re-inventing the wheel....sort of
 

Figured I'd post this now since I can't seem to get the digital to work correctly.

I was having problems getting my center lines correct on both sides of my stock. I tried the corner to corner method but always missed (poor eye-hand coordination?)

So.....I'm using 2x2 AYC which is about 1 1/2" (roughly) I took a piece of 3/4" plywood and mounted it onto a piece of 1 foot long 2x4 at one end. Now I just place my stock against the plywood and scribe a line. I rotate it 4 times to get 4 lines. I am left with a very small square where I line my drill bit up with. I repeat the same on the opposite side and have yet to miss a through drill!

Just wanted to share this. Wish I could get the blasted cam to work :smash:

Good Idea Bob thanks for sharing.

Youze got it Krispy, that thing is pisser!

I have one of these and they work awesome.:kewl:

I made something similar to what Krispy suggested. Used an old jig saw blade for the cutter and scrap wood for the rest. Probably less than $1 in supplies.

Jigman

I'm ordering one of those thingies right now. That looks pissa! What is wrong with me?? Shoulda had that a long time ago

:btu: Jigman, AWESOME
I've been spending to much time marking, that will save a little time not to mention 20 bucks :D

On smaller pieces I don't even bother with measuring or running diagonal lines, I just stab the wood with an awl in the center by eye, it's close enough.

I made something very similar to Jigman but mine has a slot instead of a blade. I just put the stock in there and score it using a utility knife. flip and repeat.

-Dave

How do these simple solutions escape me? Thanks for taking me by the hand and leading me to the light!:D

on center..sort of
 

Why not just throw it in the lathe between centers till it seems to run true then crank on it a little. When you remove it you should have a center in both sides to work with....no?:huh:

Or am I missing something?

Re: on center..sort of
 

That would take additional time to get it right and you would end up with a bunch of holes in the ends of your blank. Using the jig I posted (or other similar jigs) takes a few seconds per blank. You can do up a bunch, then move on to turning. More accurate and quicker. Also, if you are center drill on the drill press before turning, you'll have the center marked without using the lathe.

I got the jig idea from the other site. Someone (mrpogie?) had posted something similar.

Jigman

I saw the hack saw blade on jigman's idea. Does this cut into the ends so that it holds better in the knife blades [or whatever they call them] on the left side of the lathe as well as find the center?

I push the blank into the left side then crank the rigth side in till it's snug. I use red cedar which is soft,but am i hurting the lathe by cranking it in? DOes it get tight enough this way? Don't want that sucker flying off! :eek:

The cuts from the blade are only deep enough to let you see the X. Don't help out with holding the blank in place.

Jigman

Thanks JIGMAN,
Any harm to my lathe the way i do it?
THANKS! :)

i use my band saw