Plywood, unlike others sheet materials, due to its dense and not loose structure, can be easily cut out and obtained from it into various decorative complex shapes. Possessing standard set tools, every House master capable of cutting out of this material any desired, and even complex elements. However, in order for the blanks to have a marketable appearance and not interfere with the intended decorative element, you need to take into account some nuances when working with plywood. How to cut smooth circle from plywood?
Many people cut parts out of plywood more than once, but mostly they had to make straight cutting lines. It is not often necessary to cut out round or wavy parts; few people dare to make a circle out of plywood. Therefore, this task at first glance may seem impossible. For figured sawing You will need the following tools:
- An ordinary jigsaw. A tool often used for DIY sawing of thin sheet materials. However, thick thicknesses are beyond his strength;
- Jigsaw. Such power tools are divided into two types of devices: conventional, in which the file is located vertically, and for artwork, in which the working element is a steel sheet, as can be seen in the photo. For working with thick plywood regular one will do jigsaw, but you won’t be able to make an even circle of plywood with it. But curved elements, such as letters, can be cut out artistic jigsaw, which is equipped band saw. Thus, for quality performance various types work, the appropriate device is selected.
- More complex equipment, such as a router, a circle of plywood can be cut very smoothly. It is of course more difficult to control, but with its help you can cut a circle of plywood from sheets with sufficient large thickness. The quality of work on such a machine is superior to other cutting methods, and the cut of the wheel is even.
- Templates for drawings should be placed on the workpiece sheet so that areas with damage and flaws then go to waste, and clean areas are located under the drawing, that is, they later become a finished product;
- Before cutting a circle from plywood with a jigsaw, you need to make sure that the material is completely dry. Since humidity increases the resistance of plywood, and as a result, either the veneer may delaminate or the tool may break;
- To ensure that the edges of the cut are free of notches and burrs, you need to cut it with a jigsaw along the grain of the veneer. With a hand jigsaw, on the contrary, you need to cut across the veneer fibers, although chips may form, but there is no risk that the file will deviate from the cutting line;
- As soon as it becomes noticeable that the cutting teeth have become dull, you immediately need to change the working blade or saw.
Curly cutting methods
When starting to cut out with a jigsaw, a sketch of the design is first applied to the sheet using carbon paper. The initial holes are drilled with a drill. A file or working element of a jigsaw is inserted into it and the free edge of the file is fixed using a clamp or screw. Next, sawing is done according to the template transferred to the plywood. Then unnecessary elements are removed, and the workpiece is sanded along the edges sandpaper, or processed with a file. The video shows this process.
A furniture router is not suitable for cutting out complex shapes, but cutting a circle out of plywood evenly is very easy. The standard ruler of this machine is fixed in the center of the circle using a self-tapping screw. When the cutter begins to rotate along a given radius, a completely even circle is cut out. To correctly calculate the diameter of the circle, it is necessary to take into account the dimensions of the cutting cutter. You can correctly navigate this issue by first studying the instructions for the equipment.
How to make curly blanks using various instruments, and the machines described above, and if you don’t have anything at hand, how to cut a circle from plywood without a jigsaw.
Here simplest technology cutting a circle from a slab of plywood, having a few simple items available:
- Taken wooden plank and two nails. The first nail is driven into the center of the intended circle through the bar. The second nail is driven into the plank so that its sharp edge extends five to ten millimeters beyond the limits of the plank;
- The distance between the fixed nails will be the radius for the required circle;
- Committing rotational movements, a line is made on plywood. By wrapping the bar many times, the furrow is made deeper and deeper.
- The sharper the nail is chosen, the sooner the drawn line will receive a recess;
- The bar is easily replaced with a cord, next steps the cuts remain unchanged.
The above method is one of the least effective, but also has a right to exist. And if you have a jigsaw, cutting out a circle with your own hands will not be difficult.
Questions often arise about how to cut a circle with a jigsaw, since many craftsmen only deal with straight cuts of the material. But cutting out varying degrees of curvilinearity seems difficult only at first glance.
For cutting you will need:
- jigsaw;
- plywood or other material;
- files special purpose depending on the material;
- marker;
- sample;
- working surface;
- clamp.
Exist various ways. You can cut a circle with either a manual or mechanical jigsaw. A hand tool is a simpler device than an electric one. It is not suitable for thick layers of material or for long cuts. Jigsaws are divided into ordinary and artistic. The difference between them is in the location of the file: in a regular file, the file is located vertically, but in an artistic one, the role of the file is played by a steel blade. A regular jigsaw can be used to cut through thick plywood to make a headboard or other furniture. Artistic ones can cut out complex elements, letters, puzzle pieces.
