halteh

Greetings all,
This is my first time here, so I'm a bit of a newbie and I've also never used a router before- however i am interested in building a poker table....well actually a second poker table. I built one already (you can check it out at: http://webmail.imeix.com/ebayt/p3.JPG). I did the first table by using a skill saw/jig saw to cut the wooden racetrack that holds the cup holders. This worked decently, however it is hard to keep a steady hand for a full cut of 3/4' thick wood around the whole 4x8 sheet of wood. So i've been investigating alternative methods to make the cut when I found this here: http://www.uniquemensgifts.com/shop/build.php

I was just wondering if anyone here knew what that device used to maintain a perfect circular cut on the router is. Anyone know where I can get one? does it come with the router? what kind of router is it? Also was thinking about cutting out spots for the chips like this: http://www.uniquemensgifts.com/images/Chip_ring.JPG

Is this a difficult cut for a newbie? what kinda router bit would I need?

Any help is greatly appreciated,
many thanks

--Fares

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Bob

Welcome to our little corner of the world and the world of routing also. Please post often and enjoy the many friendships that develop here. This is a fun and fantastic place.

The item you are seeking is called a circle jig and can be obtained from our sponser, Oak-Park.com, at this link.

http://us.oak-park.com/catalogue.html?list=JIGS--

The bit you will need is the straight bit. The circle jig is not normally included with a router and needs to be purchased separately. Doing circles with the jig is not extremely difficult, but you will most likely want to practice with some scrap wood before tackling the real project.

Hope this helps and I'm sure others will add to your assistance.

__________________
Cheers,
Bob

halteh

Bob,
Thank you so much for the warm welcome and the useful information. I will be sure to check that link out and post pictures of my project when it is complete

Many thanks
--Fares

Bob

Halteh,

After re-reading your orginal post, I may not have responded 100% properly. The circle jig I referred to is for much smaller jobs than the one you linked although it is still a circle jig in nature. I believe one could almost manufacture a jig to create the same effect quite easily and inexpensively. Just vision a pivot point at dead center and an arm to guide the router.

I am not sure of the bit used to create the chip holders in your other link, but I am sure one of the other forum members can help you out in that department.

I took a peek of your 1st poker table and must say you did quite well. That is one professional looking project.

Sorry for the mix up.

__________________
Cheers,
Bob

Woodnut65

Hi, Halteh:
Welcome to the forum. Looking at the table you have built, you have done a nice job.
The table shown is more of elipse than a circle. A circle jig is nothing more than a means of anchoring a pivot to the center of a material, and running the router around the pivot by means of an arm from the pivot to the router. If you plan to use circle jigs often, I would look at the jigs from Micro Fence. WWW.Microfence.com will get you there. I have them and they work perfect. By the way the are guaranteed for life, by the manufacturer. The are pricey, but they do get the job done. You can also make a circle jig, for any router. make an extention to your router base at least half the diameter of the circle you want to make, drill one end to fit the hole pattern of your router, and fasten it to the router in place of the original sub base. The other end of the extention needs a hole for a pivot, which can be a nail or screw, and that will go into the center of the circle. A special router is not needed to do thisas long as the router has the power to cut the material being cut. The cut can also be made in more than one pass if the material is thick.
Hope this helps.. Woodnut65

Stephen

Hi Fares,

The circle jig from Microfence is very good but is a little costly. If you plan to make many cuts or the circular chip ring for the poker tables, this is the next best thing to a CNC machine to cut these (by hand) that I have found.

You will need a decent router (2+ HP) and a core box bit that is 1 5/8".

Good Luck,
Stephen
http://www.uniquemensgifts.com

reible

For the first time I actual purchased a circle cutting guide a couple of months back. I got tired of all the home made ones I had stuck together over the years, mostly single use ones out of 1/4" plywood.

After looking at several catalogs I picked this one:
www.milescraft.com/router/1203.html
This will cut larger circles.... I forgot the smallest it will do but if someone wants I will check it out.... (not listed on the page I referenced).

I noticed in the current Rockler flyer they have it on sale for $24.99.

Ed

Dewy

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Dewy
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Bob

Halteh,

I happened accross this from info on another forum I frequent. They have it on sale and I thought you may be interested.

http://www.hartvilletool.com/product/11785

Cheers

__________________
Cheers,
Bob

hcbph

I had a job come up a while back that required me to make a 5' circle and I had little time to accomplish it. I had one of those 'late night' brainstorms that let it all happen. I have a Bosch plunge router, it normally takes a fence that has 2 rods that fit though the base. I found a 4' piece of threaded rod that just slipped though one of the fence holes, 4 nuts and 2 lockwashers to fit, plus some misc washers etc. I drilled a hole big enough to handle a screw through it. I slipped a pair of nuts onto the rod plus a lockwasher then put it through the base of the router. screwed the rod (with washers below) to the center of the piece, put it through router base, another lock washer and 2 nuts. Once adjusted, I used a spiral carbide bit and did it in little cuts and I was able to do the job.