Dowel Center Finder

An easy-to-make tool that accurately marks the center of wooden dowels.

Step 1: "X" Marks the Spot

As you can imagine, accurately marking the center of a wooden dowel (by hand) is a tricky task.

This funny looking 3-sided box gets it right every time.

Step 2: Cut the Parts

A scrap of 3/4" plywood is cut at the mitre saw. Two pieces are required measuring 3" wide and about 7" long.

Step 3: Form an "L"

Glue the two parts that were just cut into an "L" shape.

Step 4: Cut at 45°

Back at the mitre saw, the sides of the "L" piece are trimmed at 45°.

Step 5: Cut Into Two Parts

Splitting the previous part right down the middle. The resulting pieces will form the 3-sided box.

Step 6: Cut Dados

Shallow grooves are cut at the router table. This creates a slot which provide space for the utility knife blade. The two halves will be glued together... but for added measure, the knife blade is held in with a few strips of double sided tape.

Step 7: Final Glueup

Gluing the 45° mitre joint. Tape holds the parts together while the glue dries.

Step 8: Sanding

Any imperfections resulting after the glue up can be fixed on the disc sander.

The disc sander I use is made using a drill press. Check that Instructable out over here.

Step 9: BAM

Just two blows of a hammer and the center is found! Apparently I also got pretty close with the freehand mark on this one – I'm usually not that lucky.

HIGH FIVE for reading :)