How to cut a circle in plywood: selection of tools, shape cutting technologies with a jigsaw, router and improvised means. How and what to cut out curves and circles How to cut an even circle from plywood

Usually to cut from a piece of plywood or board smooth circle, masters resort to various kinds routers, use hand or electric jigsaws, and, at worst, take up a hacksaw. Meanwhile, with the help simple device You can cut an absolutely even circle with a circular saw. How to do this in practice, read and see the detailed step-by-step instructions.

Materials

Before cutting an even circle with a circular saw, make sure you have necessary materials. You will need very little of the latter:

a piece of plywood;
meter;
the circular saw itself;
nails or screws.

Step 1. Take a meter and measure the depth, length and width of the groove on the working part of the table circular saw. Based on the obtained parameters, cut a block from a piece of plywood of suitable thickness.

Step 2. Insert the timber into the gutter and adjust the edges if necessary. The timber should slide easily along the gutter without catching it.

Step 3. Leaving the block in the gutter, place a square piece of plywood on top of it. Install it so that it does not interfere with the operation of the saw itself.

Step 4. Using self-tapping screws, firmly screw the plywood to the block. When choosing fastening materials, pay attention to their length. Self-tapping screws should not damage the surface of the desktop when screwing in.

Step 5. Take a piece of plywood or board from which you need to cut an even circle. Adjust it to the shape of a square. Place the plywood on top of the prepared structure and drive a nail exactly in the middle. Do not drive the nail all the way in. The plywood from which the circle is to be cut should rotate freely, and the nail itself will need to be carefully removed upon completion of the work.

Step 6. Rotate the square in a circle, cutting off its corners to create an octagon.

Step 7. Continuing to rotate the square further, cut off its sharp corners. At the end of the work, carefully sand the slightest irregularities. Yes, without extra effort you will get an even circle cut from a board with a regular circular saw.

The jigsaw is a famous tool manual type, designed for cutting patterns on various surfaces. In terms of its importance, it is as important as a drill or hammer drill.

A jigsaw is used for sawing various types of materials (wood, metal, etc.).

They can make straight and curved openings in wood of any species and other non-natural materials, precise cuts geometric shapes with a complex trajectory. The tips and recommendations listed here will help you figure out how to cut a circle with a jigsaw.

Properties of metalworking tools

The jigsaw is intended for household and professional needs. Devices of the first type are characterized by low power and are designed for work in small volumes. Purpose of use special equipment is the professional orientation of the tool, its productivity and long period of work.

Usually household appliances have a standard set of functions:

frequency of moves;
method of fixing a sheet for cutting;
pendulum type movement;
turning the saw.

A jigsaw is used for finishing surfaces, cutting out uneven edges, internal holes, and making furniture. The processed material is securely fixed to the base. Marks are made on it in advance, then the holes are sawed. Rotational vibrations of the shaft are converted into translational movements. The saw is fixed on the rod, its quality determines the life of the product. When choosing a device, preference should be given to round shapes and thickened stems.

The jigsaw is distinguished by such positive qualities, How:

Cutting holes in any samples.
A simple device allows you to quickly replace saws.
Possibility to make round or rectangular cuts.
Ease of use.
Does not require special knowledge or skills.
The presence of a significant number of saws with different step limits of action and tooth shapes makes it possible to carry out various types work in conditions of one device.
Reliable fixation of the cut sample allows any distance from the edge of the product.
The universal action device allows you to cut to any depth.
During the work, the material is practically not damaged.

Disadvantages:

The shortened movement of the blade ensures slower operation of the device.
Possibility of injury.
Possibility of cord failure.
Checking the battery charge level.

The jigsaw has a built-in protection system, pneumatics and an electric drive.

The new products being released are equipped with improved functions: reducing the number of vibrations, improving productivity indicators, and equipping the device with convenient functions. Depending on the method of fixing the cutting part, saws are:

with holes;
with a cross-shaped element;
with a smooth base.