Cutting blades are varied for each type of jigsaw, and they need to be selected according to the material with which you are working.
How to cut out of plywood with a jigsaw?
Before cutting a circle out of plywood, there are a few things to remember: general advice to work with this material. Sawing can only be done on dry material. Wet plywood has increased resistance, and when cutting, the veneer will begin to peel, which will lead to damage to the file or even the entire tool in the case of electric models. At the first sign that the teeth are not sharp enough or that some part of the blade is bent, the file should be replaced.
When sawing plywood with a jigsaw, you should, if possible, place the main cutting lines along the veneer fibers.
This will promote clean cut edges. When working with a hand jigsaw It is easier to cut across the grain. This will not protect you from chips, but there will be less chance that the file will get pinched or it will move along the chip away from the intended line.
Before cutting out the circle, you need to transfer its contours to the plywood. In this case, you need to try to ensure that areas with defects, chips, stains and knots fall outside the cut contour. You can transfer the outline to plywood by tracing it through carbon paper, cutting out a paper outline for tracing, or simply drawing a circle of the required radius with a compass. If necessary, a starting hole in the plywood is made using a thin drill.
To cut a circle with a jigsaw, a blade is inserted into the hole. The free end of the manual model is again fixed in place using a clamp or mounting screw. The workpiece is pressed against the workbench with clamps, and the cut is made according to the transferred line. When the circle is closed, the central element is separated from the sheet and the edges are processed with sandpaper or a file.
Before cutting with a jigsaw with an electric motor, you need to install a narrow file on it. There is a special improvement for this tool called a circle cutter, it is installed in the center and work begins. When working, do not put pressure on the tool; this does not contribute to faster movement. As a result of the pressure, the jigsaw blade and even its fasteners can bend and break. If the circle that needs to be cut has a small radius, it is better to do the work in several approaches, since sharp turns can break and bend the blade.
The file must be placed close to the cutting line. The guide is compressed with the platform side. After this, they begin cutting.
The tool moves forward smoothly and the platform is carefully controlled. The platform and guide should move closer to each other so that nothing moves. The sawn-off part must be carefully held with a few centimeters remaining to the end. Then the part will not break off.
What to do if you have problems with accuracy
- The main requirement is reliable fastening of the material for which processing is required. In addition, cutting should be convenient for the person himself.
- It is better to use guides if there are serious doubts that a person will cope with the work. For example, wooden block will be an excellent guide for straight cuts. It is simply secured along the markings. It is much more difficult when the shape of the future product is quite complex. Then the use of patterns is recommended. Otherwise, the speed of work will have to be reduced so that the result is more accurate.
- Problems with the saw are one of the most common problems during cutting. There is a possibility of chipping and dullness. It is better to inspect it if it is noticeable that the instrument is moving strongly to the side.
- If there are jerks, there is a possibility that the cut will move to the side. Other failures in the instrument also lead to a decrease in accuracy. It is recommended to begin eliminating such problems immediately, on the spot.
- The skill of the performer himself also affects the accuracy of the final work.
Professional secrets
It is necessary to check how firmly the canvas is fastened.
This mechanism may have its own characteristics depending on the manufacturer.
To work with any cutting tools, the fastening of the blade, its general position, is really important.
A useful device will be one that is responsible for removing sawdust. Its operating principle is very simple. There is a flow of air from the fan cooling the motor.
It is used to remove debris. The removal system makes the cut line more visible to the master's eye.
The drill can be easily changed when cutting holes using a technique called "pocketing". To do this, just tilt the jigsaw forward, then the rounded tips will rest on the surface being cut.
The blade should be positioned above the future cutting line with maximum precision. You need to lower the support saw horizontally, and then continue to practice.
For such work, marks are first made inside the material, and then, following them, the tool itself is drawn. If the shape is square or rectangular, the blade is pulled back slightly before the craftsman moves the tool to the next side. And so all four are processed.
The use of plunge cutting is permissible if it is impossible to create holes of the required dimensions. To do this, the jigsaw tilts forward until the file reaches the workpiece. Gradually during this process a through hole appears.
What else you need to know about working with a jigsaw
At its core, this device is regular saw, only equipped with an electric motor. It is recommended to take it for carpentry work if it is necessary to cut surfaces with wide, smooth sides.
In this case, the instrument itself remains in place. Movement is organized only by the material that needs processing.
The cut is made from the back side, then its characteristics will please you.
- Machine oil for lubrication is needed if you are working with metal or tiles.
- Cold water should cool the cut line when processing metal.
