Probably the easiest way to draw an oval is to use a FREE program like paint.net, click on the bottom left of the tool bar (ellipse) then click on a start point and drag the mouse until you're happy with the dimensions. Print it out and stick it on the material for the template or place carbon between it and the material and draw around it. In order to calculate the size of the drawing, decide what size template guide and bit you intend to use and suppose you want the mirror oval to be 7.5" x 4" then:
guide dia. - bit dia. + size of opening for mirror = size of cut-out in the template. Now, if we select a 0.75" guide and a 0.25" bit we have: 0.75"-0.25"+7.5"=8" for the major axis and 0.75"-0.25"+4"=4.5" for the minor axis. So, in this example manipulate the oval to be 8" x 4.5".
If not clear, don't be shy to keep asking questions. No doubt other members will show you other methods so that you will be in a position to choose which one suits you best.

 

I think what your asking about is some thing like the Rockler jig, if you watch their video you may get some ideas and in theory make your own or simply buy theirs or one of the other ones out there.


The Rockler Ellipse and Circle Jig - YouTube

Have fun !

 

Rockler jig.

I think what your asking about is some thing like the Rockler jig, if you watch their video you may get some ideas and in theory make your own or simply buy theirs or one of the other ones out there.


The Rockler Ellipse and Circle Jig - YouTube

Have fun !

I agree Richard, however, the Rockler jig may not make an ellipse small enough.

Although, Bobj3 has modified his to make smaller ellipses.

The Rockler jig, however, WILL make an oval template that you may use to make as small a template as you require.

 

Welcome aboard.

I won't even try to tell you how I'd probably make a jig for that, if I wanted to make one - I don't. Ah, what the Hell, why not?

I'm thinking I'd use a compass and draw a circle on wood, the width of the oval you want. Even better, if you have a hole saw that size. But, draw the circle, then move the compass up, and later down, to elongate the oval to the size you want - you could use the same size circle, or smaller. Draw those two circles. Then sketch the sides to complete the oval. I'm thinking if I had circle saws the appropriate size I'd cut the two ends first, then the center, then use a sabre saw to take off the odd bits left, then sand smooth. I'd use 1/2" plywood for this, scrap is preferred, no sense in wasting new plywood. Then I'd glue that to another piece of 1/2" plywood. When the glue is dry, then I'd drill a 1/2" hole or so inside, rough cut it out, then use a pattern bit in my table mounted router to rout it to match the finished part. Then when I wanted to make an oval, I'd tack the master down to my wood, after marking the oval with pencil, then rough cutting it out, and routing it. That's similar to how I do a lot of the things I do. Works for me, not necessarily for you. :moil:

 

Jig to make oval frame.
MLCS Woodworking Daisy Pin-Router Demo - YouTube

Method homemade.
Kopien fräsen mit Stift und Verstand! - YouTube

 

Wow ,all your information was very interesting.
Sorry if I am confused and I have not made myself clear or I am so confused that I don't no what I am doing now LOL.
I have just a router and making a oval in paper is good and I will have to do this in word .
I think I will then cut the Oval shape out with my scroll saw and then run the router around the inside of the Oval shape that I have cut out .
Then I will have a Oval track that is left and that will leave the lip for the mirror to sit flat to and then I could turn it over and scroll saw the pattern out from the other side.
Do you think that will work or will it cause me problems ?

 

I think I will then cut the Oval shape out with my scroll saw and then run the router around the inside of the Oval shape that I have cut out .

I would use the scrollsaw to cut the oval either in a template (if doing more than one frame) or in the piece of wood. Refine the shape with sanding, either by hand or a spindle sander.

Use a rabbetting bit to cut the recess for the mirror.

If you have the mirror already, and want to inlay it perfectly, you can use an inlay kit. There is a router workshop episode for inlaying a tile into wood, I will have to see if I can find it later today.

 

I was just ask to make an oval 16 inch by 24 inch I got a piece big enough and drew centerline both ways . And got a set of trammel points . And took half the short dimension of 8 for the radius both ends of both 24 . Then I for the sides I took put the trammel at one side of 16 and arched over to the other side . And the 2 arches came real close to meet . And it looked good to me and they were happy with it . Gene

 

I now can give a size of the hand mirror I have to router a oval recess and in cm it is 8 cm wide and 12 cm in length for the Oval to be cut .
Thank you all for your time and information and like I say I don't no a lot and your views are all appreciated .
Thank you so much.

 

Ellipse Jig

Vince, if it's any help here's a little ellipse jig I made from scrap material. I don't cut many ellipses so just leave it attached to an old router that I thought I'd finished with. It works well.