Where can I find a device to find the centers of plugs or dowels? Also interested how do you make the swirl finish that is so popular? I have seen it on a lot of plugs on this site thanks chuckie

make three lines.
take a strait edge and make a line whear you think the center is.
do another line kinda like an X .
do another line that goes thru the X.
you'll have a small triangle. the center of that triangle is it.

go back and look for "how to swirl post"a few threads down.

You can buy center finder in wood stores or MSC and the like. It is nothing more than a triangle with a ruler in the middle.

You can easily make a center marker for dowels yourself.
Take a scrap of wood and drill a hole in it the same size as the dowell, just don't go all the way thru. Then drill a small pilot hole all the way thru the center making sure you are perfectly straight. Then screw a screw into the hole from underneath so it just sticks up into the other hole. Now all you simply do is grab a dowell and place in the hole and ream it a little to mark the centers. Takes no time at all, simple and easy, no marking with a pencil or razorknife, no x's needed. Done in one quick operation.
You can thank Tattoo for that one, he showed me that. :)

Might also check the Plugmas (step by step) thread I posted a couple of weeks back. I show a center finder in there that can be used for any size dowel or square stock. Easy to make too.

Jigman

fishing freak love the swiring. reminds me of sponge painting on walls in a house thanks for the help chuckie

Sending out a picture for the first time hope it comes out ok.
Finally found the perfect tool.
I'm giving you a phone # to call.
1-800-443-7937 It's called dead center finder.
Item #dc-1010 $14.95 Worth every penny.
Good luck.

http://www.woodcraft.com/family.aspx?DeptID=4035&FamilyID=3036

I think the center finder works even without the glitter job. But it is a nice touch. Its ok I find myself spraying everthing in the garage lately. Including my clothes.:D