Large-scale Center Finder

By Woodcraft Magazine Updated on: May 13, 2025 Published on: May 7, 2025

Plastic center finders are great for spindle turnings and smaller bowl blanks, but won’t work for larger blanks such as those for platters. For those, I make a bigger version by clamping a combination square to a framing square with the combo-square’s blade aligned with the vertex of the framing square as shown. Draw two intersecting lines along the combo-square’s blade to mark the center.

Richard Entwistle
Highland Lakes, New Jersey

A Practical Alternative to Commercial Jigs

Many woodworkers rely on a store-bought center finder for woodworking, but when turning oversized blanks, those tools can fall short. Richard's large-scale solution doubles as a DIY center finder jig that costs nothing to make and works with tools most shops already have. The intersecting-line method gives a fast and accurate result and doesn’t depend on plastic guides or fixed radii. This simple alignment trick solves a common workshop challenge with ingenuity and precision.

Why Centering Matters

An accurate center is essential when mounting any blank on a lathe, especially for balanced turning and safety. A homemade center finding jig like this one ensures your platter blank spins evenly, reducing vibration and the risk of tool catches. In lathe work, a small error in marking can throw off your project from the start. This wood lathe center finder trick helps you lock in your layout before the first cut.

More Woodworking Tips and Tricks

Looking for more ways to simplify your workflow? Clever woodworking hacks like Richard’s keep projects moving and tools in your hand, not stuck searching for a better jig. From layout to lathe work, having a dependable DIY center finder jig is just one of many tips that make a difference. Keep exploring Woodcraft for new solutions to old problems.

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