Center Finder.

[toxo]

4 minutes ago, chuck123wapati said:

for those without welders here are a couple ways to find center without extra tools. Sorry for the light  lines.

1.  with just a square find the diameter then divide that number and mark both points on the edge of the circle turn the square over and align it with the marks and the measurments on the square.

2. use a compass , find the diameter divide in half then put thepointy end on  the edge and draw an arc, move it anywhere basicly and draw another or a few. 

3. The easiest way, buy a compass and blunt the point a bit so it doesnt poke a hole in the leather and draw on the back of you piece. In my case i simply installed the point backwards.

I hate smart kids

[chuck123wapati]

1 minute ago, toxo said:

I hate smart kids

lol they used to teach this stuff in grade school. a compass, ruler, protractor and square were basic tools back in the day. 

[toxo]

50 minutes ago, chuck123wapati said:

lol they used to teach this stuff in grade school. a compass, ruler, protractor and square were basic tools back in the day. 

I will admit to learning most of this stuff as well though forgotten most of it. Never used the try square one but used the compass method a lot. Also using a small leather patch to put the point on works as well.

As an aside, talking about learning stuff, I needed the learning at one job I did. I was given the drawings of a water heater to accompany an enormous on site concrete mixer to cold climates. Was 9ft dia and a little taller with a chinese hat roof. Because my face didn't fit I had to make everything out of scrap 1/8th plate so lots of cutting and welding before I could even start. The fun started when the drawings only gave the apex of the roof so with only the radius to go by I had to make the overall diameter and then work out how much of a wedge to cut out to arrive at the required height. Good job I thrive on that shit.

Edited November 13, 2024 by toxo

[chuck123wapati]

25 minutes ago, toxo said:

I will admit to learning most of this stuff as well though forgotten most of it. Never used the try square one but used the compass method a lot. Also using a small leather patch to put the point on works as well.

As an aside, talking about learning stuff, I needed the learning at one job I did. I was given the drawings of a water heater to accompany an enormous on site concrete mixer to cold climates. Was 9ft dia and a little taller with a chinese hat roof. Because my face didn't fit I had to make everything out of scrap 1/8th plate so lots of cutting and welding before I could even start. The fun started when the drawings only gave the apex of the roof so with only the radius to go by I had to make the overall diameter and then work out how much of a wedge to cut out to arrive at the required height. Good job I thrive on that shit.

 i am going to make one like yours for my wood lathe work it will be handy. 

[DwightT]

A while back I was looking for a center finder and stumbled on this site:

https://www.instructables.com/Homemade-center-finder-tool-quick-cheap-easy/

I haven't actually made one yet, but it looks like it would be easy enough to do.

    /dwight

[chuck123wapati]

11 minutes ago, DwightT said:

A while back I was looking for a center finder and stumbled on this site:

https://www.instructables.com/Homemade-center-finder-tool-quick-cheap-easy/

I haven't actually made one yet, but it looks like it would be easy enough to do.

    /dwight

now thats the ticket!!!

[toxo]

47 minutes ago, DwightT said:

A while back I was looking for a center finder and stumbled on this site:

https://www.instructables.com/Homemade-center-finder-tool-quick-cheap-easy/

I haven't actually made one yet, but it looks like it would be easy enough to do.

    /dwight

I saw a few like that online but they were too small. Just as good a design as any if you're gonna make one though.

The ones I saw had three pips though.

Edited November 13, 2024 by toxo

[Littlef]

4 hours ago, chuck123wapati said:

1 mm is pretty close especially for leather work.

 

pretty cool!!

 

I use mine far more for wood working than leather, but it comes in handy to find the center of a circle, regardless of the medium.    - the center point is far enough out , that I can see on a quick glance that its off.  But I worked out the process and I explained above to get the actual center. (or at least close enough that it works for me.)

[Littlef]

4 hours ago, chuck123wapati said:

lol they used to teach this stuff in grade school. a compass, ruler, protractor and square were basic tools back in the day. 

  I remember doing this in geometry.    - Probably did this in a drafting class also, but that's been many many moons ago.   

[chuck123wapati]

3 minutes ago, Littlef said:

  I remember doing this in geometry.    - Probably did this in a drafting class also, but that's been many many moons ago.   

yeah i'm a youngun at 65 lol I never quit using them thats all.