- Personal protection cannot be provided without glasses and gloves.
- Plastic is processed with a jigsaw only from the rear, otherwise it is impossible to obtain an even cut.
A special plate is attached to the support sole of the jigsaw; it allows for greater accuracy. This makes the saw blades move smoother over the surface. Any will be cut evenly.
About the types of instruments
First of all, they can be professional or household. Professional means that the device will have high power. It is usually 580-720 W. But for household ones it is less, from only 320 watts. But this is quite enough for a small amount of work at home.
The higher the power of the tool, the thicker the material it can handle without problems.
Any type of tool can handle creating holes up to 15 mm. But we must take into account that jigsaws, which have the lowest speed of 1000 rpm, cannot even cope with plastic.
Jigsaws are sometimes divided into groups depending on how the saw is mounted on them. For example, for a shank with a hole, smooth or cross-shaped. The last two types have become the most common because they are best suited for home tools.
Design and its features
Each jigsaw has a so-called support sole. It always rests on the part that needs to be sawed. Due to this, the accuracy of work is noticeably increased.
The soleplate can be easily rotated to make bevel cuts. Some manufacturers produce in which the main tool is fixed only at a certain angle.
The file acts as the main cutting tool. Tooth spacing, sharpening method, size, shape, materials - literally every model has its own. 75, 85 and 100 millimeters are the most suitable lengths if you need to cut materials of low density. The saw step size also becomes a fairly important parameter.
- Metal requires a pitch of 12 millimeters.
- U wooden products it is from 2.5 to 4.
About additional accessories
Special effort to obtain maximum result not required. The tool can work as a separate device, without any additions. But there are parts that can improve the performance of a regular jigsaw.
You can learn how to cut with a jigsaw without chipping from the video:
A jigsaw is a very useful power tool. Usage the right file, a little experience and confidence, and most importantly - correct position body, you can do everything with it. You can do many things that cannot be done with other instruments. The machine is used for cutting straight lines, curves, profiles and circle trimming. Great for cutting wood, metal and plastic.
The master showed how to cut a perfect circle with a jigsaw. He made a device out of wood. Its design is simple, and the device itself is easy to manufacture. To get an idea of this, see this image.
Material used:
12 mm plywood sheet. Wooden strip. Nails.
How to do
First of all, measure the size of the jigsaw machine's base plate. The next step is to cut the plywood sheet into an L shape as shown in the image.
After cutting the sheet of plywood to the exact size, the next step is to cut a strip of wood to attach the sheet with nails. This strip is used to hold the jigsaw in its position.
Make sure that there should not be any type of opening between the strip and the base plate of the jigsaw.
The next step is to drill small holes on the sheet. The distance between these holes is, for example, 1° cm. These holes are used for cutting circles of different diameters.
After that I painted it so that it looked good. It is now ready to be used to cut a perfect clamp circle.
Advantages:
It's very easy to do.
Easy to use.
Less costs.
Used for cutting round discs of various diameters.
For better understanding, watch the video below.
- Hand tool
- Jigsaw
- Preparing the stencil
- Sawing process technology
- Defects in work
Wood carving with a jigsaw is rapidly gaining popularity: many people want to purchase an interesting decorative item to decorate their home, furniture, and even clothes! Carved objects made of plywood of various thicknesses fit organically into any interior style; people often purchase photo frames for photographs with ornaments, cut-out words and letters, or order intricate shelves and other interesting products. Few people know that artistic sawing using a plywood jigsaw is a task accessible to anyone, even the untrained and inexperienced. You just need to understand how to work with the tool.
What is a jigsaw: general description
A jigsaw is a tool designed for cutting out plywood various contours, including curved ones. It is equipped with a blade with fine teeth that can make an even cut of plywood without the formation of significant burrs.
Hand tool
The ancestor of this type of tool is a manual jigsaw. It consists of a metal arc in the shape of the letter “U”, between the ends of which a sawing blade is stretched and attached to clamps. They securely hold the file during operation and allow you to adjust its tension. On one side of the frame there is a handle.
The clamps on the tool can rotate, creating different planes for sawing, thereby providing the opportunity for wood carving of varying complexity.
When cutting from plywood with a hand jigsaw, you need to be careful: its design is quite fragile, and during intensive work, the blade often breaks from force and heat, so it has to be replaced. To do this, each master must have several dozen spare files.
When working with a jigsaw to carve internal contours, it is convenient to use such an auxiliary board as in the photo: it will help both protect the table and solve the problem of convenient placement of the workpiece.
