Chuck Center Finder

It's probably been done before, but I made this today to find the center of a piece while it's still on the chuck. I used the chuck adapter for the live center which has a fairly long 3/4" internal thread. Turned a dowel just big enough to fit within the threads and put a nail in the center of the end.

 

This would only be helpful if you forgot to make a center divot when forming your recess or tenon.
I've never done that.

 

Or if you inherit a project that has no center point .

 

Only if it has a tenon to mount chuck. I use this idea to mount face plate on center. Place the devise in face plate and stick it thru the faceplate into the premarked center (or mounting point) on the blank and put the screws in.

 

The simple and accurate method that I use is a 3/8" steel rod with a 60 degree point that has a cutting edge formed by a flat across the point.
The rod does not fit tight but when pushed into the tenon wile turning will form an accurate center point.

 

Works great for a face plate to hold it in place while inserting screws.

 

I made one with a small rod that slides in the wooden plug. The important part is turning the wooden plug so it fits snuggly. That way I can use it to locate the faceplate on the center mark of a rough blank. It's also useful for marking a center point on bowl bottoms while still mounted on the chuck should I forget to make a mark. Like that's ever happened.