The Center Finder is one of the easiest projects to make and one of the most useful.  If you have a layout location which you want to center on a four-jaw chuck or faceplate such as the center of the rectangular block shown in the picture, this tool will let you do that without resort to an indicator.  The ratio of the length between the pivot and the ends allows you to visually watch the outer end and discern quite a small position error.  The tailstock center serves only as a visual reference for direction and distance.  If you adjust the toolpost position so the out-of-position outer end circles the tailstock center about equally in both directions, you can pretty well set the center with one adjustment of each set of jaws.

Fabrication involves turning points on both ends of the rod, hardening the points (recommended) and assembling the parts using only a hex wrench.

Order Large CenterFinder Kit - $18                 Order Small CenterFinder Kit - $16

Order Large CenterFinder Complete  - $30         Order Small CenterFinder Complete - $28