How to cut a circle in timber or board

If you are really a DIY addict, one of these days you're going to have to cut out a perfect circle in timber and board. It's not that difficult and here's a quick and easy trick that I learn't to do the job in a jiffy!

 

Hammer a panel pin at the approximate centre point of the board. Cut a length of chain to half the size of the circle. EG. If you need a circle that is 300mm in diameter the length of chain should be 150mm long. Pop one end of the chain over the panel pin and insert the tip of a sharp pencil at the other end of the chain. Pull tight so that the chain is fully extended and slowly rotate around the pin to draw a circle.

You can use this method to create a full circle, a circle within a circle, or a half-circle. Once finished, remove the panel pin and pop some wood filler into the hole. Sand smooth once dry.

Sanding Tip:

When sanding more than one circle (or other shape for that matter), it helps to clamp them all together and sand all at once, rather than individually.