A jigsaw can in some way replace a router, hand saw, circular, chain saw, corner grinding machine. The tool is necessary in any household; it allows you to carry out wood carving.

The current supplied to the device from the network gives an impulse to the motor, setting it in motion. Together with the gearbox, it transmits the impulse to the gear, which secures the rod. The circular action of the shaft is modified into the movement of the working element of a reciprocating nature, moving up and down. The saws are fixed using screws or clamping mechanisms. Such fasteners help in short terms change the canvas.

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Rules for working with a jigsaw

To understand how to properly saw a circle in wood, it is important to study the features. This carpentry tool helps to cut out ovals, wavy patterns, figures with uneven outlines, non-standard carved boxes, shelves with end-to-end patterns. To ensure that interaction with a jigsaw is organized and safe, it is important to adhere to the following rules:

In order for work with a jigsaw to proceed quickly and safely, do not forget to fix the product before work.

To avoid inconvenience, special stands should be prepared during work. A slot is made up to the middle of the support, somewhat reminiscent of a lock hole.
The stand is fixed with clamps or screws to the workbench.
At the time of work, you need to sit down, position the file strictly vertically relative to the floor and perpendicular to the surface.
The workpiece is placed in the middle of the stand, holding it with your left hand; you can saw the plywood with your right hand. The location of the cuts should be in the middle part of the support hole.
The tool does not tolerate strong pressure: just a small touch and gradual movement up and down, and it will begin to work effectively.

Attributes:

pencil;
drill;
drill;
jigsaw

When working with various types wood you always need to know the detailed variations in its processing. Before you cut a circle in plywood, you need to know all the options, because you often have to adapt to the situation. There are many options for carrying out such an undertaking, and they differ radically.

In order to cut a circle from plywood, you can use both professional tools, and improvised means.

Power tools or hand tools?

Tools and materials:

drill;
jigsaw;
hand jigsaw;
milling machine;
nails;
rope;
chisel;
hammer;
stationery knife;
sandpaper;
compass.

When determining the diameter of the future circle, it is necessary to take into account the dimensions of the working cutter.

The most popular option among all is a jigsaw. This tool allows you to cut not only circles, but also any other geometric shapes. Its only disadvantage is the need to form additional grooves at turning points (corners), but this is not noticeable when creating a circle. It is very important to choose the right nail file, because... they come in 3 types: vomiting on the left, vomiting on the right, vomiting on both sides. After the canvas is selected, cut out a circle of any size.

An ordinary hand jigsaw. Before cutting a circle from plywood using this tool, you need to make sure that the workflow is accessible. The main difficulty is the limitation (usually up to 30 cm) due to the physical structure, i.e. It won't work in deep places. When starting work, not from the edge, but directly from the center, the nail file is threaded last.

Milling machine. A very convenient option, but it requires rigid adhesion to the surface, for which a self-tapping screw is screwed into the center of the circle. A circle can be made of any diameter, and very quickly. Sometimes there is not enough working handle, which is why you have to make all sorts of improvised brackets, which can be a channel, a profile, a block, a board or even a rope, but with a rigid hitch it is much more convenient. This tool makes a fairly wide hole, so before starting work you need to carefully measure the future structure.

It is necessary to select only sharp nails, and process the edges of the resulting workpiece with coarse nails. sandpaper.

Nails. A very popular method in cases where the work must be done “yesterday”, but the tools will not be available soon. It is worth noting right away that the work ends up being quite rough, so it is used as a last resort. All you need is a hammer, 2 nails and a rope. One nail is driven into the center of the hole, and the other is pulled on a rope to the required length (radius), after which a circle is drawn with a firm movement. Such circles with pressure continue until the circle is finally cut out. At the very end, the nail is removed from the hole, turned over and carefully beaten with a hammer to achieve a more accurate seam.

