Center Finder

[pastorpaul]

If I'm not too pooped from catching up on the lawn and garden work... along with the garage door opener battle... I hope to do a bit of turning next week.

I was about to order a center finder (or try to find the time to pick one up when I'm in St. Louis Sunday), but a friend told me that a machinist's square works just as well. I took a quick look at mine, but from what I could see in the poor lighting the ruler edge doesn't quite line up in the center.

Any thoughts on whether to get a dedicated center finder or if the machinist's square is just fine?

PP

[sdb777]

I drill holes for turning with the lathe, so I don't get a lot of options as to where I'm actually going to be putting the center at. The only thing I have to look out for is drilling out the side of the stock if I didn't put the piece in the lathe just right......and that is hard to do(put the piece in the head wrong).

Thought I needed one, until I actually learned I really don't!




Scott (unless you just need a gadget) B

[pastorpaul]

I am working with 3/4" round and need to make sure I am dead on, so I have to find that center.

PP

[Doug B]

PP, the best thing I have found for doing that is a plastic center finder - quick and easy to use and it is not too expensive.

For square stock I just draw 2 lines diagonally from corner to corner to find the center, but for round stock, these little center finders are great. Woodturningz has one at this link about half way down the page (item CENTFIND) that looks similar to the one I have. www.woodturningz.com/Tools_and_Accessories.aspx

[Ruffnek]

I do like Doug on square or rectangular stock. On round stuff, I just use a set of calipers and adjust until I locate the center...then I mark it with a pencil, sharpie, whatever.

If you are starting with a 3/4" round spindle, you will know immediately if the points are not centered on the stock when your turn on the lathe.

If that spindle is very long, you will also need a steady rest to prevent it from flexing in the middle.

[TDHofstetter]

One way to do it, if the 3/4" stock isn't too long (or if the hollow spindle is large enough inside) is to chuck the 3/4" stock in the lathe chuck. Then you can "find" your center using a live center in the tailstock. Optionally, touch a 1/8" drill bit to it. Or just approach it with a pencil tip (it'll make bullseye circles till it's on center, and it's pretty easy to spot the center from a bullseye circle).

Or... clamp a thick scrap to the drill press's table. Use a Forstner bit to drill a 3/4" hole in the scrap. Drop a dowel point into the hole - that'd be a 5/8" dowel point - so the point points up. take the scrap & set it on the bench, or the floor, or wherever... and stick the 3/4" stock on the hole. Tap it with a mallet.

Or... a better combination square may be in order. Don't use a pencil with it, use the little steel scriber that comes in the 90/45-degree head (the little knob).

[maxwellsmart007]

I guestimate, and hope that I'm close...if not, I just get to turn a bit more off!

[Doug B]

May 4, 2010 5:27:34 GMT -6 pastorpaul said:

I am working with 3/4" round and need to make sure I am dead on, so I have to find that center.

PP

I'm trying to figure out what you are making from 3/4" dowels...whatcha makin'

[pastorpaul]

When I made the cradle for my now nearly four year old granddaughter, the method for making the locking pins was to drill a 3/4" hole in a scrap of 2x4 and use it as a jig on the router table to turn one end of a 3/4" dowel to 1/2". Even after hours and hours of trial and error, repositioning the jig about a bazillion times, and going through heaven only knows how many dowels, the pins were just far enough off that they didn't work like they should.

With the warmer weather here, and the Cherry now well darkened, I'm going to turn those pins on the lathe and then put on the Danish oil finish I couldn't put on when I made the cradle because the fume time between completion and having a little one in it wasn't there. I hope to turn the pins during the next week, but the finishing will wait until I have held my garage sale to get rid of a bunch of clutter... hopefully before the end of June.

I found the center finder I want for about $8 on-line or at one of the St. Louis stores for a couple of the major woodworking dealers. The problem is that the stores are quite a bit out of my way on Sunday. I made some calls today. The blue borg can special order center finders for anywhere from $15 to about $35. I called the local outlet of a major lumber company chain in Missouri and Arkansas, but hung up after nearly 15 minutes on hold.

I got back to St. James from my day at the hospital in time to go to our local lumber company (about 6 blocks from the house) just minutes before they closed. They are special ordering the brand name center finder I wanted and the truck will be in Thursday. Cost before tax: $6.98. That's less than I found anywhere... and that price is for two. I figured for $3.49 each I'd like a spare in the drawer just in case I lose or break one. Not that I lose any tools, but I have put some away for safe keeping and can't remember where. Then those that are intentionally hiding somewhere in the shop laughing at me when I try to find them. ;D

PP

[Doug B]

Oh yes, a lathe should do that quite nicely for you. And, if you happen to have a chuck and some spigot jaws for it like this www.woodcraft.com/Catalog/ProductPage.aspx?prodid=9534&ss=6b312a3b-fec3-4494-8565-033e423cba9f , then you won't even need the center finder.

That's how I would do it if it were me, but you have to have the spigot type jaws for holding 3/4" round stock (dowels).

[pastorpaul]

Ditto on the spigot jaws, but it is a Grizzley mini lathe and I only have a the spindle centers and a couple of small face plates.

I've run into various non-turning projects where I needed a center finder, so this is a really small investment for a handy tool.

PP

[pastorpaul]

I got to thinking about those spigot jaws and went to Grizzly's website. No luck! But I picked up my center finders yesterday and tomorrow, after repairing my garage door opener, I think I'll take my first shot at turning those pins... assuming the predicted thunderstorms don't shut down both projects.

PP