Quick Tip: Find the centre

Use this handy homemade tool to accurately determine the centre of a square or circular work piece.

All you need to make this handy tool are a couple of pieces of scrap wood, a plastic triangle or scrap piece of perspex, some wood glue and screws.

GOOD TO KNOW: You can recycle a perspex CD cover or jewel case for the front plastic panel.

1. Cut two pieces of scrap wood to make the frame. A good size is around 100mm square.

2. Apply wood glue along the joint and clamp the sections together. DO use a Carpenter’s Square to check that you have an accurate 90-degree angle.

3. Once the glue is dry, add screws to reinforce the joint. Pre-drill pilot holes to ensure that you do not split the wood.

4. If you don’t have a plastic triangle, use a craft knife to score a piece of Plexiglas at a 45-degree angle. You will need to score a few times for a clean break.

5. Drill pilot holes through the plastic in order to secure onto the front of the wood frame with a couple of screws. Don’t overtighten the screws as this may crack the Plexiglas.

And there you have it… as handy tool for finding the centre of round piece! To use, place your work piece in the corner – against the Plexiglas and the wood – and mark a line along the 45-degree Plexiglas edge.

Rotate the piece and mark another line and this will give you the centre. A third line is needed when using the tool for the first time, to check that your DIY tool is accurate. Handy when needing to find the centre of a dowel for mounting curtain rods.