Finding the centre!

[Alie Barnes]

Hi

Ive got lots of logs that i have just cut length wise with a C/saw and i dont have a band saw or anything so its basically just like a quarter log.

Hope thats clear, anyways so how do i find the centre of each? i saw something on Axminster webbie for finding the centre but i think thats just for spherical pieces.

Any ideas?

Thankyou.

 

[AndyT]

I'd just use a pair of compasses and trial and error on each end to fit the biggest circle possible onto the triangle.

Andy

 

[TEP]

Hi Alie.

You probably don't want to spend the time doing this just now. If you can find the time later get yourself some perspex sheet, and make a couple of centre finders.

Cut two circles of perspex one about 5" dia, and one about 12" dia. Get a faceplate with a MDF board on it, and using double sided tape fix a circle onto the faceplate. Don't use too much tape or you'll break the perspex taking it off.

Turn the edge gently to round, then drill a small hole in the centre enough to take a awl. Measuring from the centre mark off a series of 1/2" marks and use the corner of a skew to make circles at each mark.

Take off and fit the next circle and do the same. Now when ever you need to find the centre place a ring over the wood, centre by eye and mark through the centre hole.

 

[CHJ]

I made myself a series of discs out of hardboard 70 - 250mm diameter in 10mm or 20mm steps with a cental pencil/nail hole.

I also use my centre finders as bansaw guides with a suitable nail when rounding up a green blank.

 

[Alie Barnes]

Hi Alie.

You probably don't want to spend the time doing this just now. If you can find the time later get yourself some perspex sheet, and make a couple of centre finders.

Cut two circles of perspex one about 5" dia, and one about 12" dia. Get a faceplate with a MDF board on it, and using double sided tape fix a circle onto the faceplate. Don't use too much tape or you'll break the perspex taking it off.

Turn the edge gently to round, then drill a small hole in the centre enough to take a awl. Measuring from the centre mark off a series of 1/2" marks and use the corner of a skew to make circles at each mark.

Take off and fit the next circle and do the same. Now when ever you need to find the centre place a ring over the wood, centre by eye and mark through the centre hole.

Cant quite picture this, is there a guide somewhere?

 

[Mark Hancock]

Hi Alie.

You probably don't want to spend the time doing this just now. If you can find the time later get yourself some perspex sheet, and make a couple of centre finders.

Cut two circles of perspex one about 5" dia, and one about 12" dia. Get a faceplate with a MDF board on it, and using double sided tape fix a circle onto the faceplate. Don't use too much tape or you'll break the perspex taking it off.

Turn the edge gently to round, then drill a small hole in the centre enough to take a awl. Measuring from the centre mark off a series of 1/2" marks and use the corner of a skew to make circles at each mark.

Take off and fit the next circle and do the same. Now when ever you need to find the centre place a ring over the wood, centre by eye and mark through the centre hole.

Cant quite picture this, is there a guide somewhere?

Simply cut a disc out of a piece of perspex. Mount it on the lathe either with double sided tape as stated above or on a screw chuck. If using a screw chuck mount a slightly larger disc of scrap wood behind it to support the perspex. Then you can true up the edge of the perspex disc and score circles on it with the long point of your skew chisel. (Place the skew upright on the tool rest as you would when making V grooves)

 

[Alie Barnes]

Hi Alie.

You probably don't want to spend the time doing this just now. If you can find the time later get yourself some perspex sheet, and make a couple of centre finders.

Cut two circles of perspex one about 5" dia, and one about 12" dia. Get a faceplate with a MDF board on it, and using double sided tape fix a circle onto the faceplate. Don't use too much tape or you'll break the perspex taking it off.

Turn the edge gently to round, then drill a small hole in the centre enough to take a awl. Measuring from the centre mark off a series of 1/2" marks and use the corner of a skew to make circles at each mark.

Take off and fit the next circle and do the same. Now when ever you need to find the centre place a ring over the wood, centre by eye and mark through the centre hole.

Cant quite picture this, is there a guide somewhere?

Simply cut a disc out of a piece of perspex. Mount it on the lathe either with double sided tape as stated above or on a screw chuck. If using a screw chuck mount a slightly larger disc of scrap wood behind it to support the perspex. Then you can true up the edge of the perspex disc and score circles on it with the long point of your skew chisel. (Place the skew upright on the tool rest as you would when making V grooves)

ok ive got this now i think i was being dumb, which brings me to my next silly questions. Can i use this methos for turning between centres or will one end be off slightly compared to the other and how woul di correct this?

thanks

 

[Mark Hancock]

ok ive got this now i think i was being dumb, which brings me to my next silly questions. Can i use this methos for turning between centres or will one end be off slightly compared to the other and how woul di correct this?

thanks

Yes this disc centre finder is for finding the centre either for a bowl blank or for the 2 ends for between centre work.
Obviously if it's a log you are marking the centres on it may be slightly out, but then you true it up :?: