Need to cut a circle in a piece of wood, but aren’t sure how to do it? We’ve got you covered with 5 of the best tools and techniques to cut beautiful, repeatable circles.

Like so many other woodworking techniques, there are a few different ways that you can cut circles in wood.

Each method has its own advantages and disadvantages, so you’ll need to decide which one is best for your particular project.

1) Plunge Router With A Circle-Cutting Jig

If you need to cut a lot of circles, or if you need to cut them very precisely, then a router with a circle-cutting jig is probably your best bet.

There are a few different types of jigs available, but they all work essentially the same way: you attach the jig to your router, then the jig spins around a center point as you make your incremental cuts.

This is my favorite way to cut circles in wood.

Why? Because you can cut any size hole you want, and the results always come out precise and clean.

I’ve used this method to cut everything from sound holes in an acoustic guitar top to a 7 foot, 425lb. dining table top made of Beech! Don’t believe me? Here’s a photo!

That said, you will need to own a plunge router. If you don’t have one, I recommend the Bosch 1617EVSPK Plunge Router. I personally own 2 of these, and I don’t have a single bad thing to say about them!

Just be sure to secure the middle of your workpiece to your workbench using double-sided tape or hot glue. Also, be sure to clamp your workpiece to your bench as well.

Since the last pass with your router will separate the circle from the rest of the wood, you need to make sure both pieces are held securely in place.

2) Hole Saw

If you need the holes you’re cutting to be a standard size, then a hole saw is a perfect tool for the job.

For instance, if you’re making some corn hole boards, and you need to cut a 6″ hole in each of them, then a 6″ hole saw is probably your best option.

Not only are hole saws precise and repeatable, but they are fast and easy to use.

If you’re only cutting small holes with a hole saw, then a standard drill will work fine with your hole saw. However, if you’re planning to cut any holes larger than 3 to 4 inches, I do recommend purchasing a high-powered, corded drill.

The additional power you get from a corded drill will help you make cleaner cuts, and reduce the chance of your hole saw binding as you cut.

3) Jig Saw – With A Circle-Cutting Jig

A jig saw is also a great tool to use if you want to cut a circle out of wood. Like a plunge router, you can use a circle-cutting jig for precise circles, or you can freehand your cut and clean it up with a sanding block.

I prefer to use a jig saw with a circle-cutting jig for two reasons:

First, as I already mentioned, it’s more precise than freehanding. If you need to cut multiple circles that are the exact same size, using a jig is the way to go.

Second, it’s much faster. Ok, if you’re only cutting one circle, then freehanding might be faster. However, if you have to cut out a few circles, then taking the time to build a circle-cutting jig for your jig saw will actually save you time in the long-run.

Plus, if you ever need to cut more circles, you’ll have a jig ready and waiting.

4) Band Saw

If your goal is to end up with a circle of wood rather than cut a circular hole in a piece of wood, then a band saw is a great tool.

Like many of the other tools on this list, it’s best to use a circle-cutting jig if you want to be precise, but that isn’t a requirement.

If you aren’t worried about precision, you can just draw a circle and eyeball your cut all the way around.

You may need to sand the edges a bit to clean things up, but otherwise, a band saw is a great tool for cutting circles out of wood.

5) CNC Router

If you’re looking for repeatability, accuracy, and production speed, and you have a few thousand dollars to spend, then a CNC router might be right up your alley.

A CNC stands for computer numerical control, and it is basically just a computer-controlled router. You can use a CNC router to cut any shape or design you want, provided you have the correct software and bit to do it.

CNC routers come in all different shapes and sizes, so if you’re interested in purchasing one, be sure to do your research and find the model that is best suited for your specific needs.

CNCs are used in manufacturing, cabinet-making, and pretty much any production woodworking shop. However, there are quite a few options designed for hobbyists and small woodworking operations.

Circling Back

Now that you know some of the best ways to cut circles in wood, it’s time to get out there and start cutting!

Whether you need a few perfect circles for a woodworking project, or just want to have some fun with a new tool, I hope this article has given you the inspiration (and information) you needed.

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