Jigsaw
The tool runs on electrical network. It is a housing in which the working mechanisms are located, and there is also a handle for control on it. The sawing organ is located in the lower front part. The blade is often protected by a foot, which allows you to cut the contour exactly along the line without deviation. Advanced and professional models jigsaws have various attachments that facilitate the cutting process and straighten the edges of plywood.
Blades can have different teeth in shape and size. It is necessary to select saw blades that are appropriate for the material being processed so that damage and damage to the plywood sheet does not occur during operation of the mechanism.
Classification of jigsaws by power and application:
The instructions on how to use a jigsaw, or the technical data sheet, should describe the main parameters of the tool that must be taken into account when using the mechanism.
Wood carving tools
Sawing with a jigsaw is a creative process, but it requires preparation and additional equipment. What you will need for work:
Preparing the stencil
Drawings for cutting with a jigsaw can be different sizes, depending on the scale of the product being manufactured. To create a diagram of a shelf, a piece of furniture or a composite three-dimensional toy, you can take large leaf Whatman paper A1 or A0, the wallpaper remaining after the renovation will also work; for small figures, use regular A4 paper or another suitable format.
Using a bright pencil or marker, draw the outline of the future product on the surface, following the dimensions. This could be an element for assembling furniture, a shelf or another large product.
There are such a wide variety of templates for cutting with a jigsaw that it can be difficult to choose the right one. It is much easier to come up with your own cutting patterns and transfer them to paper.
Transferring an image to the surface of plywood or boards
Before you start cutting with a jigsaw, you need to transfer the image from the stencil to a piece of wood or plywood. To do this, cut out a shape from a sheet, apply it to the surface of the plywood and carefully trace it. It is desirable that the line be smooth and accurate. We use with a simple pencil so that if necessary, you can correct the line by erasing it with an eraser.
We apply the outline from the back side so that finished product no remnants of the lines were visible. The internal area can be shaded so as not to cut off excess and to mark untouchable areas.
It is important to transfer the design in such a way as to minimize cutting along the grain with a jigsaw - it is so difficult to get an even line.
Sawing process technology
Many people have probably heard how to use a jigsaw. Working with the tool will not cause difficulties if you prepare for it correctly.
Plywood carving begins with the inner contours of the design. To do this, you need to make slots for inserting the tool blade:
- The plywood is often taken thin, and when cutting a large contour there will be no problems, but tension may arise in a small remainder. Sawing with a jigsaw inside can damage the product - chips, burrs, cuts;
- It’s easier to work this way: you always have something to hold the workpiece by. WITH large sheet much easier to handle than trying to hold a small sawn piece while shaping its interior.
How to saw with a jigsaw:
Working with a jigsaw is much easier than hand tools, there is no need to make physical efforts and the process goes faster.
How to saw with a jigsaw:
As you can see, there is nothing complicated in this process.
Defects in work
If you did not follow the technology or hold the tool incorrectly, the saw may simply move off the line. Why does a jigsaw cut crookedly:
- tilted the tool while working;
- the tension of the file has weakened;
- With an electric saw, the fastening of the saw may become loose.
To avoid such problems, before starting sawing, be sure to check the tension of the saw and the fastening of all working elements. If the blade is beveled and stuck, it is better to start over and make a line parallel to the defective one.
A little about safety
Safety precautions when working with a jigsaw for cutting plywood and wood are simple:
- Use protective equipment- glasses, gloves, robe. These things will protect you from dust and small chips.
- Sawing with a hand jigsaw should be done carefully so as not to damage your fingers with the saw. Maintain a distance between your body and the tool.
- If you are a beginner, carefully read the instructions on how to use a jigsaw and the main characteristics of the tool. This information will help avoid accidental injury and unit breakdown.
Wood carving with a jigsaw requires care and attention. Both your health and the integrity of the finished product depend on these qualities.
What can be made from plywood: interesting ideas and drawings
Sawing wood with a jigsaw or hand tools is a creative process. You can create many decorative items different directions:
Drawings of plywood crafts do not have to be made in exact dimensions. Even taking an example from the Internet and changing its proportions, you will get a unique product that no one else has in this form.
DIY plywood crafts can be painted or left in a natural color; you can glue buttons, beads, ribbons and other decor onto them to liven up the product. To do this, it is worth involving children in the work; their imagination is a bottomless well of interesting ideas.
We offer you diagrams with photos for cutting out of plywood with a jigsaw.
You can come up with your own idea of what you can cut using a hand or electric tool, make your own sketch and transfer it to paper, then to a piece of wood or plywood.
Carving plywood with a jigsaw requires certain knowledge and skills. If you don't have them, consider the following rules:
