How to Round a Square Peg With a Table Saw

Rounding a square peg on a table saw can be done in just a few minutes by making consecutive passes. This is sometimes done on fine furniture when certain custom sizes of parts are not available. The only required change to your saw is the addition of a small wooden fence that allows the blade to be tilted at an angle to penetrate the fence slightly. You can cut any square length of wood into a cylinder or round shape.

Instructions

1

Screw the plywood to the table saw fence; there are holes in the fence for this purpose. Insert the screws through the back of the fence and use the screwgun to screw the plywood to the fence from the back.

2

Lower the blade on the table saw all the way. Slide the fence over to 1/2 inch of the blade. Tilt the blade to 45 degrees. Turn on the saw and raise the blade by turning it 1/4 turn at a time until the end of the blade cuts into the plywood.

3

Lay the square peg behind the saw blade. Push the peg over the blade, using the plywood for the fence. Revolve the peg 1/4 turn at a time and run each side over the blade to cut off the corners.

4

Lower the blade all the way. Tilt the blade to 30 degrees. Move the fence to the right 1/4 inch. Turn on the saw and raise the blade to just penetrate the plywood as before.

5

Run the peg over the saw blade again to cut all sides off. If your peg still has flat spots, tilt the blade up 5 degrees at a time, move the fence to the right 1/8 inch at a time and continue making passes over the blade until round.