Centre Finder Guide — How to Find the Centre of a Circle, Bowl Blank or Dowel
Find the centre of a bowl blank, spindle, dowel or any round workpiece in one placement — plus a 360° protractor and concentric circles for layout.
Quick Fixes — Read This Before Returning
- “My blank is bigger than the tool.” Each finder has a maximum diameter (see table). Choose the next size up, or email us about a custom size.
- “My blank isn’t perfectly round.” Rough-sawn blanks rarely are. Line up to the inside of the high spots and split the difference — you will true the blank on the lathe anyway.
- “It warped.” Heat. Keep it away from the lathe motor, heater and the car dashboard.
Are These the Right Instructions for You?
| Model | Works on round work up to |
|---|---|
| CF-10IN | 10" (254mm) |
| CF-250 | 250mm |
| CF-14IN | 14" (356mm) |
| CF-350 | 350mm |
How To Find the Centre
- Place the finder on the end of the blank or spindle, printed face up.
- Slide it until the edge of the work sits evenly on one of the printed concentric circles all the way round.
- Mark the centre through the centre hole with an awl, pencil or fine marker.
- Check: rotate the finder a quarter turn and look again. If the edge still sits evenly on a circle, your mark is right.
Other Uses
- Marking a circle: use the concentric circles to mark a finished diameter on a blank before you rough it out.
- Protractor: radial lines every 10° for dividing a disc into segments, laying out spokes, clock faces, flutes or indexing points.
- Dowels and spindles: small concentric circles at the centre handle dowel ends.
Looking After Your Finder
- Clean with a soft cloth and isopropyl alcohol or methylated spirits. No acetone.
- Store flat, away from heat and long-term sunlight.
When to Email Us
Email sales@clpa.au with your order number and a photo if your tool arrives damaged, you ordered the wrong size, or a printed line looks off-register. We aim to reply within one Brisbane business day — if you are in the USA or UK, remember we are a day ahead. We make every tool in-house, so we can usually replace, exchange or quote a custom size faster than a return would take.
Returns and Warranty
Unused items can be returned within 30 days of delivery in original condition — see our Refund Policy. Every CLPA tool carries a 12-month manufacturer warranty against defects in materials and workmanship. Bought on Amazon? Amazon’s return policy applies to your order, and our warranty still covers the tool.
More help: Frequently Asked Questions.
We Make What We Sell
Custom Laser Products Australia (CLPA) is a small veteran-owned family business. We design, laser-cut and UV-print every tool on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland. We are the manufacturer, not a reseller.
CLPA Customer Support · sales@clpa.au · clpa.au