Chisel and stationery knife. Here everything is much simpler, because first you need to draw a circle with a compass (pencil), after which this circle is circled several times with a stationery knife under pressure. The peculiarity of the outline is the movement not of a knife, but of a sheet of plywood, so as not to break the metal, and this action is repeated on 2 sides. Then a chisel is applied to the prepared seam and with gentle blows it is brought to the opposite seam (2-3 blows are usually enough). At the very end, a circle is knocked out with a hammer, as in the version with nails.

All photos from the article

Fans of all kinds of handicrafts should definitely pay attention to this type of decorative and applied art, such as plywood cutting. This method can be used to make all kinds of figures, patterns and other decorative elements.

Moreover, mastering such a technique is quite simple; the only thing is that you first need to familiarize yourself with its main nuances, which we will do below.

What you need for cutting

First of all, let's consider what tool you will need for this. It should be said right away that expensive equipment for cutting out plywood is not required. Therefore, anyone can do this kind of work.

The only thing you need to prepare is the following tool:

jigsaw;
electric drill and brace;
scissors;
cardboard templates;
files.

In the photo - a manual jigsaw

In addition, you will need various consumables, such as:

sandpaper for sanding cut areas;
tracing paper;
pencils;
glue;
acrylic paints, etc.

In addition, it is necessary to prepare workplace. Since working with any wood materials implies the presence of sawdust and unnecessary trimmings; it is advisable to set up a workplace not in a living space, but, for example, in a garage.

The workplace itself is a table. It is advisable to attach a jigsaw stand to it, which can be made from a plank. It is also necessary to ensure good local lighting of the workplace.

Cutting Features

Material selection

As you know, plywood is a multilayer material that consists of several layers of veneer. This makes it great for creativity.

The only thing is that you need to choose the right type of plywood. To do this, you need to pay attention to the following parameters:

Options	Optimal material type
Thickness	To cut out plywood yourself, you should not use sheets that are too thick, as this will complicate the work. At the same time, the material must be strong enough. That's why optimal value thickness – 8 mm.
Brand	The brand indicates the type of adhesive used to glue the veneer together. It depends on things like: material price; its moisture resistance; environmental friendliness. To make decor that will be used in a residential area, you should use environmentally friendly brands of plywood, for example, FC. If the product is made for outdoor use, it is necessary to use moisture-resistant sheets, such as FSF.
Variety	Determines the quality of the material, and therefore its appearance. Accordingly, for creativity it is necessary to use sheets of the highest grades so that they do not have any visible defects.
Wood type	For cutting are the best option plywood sheets from coniferous species, since they are easy to machining, and at the same time have an attractive texture. True, in cases where a weak texture is required, you can use birch plywood.

What to cut

As a rule, people who encounter this kind of work for the first time are interested in what can be cut out of plywood?

There are a lot of options - these could be:

patterns for decorating furniture or other interior elements;
panel on the wall;
decorative inscriptions;
all kinds of figures, toys for children, etc.

Advice! You can also make functional carved objects from plywood, for example, boxes, candlesticks, napkin stands, lamps and much more.

Of course, you should start by cutting out the most simple products, to “get your hand.” After gaining experience, you can take on work of any complexity.

Cutting process

After preparing the workplace and materials, we proceed directly to the cutting itself.

Instructions for doing this work look like this:

First of all, you need to make an image of the future product. You can make them yourself, or find them on the Internet and print them. It must be said that templates must be prepared even before cutting out words from plywood with simple contours, as this will greatly simplify the work and improve its quality.

You can also prepare templates of simple geometric shapes in advance different sizes to, for example, quickly cut a circle or square from plywood;

then the images should be transferred to cardboard, for example, using carbon paper;
now you need to cut out templates from cardboard;
Next, the prepared templates need to be placed on a plywood sheet and outlined with a pencil. If the design is large enough, it can be fixed with tape or even glue;
Now let's start cutting. If you need to beautifully cut the edge of plywood, giving it smooth shapes, you can use a jigsaw. Thinner and difficult work, for example, small openwork patterns should be cut out with a hand jigsaw.

