin and WOW, I wish I would have done this earlier. It is so much easier than following a line

Thanks for reading

 

[mike4066]

Congrats! I love that feeling of satisfaction I get when I finish a jig and can create that thing I've been thinking about.

 

[Drewboy22]

Thanks Mike!

 

[JimB]

Great job. I made one about 6 months ago. It sure makes cutting bowl blanks a lot easier!

 

[jttheclockman]

Good job. If you want to make the center hole small just use a nail and cut the head off. You really do not have to drill all the way through the blank either. Just keep the nail sticking up about 1/4" There are ways to make them adjustable so that you can make all size circles. Good luck.

 

[JimB]

I actually use a nail as John suggested. I drilled holes every half inch and move the nail to whatever size I want to cut the circle.

 

[Drewboy22]

Good job. If you want to make the center hole small just use a nail and cut the head off. You really do not have to drill all the way through the blank either. Just keep the nail sticking up about 1/4" There are ways to make them adjustable so that you can make all size circles. Good luck.

I actually use a nail as John suggested. I drilled holes every half inch and move the nail to whatever size I want to cut the circle.

I plan on doing the same with mine. I put a "tick" mark at 2.5, 3 and 4 inches and drilled out the 3" hole for this project. I will drill the other two as needed.

As for the nail... Do you hammer the nail into the "Project" piece and then place it in the hole? Do you have pics of this set up?

Drew

 

[jttheclockman]

Good job. If you want to make the center hole small just use a nail and cut the head off. You really do not have to drill all the way through the blank either. Just keep the nail sticking up about 1/4" There are ways to make them adjustable so that you can make all size circles. Good luck.

I actually use a nail as John suggested. I drilled holes every half inch and move the nail to whatever size I want to cut the circle.

I plan on doing the same with mine. I put a "tick" mark at 2.5, 3 and 4 inches and drilled out the 3" hole for this project. I will drill the other two as needed.

As for the nail... Do you hammer the nail into the "Project" piece and then place it in the hole? Do you have pics of this set up?

Drew

Hello Drew

First no I do not hammer the nail in. I have holes that accept the size of the nail exact.

But instead of showing my sled here is a video that shows the whole prosses and how easy it is to make. I have cut circles 3 feet in diameter. I use a stand to hold the jig. Also use a smaller one for small circles. Mine is almost exactly as the one shown because this is like a universal pattern that many wood magazines show. Some variations can be made. The use of the pop rivet is a nice touch. Using a nail means you do not have to make that router groove. It is just a little difference. You can get as creative and nice as you want. Good luck.

circle cutting jig for a bandsaw - Bing video

 

[JimB]

No hammering needed. The nail is a snug fit into the jig. I move the nail by hand from hole to hole for the size I need. I drill a small hole in the blank that is also a snug fit for the nail. I have the jig measured up to a maximum of 8" (16" diameter bowl) as that is the capacity of my lathe.

My jig looks just like yours except more holes and a nail.

I have seen the adjustable ones on You Tube. I kept mine simple as it is all that I need. I am just cutting logs into bowl blanks. If for some reason I want another size I can just drill another hole for the nail in the jig.

 

[Marko50]

I'm to brain dead to have thought of such a simple solution. Brilliant!

 

[Drewboy22]

Good job. If you want to make the center hole small just use a nail and cut the head off. You really do not have to drill all the way through the blank either. Just keep the nail sticking up about 1/4" There are ways to make them adjustable so that you can make all size circles. Good luck.

I actually use a nail as John suggested. I drilled holes every half inch and move the nail to whatever size I want to cut the circle.

I plan on doing the same with mine. I put a "tick" mark at 2.5, 3 and 4 inches and drilled out the 3" hole for this project. I will drill the other two as needed.

As for the nail... Do you hammer the nail into the "Project" piece and then place it in the hole? Do you have pics of this set up?

Drew

Hello Drew

First no I do not hammer the nail in. I have holes that accept the size of the nail exact.

But instead of showing my sled here is a video that shows the whole prosses and how easy it is to make. I have cut circles 3 feet in diameter. I use a stand to hold the jig. Also use a smaller one for small circles. Mine is almost exactly as the one shown because this is like a universal pattern that many wood magazines show. Some variations can be made. The use of the pop rivet is a nice touch. Using a nail means you do not have to make that router groove. It is just a little difference. You can get as creative and nice as you want. Good luck.

circle cutting jig for a bandsaw - Bing video

John, that is pretty much what I did just a smaller platform. I used a 7mm hole and dowel because that what I use for my screw chuck. Now I just drill one hole.

But I can dig the rivit or nail method :wink: