Frank, I try to cut all the circles outside the cut line and then clean them up on a disc sander. Then it's just a matter of gluing them together. The actually bottom piece I did a router cut on the outer edge and bored a hole through it using a Forstner bit. The piece on top of it was a plain piece that was similar to the top piece but I cut a hole in it to accommodate the diameter of the candle. The actual top piece has a hole a bit bigger. It was supposed to be for a but vase but I have no idea where you'd buy bud vases that size and height. Anyway, I like the candles better.