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Routing an edge on small circle

AldeanFan

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A current project requires about a 2-1/2’ circle cut out of 3/4” wood, with an edge routed on it.

Any tips for making this?


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dogdog

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use guided bearing on those router bits ?


round over bits?
 

The Cobbler

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what tools do you have?
heres a way with a router to cut the circle, and you could use the same set up to route a profile on the edge, or use a bearing bit to follow the part.
if the part is thick, you could rough cut it with a jig saw using the same technique, or follow a line by eye, followed with the jig on the router ( the idea would be not so much material to be removed from the router).
 

dogdog

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for smaller precision circle cutting (hole or disc)

I have the Jasper circle jigs. originally made for Fabricating speaker cabinets etc.

Jasper 200J Model 200
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00009K77A/?tag=atomicindus08-20

and this one..
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00009K77D/?tag=atomicindus08-20

larger circles/discs I used that DIY method above... similar...



The edge routed round over or any kind of design like ogee, 45degs etc. Would be easier if you use a guided bearing like mentioned.

If you are routing the edge over a 2.5" disc... then you'll probably needed the route table and guide bearings... No fence needed. IMO.
 
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juddspaintballs

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I also have Jasper circle jigs and I use them for lots of things. Most recently, I had to make rings for the former pot lights over the sink to put slip in LED modules and make it look right with the way the drywall was cut. I cut the outer circle, then the inner circle, then I put a roundover bit on the router with a bearing on it and ran the outer diameter across the bearing to put a fancy roundover on the edge. This sounds like what you're trying to do for the most part? You just need a roundover bit that has the bearing, basically.
 

BukitCase

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Watched the Jasper video and immediately ordered the larger Jasper jig; I made the mistake ONCE of buying Milescraft **** from (IIRC) Peachtree woodworking; IMO, if HF had one it'd be better quality. 'Nuff said.. Steve

PS - I noticed that Amazon's pulling their price gouge on people that don't read; one jig was just under $40, multiples were at least TWICE that per. I've run into that on several things, I just choose "one" and then choose the quantity I want. So far so good...
 
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Moosefire

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I've seen Jimmy directly (youtube) mount his router upside down in his vise, so he could hold the material itself to router an edge. He makes it look easy

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matt_i

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I read it as a 2-1/2' (foot) as in 30" diameter.

If you can stand the center pin's divot, you can make the router arm out of a 1x4, or a piece of 3/4" plywood, to hog out the circle.

Sand smooth, then go for the roundover bit guided by a bearing.
 

dogdog

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I read it as a 2-1/2' (foot) as in 30" diameter.

If you can stand the center pin's divot, you can make the router arm out of a 1x4, or a piece of 3/4" plywood, to hog out the circle.

Sand smooth, then go for the roundover bit guided by a bearing.

Yea not sure if OP means ' or " probably it's the feet/foot thing .... I would have just DIY the circle jig for cheap and one off... I made mine out of those laminate flooring scraps... Either case the Jasper still have great instructions that applies...

I have the milescraft 1219 circle guide also but looking at the jasper 300 one...


I would definitely go for the jasper 300 instead if I haven't bought one already.. just because they are easier to use repeated consistency.

I would definitely get a router that can do step depth cutting... and cut it in 3 different passes on different depths each time. I tried to do a one pass and that didn't end too well... especially on 1/4 shank stuff... 1/2 shank it is still struggling. .

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01KG5FC06/?tag=atomicindus08-20
 

toplessHO

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central florida
Im guessing the OP was just a tick off and means 2.5 inches.
I would plunge cut the circle and edge and leave just enough material
to hold it in place, then finish off
 

tarbellb

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This guy knows a thing or two about woodworking ∆∆∆

Or maybe

If you have access to a router table, use a zero clearance finder and a push stick.
 

dogdog

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I read it as a 2-1/2' (foot) as in 30" diameter.

If you can stand the center pin's divot, you can make the router arm out of a 1x4, or a piece of 3/4" plywood, to hog out the circle.

Sand smooth, then go for the roundover bit guided by a bearing.

Yea not sure if OP means ' or " probably it's the feet/foot thing .... I would have just DIY the circle jig for cheap and one off... I made mine out of those laminate flooring scraps... Either case the Jasper still have great instructions that applies...

I have the milescraft 1219 circle guide also but looking at the jasper 300 one...


I would definitely go for the jasper 300 instead if I haven't bought one already.. just because they are easier to use repeated consistency.

I would definitely get a router that can do step depth cutting... and cut it in 3 different passes on different depths each time. I tried to do a one pass and that didn't end too well... especially on 1/4 shank stuff... 1/2 shank it is still struggling. .

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01KG5FC06/?tag=atomicindus08-20


Now I am looking at this thread for some weird reason again...

Title says " Routing an edge on small circle"
 
OP
A

AldeanFan

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Wow this was a way more interesting topic than i expected, usually my posts get only a few replies.

Yes, my fat thumbs on my new iPhone mistakenly typed 2-1/2t’ when it should have been 2-1/2”.

I ended up just cutting it out on my scroll saw and using the router table with a man l shaped fence and pilot bit.

I’m calling this “the button”. We have a toilet paper holder in the bathroom that mounts with one screw and it spins around and is never straight.
The button will mount to the drywall with two screws and the toilet paper holder will mount to it with a screw that won’t loosen and allow the toilet paper holder to stick.

Thanks to everyone, due to my mistake I now know how to make circles both large and small!


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