True center

[Ron Altier]

 You have cut a round piece of stock on the table saw and you don't want to change the chuck jaws on your lathe to fit the piece (if it would fit) and you want to find dead center.

  1. How do you determine dead center?

  2. How do you accurately mark center?

  3. Is there a device that will do all the above in one easy step? 

 

 

[Gene Howe]

Here ya go, Ron.

 

[Ron Altier]

I was thinking more about round stock for turning. A device that you place on the end of a dowel or round piece to turn, and tap it to mark center. I searched Youtube and found the ideal home made center finder.  I was thinking there has to be a commercial device available, but I think I'll make one like I saw tomorrow. 

Thanks, I like that solution for larger circles.

[lew]

 

From Woodcraft works on round and square stock. Mark with a knife for accuracy

 

https://www.woodcraft.com/products/zero-zero-center-finder

Edited August 31, 2018 by lew

[Cal]

8 hours ago, Ron Altier said:

I was thinking there has to be a commercial device available, but I think I'll make one like I saw tomorrow. 

Ron, just like that - you are telling us of a new skill set that you have?  And you are not sharing lottery numbers with us, your bestest buds?

 

At first I thought it should ought to read "I'll make one like I will see tomorrow"...

but then I thought if I actually knew it yesterday then maybe "like I saw tomorrow" would be correct...

and then I thought I will just go fix another cup of coffee and try to shake these cobwebs out of my head...

 

Looking forward to the project Ron, whenever you seen it & whenever you build it!

[Gene Howe]

9 hours ago, Ron Altier said:

I was thinking more about rounud stock for turning. A device that you place on the end of a dowel or round piece to turn, and tap it to mark center. I searched Youtube and found the ideal home made center finder.  I was thinking there has to be a commercial device available, but I think I'll make one like I saw tomorrow. 

Thanks, I like that solution for larger circles.

See, there's a different thought process among us flat work only guys.  luckily, Lew goes both ways.

Edited August 31, 2018 by Gene Howe

[Ron Altier]

Problem solved, home made center finder.  No calculations, pencils, just a tap on top. Works just fine.

[Gene Howe]

Ingenious!

[lew]

Cool!

[Gerald]

I Tried the homemade and it just did not make the good mark. I use the one Lew posted, but there is another way.