How to Cut Wooden Circles Without a Center Hole
A drill press circle cutter makes it easy to cut round wooden discs for coasters, decorative accents, and other woodworking projects. But there's one drawback: The center pilot bit leaves a hole in the finished workpiece.
If you need a clean wooden circle without a hole in the center, there's a simple solution. By attaching a small scrap block to the workpiece, you can guide the circle cutter without drilling into the finished disc.
Best of all, the same scrap block can be reused to cut multiple circles.
Adjust the Circle Cutter's Pilot Bit
The first step is to adjust the center pilot bit on the circle cutter.
Normally, the pilot bit extends below the cutting blade to keep the cutter centered as it rotates. For this technique, you'll raise the pilot bit so it enters a temporary scrap block instead of the finished workpiece.
Set the pilot bit so its tip is higher than the bottom of the cutting blade by the thickness of the workpiece plus 1/8".
This adjustment allows the cutting blade to pass completely through the workpiece without the pilot bit reaching its surface.
Add a Scrap Block to Guide the Cutter
Next, cut a small scrap block that's at least as thick as the workpiece.
The block should also be small enough to fit entirely within the circle you're cutting. Its diagonal dimension must be less than the finished circle's diameter.
Position the block at the center of the circle and attach it to the workpiece with double-sided tape.
The scrap block provides a temporary surface for the pilot bit to engage, keeping the circle cutter centered without leaving a hole in the finished disc.
Cut the Wooden Circle at the Drill Press
With the scrap block in place, position the workpiece on the drill press table and clamp it securely.
The workpiece must remain stationary throughout the cut. Use a backing board and appropriate hold-downs, and make sure the cutter has clearance to pass through the workpiece.
Set the drill press to a suitably low speed for the circle cutter's diameter, following the cutter manufacturer's recommendations.
Lower the cutter carefully, allowing the pilot bit to engage the scrap block while the cutting blade removes material around the outside.
Use a slow, controlled feed and avoid forcing the cutter through the wood. Stop the drill press before checking the cut or removing the workpiece.
Once the cut is complete, you'll have a round wooden disc without a center hole.
Remove the Scrap Block and Repeat
After cutting the circle, remove the scrap block from the finished disc.
Since the pilot bit only drilled into the temporary block, the surface of the wooden disc remains intact.
The same block can be reused to make additional circles, making this technique especially handy when producing several identical parts.
A Simple Trick for Cleaner Wooden Discs
Whether you're making wooden coasters, decorative accents, or round components for a larger project, this drill press technique eliminates the unwanted center hole left by a conventional circle cutter.
With a small scrap block, double-sided tape, and a simple adjustment to the pilot bit, you can make clean wooden circles without damaging the finished surface.
It's a clever way to get more versatility from a drill press circle cutter while keeping your woodworking projects looking their best.
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