To make internal cuts, you must first drill a hole. Depending on the fineness of the work, you can use an electric drill or a brace for this;

After cutting is completed, it is necessary to treat the cut areas with sandpaper. To correct the lines, you can use needle files;
then the product needs to be sanded. If it consists of several parts, they must be glued together, for example, with PVA or wood glue.

Advice! Novice craftsmen often ask experts how to cut an even circle from plywood? In fact, there are no secrets in this operation, the main thing is to correctly apply the circle to the material using a template or compass, and then carefully and slowly cut it out with a jigsaw.

This completes the cutting process. Now the product can be decorated - painted with paints, applied with a burner, or simply varnished.

Advice! Word templates for cutting out of plywood can be prepared in text editor, such as Word. This will allow you to choose the most suitable size and font.

Here, in fact, are all the main nuances of this work.

Conclusion

Sawing out plywood with a jigsaw is a much simpler task than, for example, wood carving. Therefore, in order to achieve good results It won't take years to master the skill. You just need to do the work carefully, adhering to the recommendations outlined above.

The video in this article contains additional information on the topic discussed. If some points are not clear to you, you can leave your questions in the comments, and we will be happy to answer them.

Plywood sheets are rarely used in the same format in which they are offered for sale. Most often, plywood is additionally cut. Often the task arises of obtaining a workpiece of a certain shape. How to cut a circle from plywood, even without having a special tool at hand, we will tell you in more detail.

It is recommended to cut only on dry plywood. Humidity increases the resistance of the board and increases the risk of fractures, veneer delamination and other defects.
Replace cutting tool It is better immediately when primary signs of dullness appear.
When using an electric jigsaw, in order to obtain the cleanest possible edges of the workpiece, the cutting line should be directed along the fibers, but when using hand tools- across the veneer. In the latter case, there may be more chips, but the tool most likely will not leave the cutting line.
When transferring drawings or other elements onto plywood, try to ensure that flaws (spots, knots and cracks on the material) go to waste and not to the plywood itself.
If the task is complex, for example, cutting round product, then you need to think about using a special tool (a circular saw or an ordinary saw will not work) or original improvised means.

How to cut a circle from plywood

The hardest thing to decide is how to cut an even circle from plywood, if there is no special tool at hand. But even in such a situation there is a way out - available means. What is the essence of the method:

The main tool is a wooden strip with a pair of nails.
The first nail must be driven through the strip and then placed in the very center of the plywood piece.
The second nail should be as sharp as possible. It is driven in at a distance equal to the radius of the circle from the first one. The point should protrude from the strip by about 5-10 mm or more (depending on the thickness of the plywood sheet).
By rotating the bar relative to the first nail, the second nail forms a groove and gradually deepens in the plywood
Rotations are carried out until the plywood sheet is completely cut.

Instead of a bar, you can use a high-strength cord, but the principles of obtaining a circle do not change.

More traditional methods making a circle from plywood using a suitable tool:

jigsaw - electric or manual. Initially, a sketch is made in pencil (for example, using a template), then a cut is made along the lines, and the finished part is additionally sanded with a file or sandpaper;
milling cutter. An excellent tool for making a circle from thick plywood. The standard ruler is fixed with a self-tapping screw in the center of the circle. Next, the cutter rotates along a given radius, forming a hole of a regular round shape.

Why do you need a plywood circle?

Before you think how to cut a circle in plywood with a jigsaw, you need to clearly understand why it is needed. Subsequently, either the resulting round-shaped blank itself or a plywood sheet with a hole of the correct shape can be used.

Where a round piece of plywood can come in handy:

for making various crafts and templates for them;
used as a base for a wall clock;
be used for subsequent figure cutting or decoupage;
act as the seat of a stool, kitchen tabletop or coffee table etc.
for creating various souvenirs, for example, boxes, etc.

You may also need to cut out the correct circle from plywood for subsequent use of a sheet with a hole:

installations mortise sink into the tabletop;
getting a ceiling with a cutout underneath lighting fixtures round shape ( spotlights or one chandelier);
for the production of furniture with decorative facades and other elements, etc.