Finding 'Dead Center' on Dowel Rod?

[Mark Waltrip]

I've been struggling with ways to find dead center on pieces of round dowel rods, and didn't know if any of you have any suggestions?

I'm having problems both with finding dead center on a piece to fasten it on my lathe, and finding dead center when I go to drill the end. Every single time I go to drill the end I am either 1/16" to 1/8" off one way or the other, and it makes the hole off center.

Any tricks or tips?

[Brian Weaver]

One way that I have been shown is to take a piece of wood that is close to half the thickness of your dowel. Butt the end of the dowel up to the edge of your piece of wood and mark a line across rotate your dowel 180 deg. and mark another line rotate again 90 deg. mark a line and then rotate another 180 deg. and mark a line. You should end up with a very small square right in the middle. The nice thing about it is that you don't have to be absolutely perfect with your lines.

[Mike Golka]

I use one of these, they work great.
http://busybeetools.ca/cgi-bin/picture10?NTITEM=B1246

[Glenn Clabo]

You can make one of these...
http://www.teknatool.com/projects/Toolbox_Center%20Finder%20Guide.pdf

[Steve Campbell]

Mark I used to drill a lot of dowels. The biggest thing to drilling the holes is that I couldn't find too many dowels that are really round. Then on top of that they are not all the same size. What I found that works the best for me is to take a chunk of hardwood about 2 inches square X 3/4 inch thick. Drill a hole that is the same size as your dowel about half way through it. Then take the drill bit that you want to use and finish drilling through the block. You should now have a block that you can slip over the end of the dowel. The smaller hole should now be centered just drill from the top.

It's easier to do than to explain. If you need more help just shout.

Steve

[Ron McKinley]

What I do is take a small skew and put it flat on the tool rest and draw it across the end of the dowel to square it up then push it from outside (toolrest side) to the center with the long point. That will put a dimple in dead center. It will stop cutting when it reaches center.....Ron

[Jack Camillo]

Mark I used to drill a lot of dowels. The biggest thing to drilling the holes is that I couldn't find too many dowels that are really round. Then on top of that they are not all the same size. What I found that works the best for me is to take a chunk of hardwood about 2 inches square X 3/4 inch thick. Drill a hole that is the same size as your dowel about half way through it. Then take the drill bit that you want to use and finish drilling through the block. You should now have a block that you can slip over the end of the dowel. The smaller hole should now be centered just drill from the top.

It's easier to do than to explain. If you need more help just shout.

Steve

Nice solution. I'm going to use this.

[curtis rosche]

they make a metal center finder that you place on the wood then tap it with a mallet, then turn a bit then tap again. it scribes the line. even on out of round peices. i cant seem to find one though to show a picture.

[Scott Lux]

I use the Veritas Center Marker. I think that's what Curtis is describing.

http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=2&p=43205&cat=1,330,49237&ap=1

http://www.leevalley.com/images/item/woodworking/turning/05n1501s3.jpg

It will split small dowels, though

[curtis rosche]

thats what i was thinking of. for small dowels you can do 2 things. either tap it lighter. or you take a peice of chalk or a pencil and rub the marking point so it will draw on the dowel instead of marking the wood

[Paul Atkins]

For years I've used a Starrett center finder and just bought the Lee Valley one which is very accurate and faster too.

[Josh Holden]

That's funny, I tripped over this about an hour ago searching for something else:

http://www.woodworkingshop.com/cgi-bin/5D5C5ACC/mac/additmdtl.mac/showItemDetail?item=CL70008&qtyA=0&phsO=N&desc=8%20PC%20DOWEL%20TENON%20CENTER%20KIT&drpshp=N&alOrd=Y&iQty=.000&oQty=.000&initQty=1&assortParent=N&itemForSale=Y&styleName=&fixD=&face=.00&gftc=&stck=Y&prefS=&calledFrom=DS&ordInfo1=&ordInfo2=&ordInfo3=&ordMan1=N&ordMan2=N&ordMan3=N&persCode=&persReqd=&persLink=%20&shipRemaining=0&daysBetween=0&daysBetweenFix=0&monthsBetween=0

120864

It is hollow, with a matching point on the inside.

Josh

[kevin loftus]

I use one of these, they work great.
http://busybeetools.ca/cgi-bin/picture10?NTITEM=B1246

Me too, it works great.:)

[micky d daigle]

Here's an easy method.

http://www.woodworkingtips.com/etips/etip030523sn.html