There are many ways to mark centerlines on workpieces that are square, round or octagonal. But we wanted a simple, compact, dedicated and beautiful tool for this everyday job.
The Crucible Center Square is based on a vintage tool owned by a bodger friend. His tool was compact but had a weight and shape that made it feel like a worry stone in your hand. The bodger wouldn’t part with his (we don’t blame him), so we decided to make our own.
Our Center Square comes in two versions. The smaller one (now available) is machined from a solid chunk of steel in Kentucky. It measures 3-1/4″ long x 1-5/8″ wide x almost 3/8″ thick overall. The working area of the blade is 2-7/16″ long and includes a 1/8″ hang hole. It is ideal for chairmakers or turners who need to mark the centers of spindles or sticks for turning or shaving.
The larger one will be available later in 2022.
Using the tool is simple. Press the workpiece against the 90° opening on the underside of the tool. Then scribe a pencil line or knife line along the tool’s blade. Rotate the workpiece and repeat.
In this video, Megan Fitzpatrick walks you through the process:
Can you give ballpark dimensions on what the big one will be?
The overall length of the larger brass one will be 5-1/4″ with a working blade length of 4-3/8″.
I’m pretty excited about these!
Did the brass version sell out this quick, or are they just not available yet? 🙂
The larger one (in brass) will be available later this year (September, we hope).
I was reading The Solution at Hand a few nights ago when the entry on page 125 jumped out to me. At the time I assumed that was your source for the design (not knowing about your bodger friend). I may be thinking about the geometry wrong but I think Wearing’s solution would only work on the end of cylinders, where as your design works on circles (two tangents), squares, and octagons.
I think my 6″ Starrett combination square achieves the same thing.
Cool tool! And I’ll probably buy one of the brass ones when available. But, to me at least, it seems a little unfinished with all of those machining marks staring at you. I’m sure it is smooth to the touch…
The machine marks are very intentional.
They remind me of engine turning.
That was the vibe.
I wanted to pick up one of these but I have to accept the fact that I don’t have the diligence to keep up with some of these. Thinking of making one out of whit oak or locust because it looks like such a useful tool.