Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

PRODUCT REVIEW: I used this to cut plastic rings (7 1/2" outside diameter, 6" inside diameter) out of 3/4" thick, heavy kitchen cutting boards to be used as surrounds for marine speakers. This required two cuts which sounds easy but I wish I had this advice in retrospect. Before I begin with the advice, let me say this circle cutter is EXCELLENT! It's HEAVY DUTY, SHARP, but does make an ungodly whirlwind of shavings from whatever your cutting so lay a big plastic tarp down before you start your first cut and be sure to limit your drill press to no more than 500 RPM. Now the cutting advice. IMPORTANT CUTTING TIPS: First, consider the width of the blade. When you're cutting OUTSIDE a circle-shaped line be sure to ADD the blade width to the width of this cutter. When you're cutting INSIDE a circle-shaped line, be sure to SUBTRACT the width of the blade from the circle you want to cut. If you forget this or do this backwards then your circle will be 1/4" larger (or smaller) than you intended. Second, select your cutting method and consider carefully whether your cutting RINGS or CIRCLES. You'll be able to cut a perfect RING with this tool but if you're cutting CIRCLES you'll have to choose between having small holes in the middle of your work product or a slight lip on the outside edge of your circle. WHY DO I NEED TO CHOOSE - I JUST WANT TO CUT A SIMPLE CIRCLE?! The reason you cannot have a perfect circle cut is because it's impossible to secure both the INSIDE and the OUTSIDE of a circle at the same time using this type of tool and a drill press. If you just secure a work piece from outside the circle and try to cut all the way through you will find your circle breaks from the work product when you are just about through to the other side and the circle will SPIN WITH THE DRILL blade. You'll also have a GIANT LIP on the outer edge of your work product and you'll be scratching your head trying to figure out what went wrong. So select from one of these methods (I prefer method B for circles and you MUST use method B when cutting rings): CIRCLES: Method A: Secure your work product from OUTSIDE the circle and simply cut 1/2 way through one side, flip it, then cut 1/2 way through the other side. PROS: Easiest method to use, will not leave holes in your finished circle CONS: This will result in a small but distinct "seam" in the middle of your work product. Your outer edge will also be slightly rounded. It's simply impossible to perfectly match your cuts after you flip your work piece so your seam size will vary. Method B: Drill 3 screws through the center of your work product (spaced in a small triangle pattern) and into a piece of wood about 1/2 inch thick (secure your work piece from OUTSIDE the circle too). Begin slowly cutting the outer ring and cut ALL THE WAY THOUGH the work product until you're into the underlying wood. PROS: You'll have a nice, clean, flat outer edge on your circle CONS: You'll have 3 small screw holes in the center of your circle that you'll need to fill. WARNING: Don't forget to back what your cutting with a 1/2" piece of wood and make sure your 3 screws go all the way THROUGH the work product into the wood behind it securely. RINGS: Cutting Rings is the same as circles, but you *MUST* use method B. Also be sure to cut the OUTER ring first and then progress to the smaller INNER ring or you'll have to scrap it and start with a new piece. PROS: Perfect rings, both inner and outer edges CONS: <None> Hope those tips are helpful to someone...