I saw this method in a video by Henrique Sampaio and although using a rule to centre a faceplate and drawing a line around the outside of the faceplate may be just as accurate, this method is quick and easy.

Making a Centring Jig

1. Select a suitable rod to use as the locating lug – I use my lathe knock out bar which is 8mm in diameter.
2. Select a piece of timber, preferable hardwood of sufficient size to allow for chuck mounting and a finished product that matches the inside diameter of your faceplates and also the depth of the thread on the faceplate.
3. With the piece mounted in the lathe, drill the hole through the centre the diameter of your centring lug.  The lug should be a snug fit.
4. You can now move the tailstock up for support.
5. Turn the outside so that it is a tight fit in your faceplates – note the slight taper on the jig to allow for slight differences in the machining of the thread in the faceplates.

Using the Jig

1. Select the piece to be mounted of the faceplate and locate the approximate centre using whatever technique you as use too.  I find the Centre Finder pictured here very quick and simple to use.
2. Drill a hole about 6 to 8mm deep that matches your jig lug.
3. Place the tip of the lug into the hole just drilled in the work piece.
      
4. Slide the faceplate and then the jig over the lug.
5. Slide them down till the faceplate is flush with the work and the jig is down as far as it will go.
6. Screw the faceplate to the work, remove the jig and start turning.
7. If you need to remove the faceplate and then later remount it just repeat the process for an accurate remounting.

Written by:
Allan Short

I can be contacted at:

ashort@carbatec.com.au or alswoodturning@gmail.com

See samples of my work at Als Woodturning Creations