If you caught my last project, you saw me turn a raw log into a couple of manageable half logs using my “mostly over-engineered” log sled. The problem with half logs, though, is that they still have big corners. And as any woodturner knows, corners are much easier to deal with on the bandsaw than they are at the lathe. Well, unless you’re going for a square, triangular, or otherwise not-round bowl, but anyway…

This week I decided it was time to retire my old circle jig, which was really just a “thing” made from a chunk of old shelf with some holes drilled in it. In its place, I built something a bit more substantial for my more substantial Yates J120 bandsaw.

Details on possible kits down below.

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Jig or Fixture?

I’m still debating the semantics on this one. Since the tool stays still and I’m guiding the workpiece over it, does that make it a fixture? Or is it still a jig? Either way, it works.

The Build

I used two layers of plywood for this setup: a 20×20 base and a 24×24 top. To keep things accurate, I integrated an HDPE slider for the bandsaw miter slot, and a miter bar top and bottom set that I had on hand already.

I decided to cut a corner out of the plywood to fit the miter bar and then just screw it back in place later. It felt easier than trying to cut a precise internal strip, and honestly, it worked out fine. I also added a stop strip on the front to ensure the sled stops exactly where I need it every time. I also added some magnets to this stop strip, so it holds on to the table once in place as well.

Key Features

• Miter Bar Alignment: Helps keep everything aligned when feeding the log into the blade.
• Adjustable Pivot: Using a T-nut and a thumb screw to lock in the circle diameter.
• 3D Printed Parts: I used my 3D printer to make a custom washer/spacer to account for the height difference in the 3/4″ plywood.
• Safety Stop: I drove a screw into the end of the track to act as a hard stop so I don’t accidentally run the jig into the blade.

Refinement and Hand Tool Work

I know not everyone wants to drill a hole in the center of their work piece. While you can use a shorter screw for things like table tops and probably get away with it, I also experimented with 3D-printed attachments to make some platters to use with double-sided tape. It makes for a great “no-hole” solution and acts as a nice gauge to set your distance from the blade if you want, before swapping out for a smaller platter.

Model and Kits

Since the Yates J120 isn’t exactly in every garage, I didn’t plan on selling formal plans, because spacing and alignments are going to vary from saw to saw. However, if there’s enough interest, I’m happy to put together some hardware kits with the T-nut, thumb screws, miter bar slide, and miter slot runner, and 3D printed parts.

If you are interested in a kit, visit the store page and click the “Notify Me” bar on the far right: https://shop.mosquitomade.com/products/bandsaw-circle-cutting-sled-notify

Drop a comment if you’re interested, and let me know how you handle circle cutting in your shop, or what you might add to this sled!

Anyway, thanks for checking it out!