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Tool Talk Discussion Forum

How do you find the center of a circle?

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Tom

01-16-2004 19:20:41

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I am building a land roller out of a tank and the ends are capped and I need to find the perfect center to put the axle through so it will roll smooth,what is the best way to do this? Thanks

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NAT

01-17-2004 19:25:51

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Re: How do you find the center of a circle? in reply to Tom, 01-16-2004 19:20:41

measure diaimeter of circle, divide in half, take framing square and hold the same number on blade and tongue and heel of square will be on center. EX: 10 in dia divided in half=5, hold 5 in on blade and 5 in on tongue on any point of the dia, and the heel, or corner of square will be the center

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Jet9N

01-17-2004 08:57:08

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Re: How do you find the center of a circle? in reply to Tom, 01-16-2004 19:20:41

Built a roller a few years ago. Easiest way is to
measure about half way up the end of the tank
when it is lying on it's side on a flat surface (concrete slab). Keep rolling the tank and keep
marking the same height. when the tank has made
a complete rotation you will have a small circle
on the end of the tank. The center of this is where the true center is.

HTH

Jet

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Hermit

01-17-2004 08:17:57

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Re: How do you find the center of a circle? in reply to Tom, 01-16-2004 19:20:41

A real man would just eyeball it.

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Thanks Everybody

01-17-2004 08:17:09

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Re: How do you find the center of a circle? in reply to Tom, 01-16-2004 19:20:41

Thanks for all the suggestions now I can see how good I am with a tape measure and math.

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MarkB

01-17-2004 06:05:47

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Re: How do you find the center of a circle? in reply to Tom, 01-16-2004 19:20:41

Here's another way that I think is a little less error-prone:

Make yourself a "compass" by driving two nails through a board. The nails should be slightly further apart than the radius of the tank. (Maybe 1/8" wider than the radius.) Now, hook one of the nails on the outside of the circle and use the other nail to scribe an arc near the center of the circle. Repeat the process from two other points along the outside, each one about 120 degrees from the first point.

You should end up with a small "triangle" formed by the three arcs you just scribed. (Well, it's not really a triangle because its sides are arcs.) The center of the circle is the center of this triangle. If the triangle is too big, you could find its center, but that's probably not necessary. Just move one of the nails and scribe new arcs.

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john

01-17-2004 06:19:55

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Re: Re: How do you find the center of a circle? in reply to MarkB, 01-17-2004 06:05:47

Dang all this new math ways when all you need to do is add and subtract.
Just do like old said. Get a tape measure; hold one end and move the other end till you get the largest reading you can across the circle. Mark a line about where you think center is along tape. Do this 3 or 4 times moving around the circle every time. Where the lines cross is the center.

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Ralph

01-17-2004 07:23:13

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Re: Re: Re: How do you find the center of a circle in reply to john, 01-17-2004 06:19:55

Excellent simple answer!

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Ryan

01-17-2004 05:48:00

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Re: How do you find the center of a circle? in reply to Tom, 01-16-2004 19:20:41

You can use a geometric principle for this. The perpendicular bisector of a chord travels through the center point of a circle. a chord is any line through the circle. Take that line and split it in two parts. Now draw another line perpendicular to the first one through the middle point. Do that twice. Where the lines intersect is the center of the circle.

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Chris

01-17-2004 05:15:01

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Re: How do you find the center of a circle? in reply to Tom, 01-16-2004 19:20:41

Use care welding on a tank, you don't know what kind of vapors are in it.

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rhudson

01-17-2004 04:18:20

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Re: How do you find the center of a circle? in reply to Tom, 01-16-2004 19:20:41

Hi Tom, i would do as others have already suggested, but just in case you want to impress your friends: Link

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Allan

01-17-2004 04:14:48

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Re: How do you find the center of a circle? in reply to Tom, 01-16-2004 19:20:41

Tom,

LOL! Really enjoying reading all the solutions to your question.....good ideas, every one.

If it were I, I would take my tape, measure around the diameter of the cylinder. Divide that length into four equal lengths and mark these points around the cylinder. Then, simply connect the opposing points on the cylinder like a cross-hairs. Should be center.

'Course, I live in NE and have a hard time just finding my way out to the mailbox! :>)

Allan

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cole in mo.

01-17-2004 03:18:26

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Re: How do you find the center of a circle? in reply to Tom, 01-16-2004 19:20:41

Draw a square around it, then cross the corners.

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Fred OH

01-17-2004 07:59:08

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Re: Re: How do you find the center of a circle? in reply to cole in mo., 01-17-2004 03:18:26

I never learned how to square a circle...but I know how to square a hole...an old timer told me you drive a harrow tooth in a hogs butt.

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tech4

01-16-2004 19:33:16

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Re: How do you find the center of a circle? in reply to Tom, 01-16-2004 19:20:41

There is a complicated way using lines and compasses but the way I do it is put the drum on a piece of brown paper and draw around the drum to make a template of the circle. Cut that out and now fold in 1/2 and then in 1/4 and the center will be where the two halves meet and cross.

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old

01-16-2004 20:35:47

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Re: Re: How do you find the center of a circle? in reply to tech4, 01-16-2004 19:33:16

Get a yard stick and cut it so that it will just fit in the drum and then look at it and figure out what is half if that measure and you have center or you can use a tape the same way. If you are offa little forwhat you want its no big thing, yes if you where going to run it at 60mph yes you need to get it right to the millimeter

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Slowpoke

01-18-2004 20:44:01

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Re: Re: Re: How do you find the center of a circle in reply to old, 01-16-2004 20:35:47

I think every one assumes a flat end on the tank. Most tanks have a convex and a concave end. Now what are the ways to find the center?

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old

01-18-2004 22:20:58

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Re: Re: Re: Re: How do you find the center of a ci in reply to Slowpoke, 01-18-2004 20:44:01

Theres a number of way a piece of sting a cloth tape etc put it over the end and cut it off if string and them fold in half thats center you can also draw a line in an X and find center

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