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BETTESWORTHConstruction
circle cutting

How to Cut a Circle with a Jigsaw: A Step-by-Step Guide

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For a controlled, repeatable circle, use a circle-cutting guide that is compatible with your jigsaw: anchor its pivot at the circle’s center, set the blade-to-pivot distance to the required radius, account for the blade’s kerf, switch orbital action off, and feed the saw slowly. For a one-off cut, you can follow a drawn outline from a blade-entry hole, but that approach depends more on careful steering.

Choose a method for the cut

Method Radius control Best suited to Key limitation
Compatible pivot guide The fixed pivot sets the radius. Repeat cuts or a circle where consistent radius matters. The guide must fit your saw and suit the circle size.
Drawn outline and blade-entry hole You steer the saw along the marked line. A one-off circle when a compatible guide is unavailable. It is harder to maintain a consistent curve by hand.

Neither method guarantees a particular tolerance. Your saw, blade, material, stock thickness, and required edge finish all affect the result.

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Cut a circle with a pivot guide

1. Check the guide and plan the radius

Confirm in your jigsaw manual that the guide is compatible and that the saw foot can accept it. A circle-cutting accessory uses a bar or similar guide and a center pin to hold a fixed radius. Bosch’s JA1010 accessory, for example, includes a pivot pin, but that does not establish that it fits every jigsaw.

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Measure the circle’s radius from its center to the intended cut edge. Bosch’s JS572 instructions give a 5-inch to 16½-inch diameter range for the described guide arrangement; that range is specific to that setup, not a universal limit for jigsaws or other guides.

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2. Mark and prepare the center

Mark the circle’s center on the workpiece. For the setup described in Bosch’s JS572 instructions, drill a 3/16-inch (5 mm) hole, 7/8 inch (23 mm) deep, for the center pin. Those dimensions apply to that guide arrangement; follow your own accessory’s instructions if they differ.

3. Set the guide and account for blade kerf

Fit the guide bar through the saw foot and clamp, place the center pin in the prepared hole, and set the blade-to-pivot distance. The blade removes a strip of material, called the kerf, so place the blade on the correct side of your layout line:

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  • [4 ORBITAL SETTINGS] Jigsaw with 4-position orbital settings allow for smooth cutting for a variety of applications. The higher orbital setting is suitable for softer materials and faster cutting; lower for harder materials and slower cutting.
  • [PRECISE CUTTING] A vacuum hose(not included) can be attached directly to the dust port adapter to give you a clear view of the workpiece being sawed so you can easily follow the cut line. The parallel guide enables you to saw parallel cuts.
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  • For a hole: keep the cut inside the intended radius so the opening does not become oversized.
  • For a disc or wheel: keep the cut outside the intended radius so the finished piece does not become undersized.

Secure the guide’s clamps before cutting. If the accessory’s instructions explain how to set the radius relative to the blade, use that method rather than assuming the pivot-to-blade measurement alone accounts for kerf.

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4. Set the saw and secure the work

Switch orbital or pendulum action off. Bosch’s JS572 manual states, “Make sure that the jig saw’s orbital setting is at 0 (zero).” Bosch DIY also advises switching pendulum action off for its circle-cutting method. Choose a blade suitable for your saw and material; Bosch recommends a thick blade where possible for this operation, but the right blade still depends on the material and its thickness. Its T101TP and T144DP blades are manufacturer examples, not universal recommendations.

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Clamp the workpiece securely and leave the cutting path clear. Follow the safety, blade-fitting, and setup instructions for your own jigsaw.

5. Make the cut slowly

Start the saw as directed by its manual and guide it around the pivot without forcing it. A slow, steady feed helps the blade stay straighter through the curve. If the saw binds, wanders, or the workpiece shifts, stop and correct the setup rather than pushing through.

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Cut a one-off circle from a drawn outline

  1. Mark the center and draw the circle at the required radius.
  2. Drill a blade-entry hole at the inner edge of the cutting line, large enough for the blade to pass through without crossing the finished edge.
  3. Clamp the workpiece and switch orbital or pendulum action off.
  4. Insert the blade through the entry hole, then steer slowly along the line. Keep the blade on the correct side of the line for a hole or disc, allowing for kerf.

This method is simple, but there is no fixed pivot controlling the curve. For a repeatable radius, use a compatible guide instead.

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Account for edge quality and thick stock

A circle can look accurate from above while the cut is not square through the full thickness. Bosch warns that handheld jigsaws can go out of square under some conditions, particularly a concern when cutting thick stock. If the edge must be square or especially clean, verify the cut through the material and choose a suitable blade and process for the stock; a perfect-looking top outline alone is not proof of a square edge.

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The available manufacturer instructions do not establish a universal accuracy tolerance or identify one best blade for every wood, sheet good, plastic, or metal. Match the setup to your material, thickness, circle size, and finish requirements.

Quick Recap

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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

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