DIY Wooden Table: Router or Jigsaw for Hole?

Biff_Tannen

Just about finished with my first table for a medium egg minus the hole and wood stain. My dilemma right now is that I don't have a jigsaw OR a router. I have heard that router is way more accurate but sadly neither Home Depot or Lowe's rent those, but they do rent Jigsaw's. I don't want to rush the project but it has occupied my entire garage for the past week so do want to finished it soon so I can start parking in there again!

What is everyone's experience with cutting the hole as well as staining the wood? Did y'all sand before staining? How long does it typically take to dry? Did you use a router or jig? Just looking for some insight so I can have this baby ready to go for the weekend! Here is a pic of the table from when I was working on it last week. It's pretty much finished now with the wheels and everything on. Just need to stain and cut a hole.

DaveRichardson

Jigsaw will work, bit might wind up a bit ratty if you don't go slow.  Router, depending on thickness of the top, might take several passes to get thru the thickness of the material. 

If it were up to me, I'd go router.  Build a little circle cutting rig out of 1/4 ply (use the google) and go about 1/4 inch deep with each pass.

This way sanding will be much easier and you can round the edges a little as well. 

surely you know someone that has a router sitting unopened in a box sitting in their garage.....  If not, look for a cheapo one at Harbor Freight or Big Lots....

Stain - go a couple of coats with a light sanding in between each coating.  Spar poly for the top, again a couple of coats......

Biff_Tannen

DaveRichardson said:

Jigsaw will work, bit might wind up a bit ratty if you don't go slow.  Router, depending on thickness of the top, might take several passes to get thru the thickness of the material. 

If it were up to me, I'd go router.  Build a little circle cutting rig out of 1/4 ply (use the google) and go about 1/4 inch deep with each pass.

This way sanding will be much easier and you can round the edges a little as well. 

surely you know someone that has a router sitting unopened in a box sitting in their garage.....  If not, look for a cheapo one at Harbor Freight or Big Lots....

Stain - go a couple of coats with a light sanding in between each coating.  Spar poly for the top, again a couple of coats......

Thanks. Do you know how long it typically take a single coat to dry? Gonna do my best to find a router and do it that way. If I can't find one I'll just sack up and get a cheapo. 

DaveRichardson

Stain - maybe 45 minutes to an hour.  By the time you finish coating the table, itll be time to start again....  As far as the poly goes, follow the label like your life depended on it!!!

I have refinished my handle since my egg is outside in direct sunlight all day long and it was getting rough....  Sanded, stained with 3 coats, than I used the Spar shaker can since it was going to be a small job.  Handle feels like glass now!

TexanOfTheNorth

I used a jigsaw. Not sure how you'd make circular jig out of plywood... with a router or a jigsaw?

BigGreenGator

Here is a circle made with a jigsaw definitely not perfect but once I was done I used a round over bit and sanded I agree with @daverichardson use a router if u want an exact circl

DaveRichardson

@texanofthenorth...  That's why I recommended he use google....  

https://youtu.be/UzRYd77-mnM
https://youtu.be/q0plsAARgMA 

DoubleEgger

Go to a pawn shop and picked up a used router. Or check CL. Or buy a cheapie at Harbor Freight. You will not be happy with a jigsaw cut hole. Do it once, do it right. 

TexanOfTheNorth

DaveRichardson said:

@texanofthenorth...  That's why I recommended he use google....  

https://youtu.be/UzRYd77-mnM
https://youtu.be/q0plsAARgMA 

The girl makes it look so easy! 

I'm guessing Biff doesn't have the table saw and drill press though.

Biff_Tannen

BigGreenGator said:

Here is a circle made with a jigsaw definitely not perfect but once I was done I used a round over bit and sanded I agree with @daverichardson use a router if u want an exact circl

That looks pretty solid. Was is hard to stay steady with the jig? My boards have a little bit of space between them so I hope that wouldn't be an issue. 

AlbertaEgger

I have done 3 with a Jigsaw, they all turned out good, just stay on your line, small amount of sanding needed after.

BigGreenGator

@Biff_Tannen its very easy to do with a jigsaw if you've used one in the past and understand how to maneuver it as you go ... Make sure you draw a very dark line as the Line will be hard to see as you go (shadows, saw dust , where you have to stand ) all play a roll in seeing the line ... Make sure you use a brand new cut / rip Blade for wood ... I know some here will say use a fine tooth for finish but you are cutting 3/4 or 1" pressure treated materials use the cut / rip blade ... If you can either have some one fan the saw dust away as you cut or use a box fan to clear your cut path & line ... You said your boards have a space in-between them be carful here and slow down from the transition to the next piece most likely they won't be on plane with each other so you may have to lift the jigsaw blade up slightly or lower it to get to the next piece ... Another thing make sure the jig saw base is flat and at 0 deg. And always make sure the jigsaw base is flat to the surface  ... You'll be fine just don't be in a hurry 

Biff_Tannen

BigGreenGator said:

@Biff_Tannen its very easy to do with a jigsaw if you've used one in the past and understand how to maneuver it as you go ... Make sure you draw a very dark line as the Line will be hard to see as you go (shadows, saw dust , where you have to stand ) all play a roll in seeing the line ... Make sure you use a brand new cut / rip Blade for wood ... I know some here will say use a fine tooth for finish but you are cutting 3/4 or 1" pressure treated materials use the cut / rip blade ... If you can either have some one fan the saw dust away as you cut or use a box fan to clear your cut path & line ... You said your boards have a space in-between them be carful here and slow down from the transition to the next piece most likely they won't be on plane with each other so you may have to lift the jigsaw blade up slightly or lower it to get to the next piece ... Another thing make sure the jig saw base is flat and at 0 deg. And always make sure the jigsaw base is flat to the surface  ... You'll be fine just don't be in a hurry 

Right on. Thanks for the advice man. Gonna rent one today on my way home from work and get this thing rolling slowly and carefully. Once the hole is cut then I'm gonna add a couple coats of stain and should be good to go by the weekend. Will post follow up pics of the finished product. Now I just have to decide what the first cook is going to be on the new table.......

HeavyG

You can mount a ligsaw to a circle cutting jig. Some jigsaws already have attachment points for such a gizmo. Similar to this: http://www.amazon.com/Festool-490118-Circle-Attachment-Jigsaws/dp/B000LKQOZE/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1434393757&sr=8-2&keywords=jigsaw+circle+jig

You can also mount a jigsaw right to a piece of plywood that can be used as a circle cutting guide like this: http://www.wwgoa.com/content/uploads/2015/01/circle-template.jpg