What was I thinking...or wasn't I

[smorris]

I was getting ready to start cutting out the tabletop from a rough cut into a nice 48" circle on the bandsaw. Grabbed that blank which is 1.5" mahogany and started horsing it onto the jig with my arms at full span across it. First my back started to scream then something on the top of my left shoulder let go. Never did get it cut but it is sitting there waiting for the pain to go away in my left shoulder. Definitely suffering range of motion issues right now.

Tried to hide it from LOML but she tripped to the fact I wasn't working right pretty quick. She is a stern nurse...I took 800 mg of ibuprofen this afternoon but think I'm going to go grab one of the stronger stuff the doc gave me for my back so I can sleep tonight.

If it is big and heavy, get help even if it means you have to suspend what you are working on. Lesson relearned.

[Richard in Smithville]

Yep, I feel your pain. Last week they gave me 500mg of naproxen and 10 mg of cyclobenzaphine. You take one of each and don't bother calling anyone in the morning.

[crokett]

I thought this was going to turn into you losing a finger or something. I'm glad there was no blood. If it doesn't et better in a day or two I would go see a doctor.

[pacwind3]

Hmm, think I would have used a circle cutting jig on a router.
Get well soon: glad of no blood as well.

[leehljp]

I picked up a slab like that once, arms and hands across it like you described, moved it around my garage. I am still paying for it today - in my lower back. I am careful about what I pick up and the way I pick it up now.

Listen to your wife!

[cabinetman]

Large heavy circles like that are much easier to cut on the table saw.
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[germdoc]

Large heavy circles like that are much easier to cut on the table saw.
.

??

Oh, I found this, which explains it:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wxbzrf4z_cg

That guy's fingers look dangerously close to the blade if you ask me.

When I did a big tabletop 2 years ago I used my jigsaw (with a good blade) and cleaned it up with a belt sander. It's easier to bring the saw (or router) to the wood if it's big than the other way around.

Good luck with that injury--hope you didn't tear anything important!

[bruce hylton]

I prefer a skil saw or radial arm saw for precision work. But then I tend to be lazy.

[cabinetman]

??

Oh, I found this, which explains it:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wxbzrf4z_cg

That guy's fingers look dangerously close to the blade if you ask me.

When I did a big tabletop 2 years ago I used my jigsaw (with a good blade) and cleaned it up with a belt sander. It's easier to bring the saw (or router) to the wood if it's big than the other way around.

Good luck with that injury--hope you didn't tear anything important!

Cutting a circle on the TS allows the top to be fully supported. I don't use that guys' technique. Circles on any table saw is an easy procedure. Use a substrate (3/4" thick) and slightly smaller than the desired top that will be cut. First, drill a hole in the center of the substrate to tap in a finishing nail like a #6. Allow it to protrude the substrate at least 75-80% the thickness of the top to be cut. Mount it to the table saw so the nail is in line with the center of the blade, and to a distance of the dimension of the radius wanted.

Drill corresponding hole on the underside of the proposed top to accommodate the nail. The top can be left square. Place top on the nail. With the blade down, gently turn the top to make sure it turns smoothly. With the blade down turn on the saw and raise the blade so it penetrates the underside by about 1/8". Slowly turn the top to make a complete revolution. While the blade is still running, raise it another 1/8" and repeat. Keep doing this until the top is completely cut through.

Tip: To have fall off corners, cut the top as a square very close to the circle diameter desired. That way, the final pass around the blade you have 4 pieces that will fall and not get in the way.

This method also works on a band saw, but you start with a square the size of the diameter, and make one pass around.
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[smorris]

This method also works on a band saw, but you start with a square the size of the diameter, and make one pass around.

What you describe is exactly what I was doing on the bandsaw, or preparing to anyway. My shoulder is still pretty sore so it may be a few days before I get back to this. I did add some teflon tape to the substrate I will be turning on to make it go a bit easier i hope.

Cutting a circle on the table saw thing sounds difficult in this case as I'd have to crawl under the whole setup to adjust the blade every revolution.