Band Saw Circles

To quickly and accurately cut a circle for a table-top, large or small, use your band saw. Securely clamp a hardwood board on the saw table with the tip of a screw sticking up as a pivot for the workpiece to spin on. Prepare the workpiece like this:

• Mark the center point, draw the circle, then tap the center with a nail to make a cone-shaped dent so the workpiece will spin on the center pivot.
• Cut a notch tangent with the circle where the blade will begin the cut.
• Rough-cut around the circle, leaving an inch or so of waste so the workpiece won’t hit the clamps as it turns.

To cut the circle, set the blade (either 3/8 or 1/2 in. wide) in the notch and the circle’s center dent on the screw pivot. Turn on the saw, and gently revolve the workpiece clockwise to cut the circle.