re-inventing the wheel....sort of

[Bob Thomas]

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

[TheSpecialist]

Good Idea Bob thanks for sharing.

[Krispy]

center marker

[UserRemoved1]

Youze got it Krispy, that thing is pisser!

[MAC]

I have one of these and they work awesome.

[Jigman]

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

[Bob Thomas]

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

[Slipknot]

Originally posted by Jigman
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

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

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.

[Canalman]

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

[Backbeach Jake]

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

[Surfster]

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?

Or am I missing something?

[Jigman]

Originally posted by Surfster
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?

Or am I missing something?

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

[justplugit]

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!

[Jigman]

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

[justplugit]

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

[bassmaster]

i use my band saw