Make One Yourself! DIY Tool for Locating the Center of a Circle

A center finder is an incredibly useful tool for marking the exact center of a circular piece, but if you don’t have one, you can make it yourself! In this post, you’ll learn how to create your own DIY V-shaped center finder with high accuracy using low-cost materials.

 

 

1. Basic Idea: The 90-Degree V Frame

The heart of a DIY center finder is a right-angle (V-shaped) frame with a guide hole at the apex. When this V frame is aligned to the edge of a circle and a line is drawn through the apex, multiple lines from different angles will intersect at the true center.

A step-by-step diagram showing how to build a DIY V-shaped center finder using triangular plywood pieces and a pencil guide to locate the center of a circle

2. Materials Needed

  • MDF or plywood (3–5mm thick recommended)
  • Saw or laser cutter
  • Set square or precision triangle
  • Screws or wood glue
  • Pencil or scribe

 

 

3. How to Build It

  1. Cut two right triangles out of MDF or plywood.
  2. Join them to form a perfect 90-degree V-shaped frame.
  3. Drill a small hole at the apex where the two arms meet. This is where your pencil will go.
  4. Attach a bottom base plate to hold the angle rigid and prevent wobble.
  5. To use: align the V against the edge of the circle and draw a line through the hole. Rotate and repeat to find the exact center!

4. Design Tips

  • Make sure the triangles are exactly 90 degrees for precision.
  • Drill the hole at the true intersection point of the arms.
  • Optional: Add a notch or scale for reference marking or integration with a compass.

 

 

Use Case Examples

  • Marking the center for a hole in a circular cutting board
  • Drilling at the center of a round wood clock base
  • Aligning round blanks for CNC or lathe work

Storage and Upgrade Tips

Add a wall-hanging hole so you can easily store your DIY tool. You can also upgrade it by adding spring clips or a ruler guide to enhance repeatability and versatility.

 

 

Conclusion

You don’t need to buy a commercial center finder when you can easily make one yourself! This DIY tool is affordable, highly accurate, and fun to build. Sketch out your template, gather your materials, and make your workflow more precise today.