How to Make a Circle Center Finder Perfect for Using with Proxxon Tools

Finding the center of a circle is particularly important when working with a lathe. This is an easy-to-make circle center finder made with Proxxon tools.

Supplies and Equipment:

• Wood blank large enough to accommodate template (~2½" x 3" x 1/8" or 1/4" )
• Circle Center Finder Template
• 1/8" dowel rod
• Liquid wood adhesive
• Wood oil
• Proxxon MICRO Bandsaw MBS/E
• Proxxon Delta Sander OZI/E
• Proxxon Disc Sander TG 125/E
• Proxxon Bench Drill Press TBM 115

How to make the circle center finder:

1. Print the circle center finder template. Select pattern size of  your choice. Cover one side of the blank with painter's tape. Mist the back side of the pattern with spray adhesive, and mount on the taped blank. The painter's tape makes removal of the pattern easy without leaving any sticky residue.
   
   
   
2. Cut the selected shape on the bandsaw or scroll saw.
   
   
   
3. Use the bench drill press to drill holes for the dowel rods. Use a piece of waste wood under the center finder shape to minimize tear out.
   
   
   
4. Sand the edges on the disc sander.
   
   
   
5. Finish detail and surface sanding with the Delta sander.
   
   
   
6. Cut two 1" lengths of the dowel rod. Glue the dowels in the drilled holes.
7. Finish the center finder with wood oil.

Here's how the circle center finder works:

1. Position the center finder on the end of any circular shape with each of the dowel rods held snug against the item.
   
   
   
2. Draw a line along the straight edge.
   
   
   
3. Rotate the item and draw a send line. Repeat for a third line.
   
   
   
4. Where the lines intersect marks the center of the circle.