Tool to cut circles

I have used a plastic circle templete with a scalpel.  The blade is so narrow it makes the job easier. 

For small circles I have used one of those hand punches with a rotating wheel of sizes.  For cutting masking tape I back up the anvil with a softer material, like a few layers of masking tape.  That backup material needs to be replaced often.

The Shadowhobby cutter is the best circle cutter I have used, but setting an exact diameter requires trial and error, since there is no center pin to gauge from.  There are tick marks, but when you get to really small circles, it's hard to judge.

And since it does not leave a hole in the center, you can use it to cut decals as well.  Thin sheet plastic too.

But it is expensive.  For casual or new modelers it is rather spendy.  An Olfa circle cutter should do the trick for simple jobs.

I've tried nearly every circle cutter on the market but the best tool ever for cutting perfect big and small circles in paper and masking tape is the tool mentioned by the Baron, the tool sold by Shadowhobby.  I've had mine for a little over a year and if you want perfect circles, this is the one to get.  Its a bit expensive, but it is truly a precision instrument, mine cost $50, but it can't be beat if you want repeatable perfect circles.

Thanks for the replies and advice, gentlemen. I've tried using a plastic circle template but it didn't really work well. I'm going to find a metal one. Like others have said, this may work better especially for smaller diameters such as wheel hubs, etc...Again, thanks for all the replies-main reason I enjoy this forum. 

It's handy to have a aluminum or stainless steel circle template.

For really little circles, put Tamiya tape on a thin piece of styrene and cut it out with your punch set.

Bill

Chemteacher

Forgive this novice question but do they make a tool that allows you to cut perfect circles in paper or masking tape to make masks.  I know I've read somewhere that such a tool is available.  I just haven't been able to find the name or place to purchase. I imagine it would be like a compass but with a cutting blade instead of the pencil. Thanks in advance for any help.  

Good question!

One of the guys in our club got the Thinnerline circle cutter, from Shadowhobby:

http://shadowhobby.com/tlcc-000-thinnerline-circle-cutter.html

and he demonstrated it at a meeting.  It worked well and was relatively easy to use.  I haven't gotten this yet, but it's on my wish list.

https://excelblades.com/products/dualflexcutter?_pos=1&_sid=70337707c&_ss=r

It sounds like you are thinking of something like this.  I have one and am not really impressed.  The result is far from "perfect".

This is meant as a genuinely friendly question...not a criticism...but why don't you just do a browser search for 'circle cutter'?

There are numerous types/methods to choose from...a primary important distinction being the smallest and/or largest diameters you will need to cut.

For my own purposes...since I have a background in drafting (and the accumulated tools therefrom)...I've always just used common circle-drawing templates in both English and Metric sizes, and a #11 blade. Once you get the hang of letting the blade sort of swivel as you go round the circle, it's easy, fast, and very accurate.

I have also used the 'compass' style adjustable cutters, but for me they offer no particular advantage until you get into fairly large circle sizes. And they are often somewhat awkward for doing the smallest sizes used for, say, masking for centers on British roundels.

Just my . Cheers

https://www.draftingsuppliesdew.com/alvin-nb-needle-blade-compass-cutting-edge

https://midoco.ca/products/olfa-compass-circle-cutter

Would you be thinking of a circle template with all the different size holes? Staples or any office supply store would have it.Probably would need a good sharp #11 X-acto blade also.