Cutting circles with a jigsaw

Thomas Prufer · 2020-07-02T12:41:40+00:00

Given: plywood, jigsaw wanted: circular bit of plywood, diameters 60-80 cm, small hole in the middle isOK.Yeah: "make a jig", i.e. an arm with the wanted radius, attached to the jigsawbase, screw middle down and cut around. But: I seem to recall there's a catch there somewhere, or a best way of doingthis, in positioning the radius arm with respect to the blade. Should the radiusarm attach to the jigsaw a) ahead of the blade, b) exactly off to the side ofthe blade, or c) further back from the jigsaw blade?Thomas Prufer

Jul 02, 2020 Last reply: 6 years ago 24 Replies

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John Rumm 6 years ago

I thought the thumbnail for the video told you all you needed!

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RJH 6 years ago

Wouldn't fancy using a jigsaw for smaller holes, at least with the blades I've got. I've just done some (14cm and 5cm diameters) using a router, by hand for the cutout, and using a plank of wood/nail for the rebate.

Didn't take that l> Yes ever tried cutting holes for speakers in cabinets, I mean takes ages. > Brian

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Dave Plowman (News) 6 years ago

See my earlier post.

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Thomas Prufer 6 years ago

Fast-forwarded through it, just in case:-)

I wonder why the older-but-nice Metabo pendulum-action jigsaw doesn't seem to have the mounting holes for the circle cutter... maybe I missed them.

Thomas Prufer

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John Rumm 6 years ago

Not all do - although some have a mount for a side fence that you can use.

On those with a pressed steel baseplate, once could drill through it and then screw to something, but I would be less keen to do that on a quality cast baseplate :-)

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