Hi everyone.

I'm relatively new woodworking and was wondering if I get can a few points to put me in the right direction.

I want to make a 2 thick round table and I was wondering what would be the best way to do that? I have a table saw and jig saw and I am thinking of getting a router.

Would the router be the best way to go about it for good straight perpendicular cut? it would require a lot of passes right? and since it is 2" thick are there any 2" cutting length bits? or should i just flip the table and route from the other side?

Thanks,

Steve

Is there any way you can make your table top by gluing together layers of plywood (furniture grade for the top layer at least). That way, you could cut each layer round with your jig saw, glue them together, and then sand the edge of the assembly smooth with a belt sander? That way, it's round, smooth on it's edge and thick as a brick.

I think you'd have trouble finding a router bit long enough to do that cut with a router. And, I've never made a cut that deep with my router or laminate trimmer, but I expect you're going to run into problems doing it. You're going to need at least a 3 inch long bit to make the cut with a router, and I can see you breaking a few bits trying to make a cut like that, so you may need several of them. (getting a broken piece of 1/4 inch bit out of that slot might also prove to be a learning experience) I'd say that a safer way would be to make the top out of thinner layers of plywood.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Nestor,

first, Im going to assume you are going to make it from built up plywood. Yes, a router is the way to go Find the center of the circle then draw the circle. with yor jig saw cut away the waste material close , but not on the line. Make or buy a circle cutting jig and mount your router to it. hopefully you will have bought a plunge router that has the capabilities to handle a 1/2 inch shank bit. Dont try to cut the 2 inchs at one time, instead with the router mounted to the jig and the jig mounted to the table, route COUNTER CLOCKWISE around the table taking a shallow cut, then suceeding shallow cuts until you finish. your cut should be smooth but give it a light sanding and finish the edge with a veneer tape that you can get from www.woodcraft.com or www.rockler.com
The veneer will apply with a hot iron as the glue is already on it
All in all, it's a pretty easy job
You can also reduce the weight of the table by just making the top 1 sheet and the rest from rings of plywood around the edge
Ther are other ways to do this but considering that you are a novice, this is the easiest way. Just work slow and safely
you can get a 2 inch bit from www.rockler.com part # 90583 cost = $19
and a circle cutting jig part # 40982 cost $40, but as I said before, you are going to need a plunge router that will accomodate a 1/2 inch shank bit
and

This message has been edited. Last edited by: nona,

Nona & Nestor

Thanks for the replies.

I was thinking about making it out of solid wood. Cutting 2" thick by 3" wide strips and gluing them together. I guess with the router out of the question I would have to cut the circle out with a jig saw and sand it flat and smooth.

It seems like a high quality plywood with veneer banding is a good alternative. For this I guess what I am most concerned about is making a consistent and perfect perpendicular cut so that when sanded and applying the veneer I won't get any crackling when running my hand over it due to uneven edge.

Steve

a router is not out of the question as long as you get one that can handle a 1/2 inch shank bit. If you're going to build it up of solid wood be prepared to deal with the end grain, that is unless you plan on glueing it in segments
Lots of luck, post a photo and how you made it when it's finished

Best way to go would be a router with a circle cutting jig, they are easy to make.

I use 1/2 inch dia solid carbide bit in plunge router to make round tables from two inch thick solid oak. Looks a whole lot better than plywood.