How to Find Exact Center for Woodworking Joinery

Half laps and some other woodworking operations require finding the exact center of the workpieces. This is the fastest, easiest and most foolproof way that I've found yet.
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[@stephenlelaurin8892]

Nice! And you don't even have to move the saw blade to exactly 45 degrees to find the center. Any angle will do the trick, as long as you cut both sides of the test board with the same angle.

[@bhboyle]

Jodi I dont know where you get your ideas from but I swear your the only one that has the ideas you come up with. Brilliant as always. Cheers.

[@PatrickPease]

Geometry, probably... It always blows my mind how both the best machinists and woodworkers just have such an intuitive grasp of geometry

[@mikegallagher782]

He’s probably really good at pool too!

[@stephenlelaurin8892]

It is clear Jodi has a great grounding in geometry! To that end, there are even a couple of woodworking authors (Jim Tolpin and George Walker) who are avid woodworkers and committed math geeks. They have written three (or more) books highlighting woodworking skills in light of mathematical truisms. Fascinating, even for this committed math geek. One of the books, "From Truths to Tools," is even masquerades as a children's book. Available at Lostartpress.com and a wide variety of woodworking outlets.

[@vbikcl]

Agreed. I've learned more really practical tips and tricks from this channel than any of the other 30 channels I'm subscribed to.

[@nipperdog7777]

This is close to what I do. I would suggest at 1:51 you draw a horizontal line with the table top. In addition to what you did. I also scribe it, not a pencil line. My dad taught me this way 40 years ago. It works great.

[@D1G1TALSYNAPS3]

I don’t know if you’ll read this. But your videos changed the entire way I do woodwork. Thank you for always being so clever short and concise.

[@BGladWoodworkings]

Man I love these quick tips you've been putting out. Simple and easy but so useful.

[@gbear056]

You’re the Einstein of Woodworking, Brother. Truly. Elegant.

[@BretClements]

Well, I have to say that looong hiatus you took last year is now paying off in dividends for myself and the rest of your subscribers. Well done Jody and thank you!

[@ahmedalsanea6079]

best channel providing real tips and how-to

[@shaynesabala]

Thank you. Your tips are sometimes the simplest but most useful. I will use this method for many year. Thanks.

[@Vikingwerk]

Huh. An actually good woodworking tip on youtube. I like it!

[@DonsWoodies]

This is the kind of thing people knew decades ago and was lost to the technological advancements of the last years. Not to take away from your video. On the contrary, these things are what we need to rediscover, and you're doing a wonderful job of it. Keep it up, love it.

[@reuma7823]

Kia ora from Aotearoa (New Zealand). Oh my goodness, thank you for your very informative tutorials. I love all the tips & tricks!!!! I'm gonna freak my brother out on all my knowledge next time I get to see him & he's going to be so proud of his little sister 😁🙃🙂 I've saved every tutorial you made & I'm going to write everything down to keep my mind sharp lol. Thank you again 💓 oh & forgot to say... 💯 I subscribed 🙃🙂

[@AlceuCosta]

Excellent idea, including the mark to measure the highest tooth.

[@joshuam.3791]

Flipping brilliant mate! Simple is usually best and the easiest to overlook.

[@brucemartin5510]

More good info in this short than in some hour-long vids. THANK YOU!

[@daleshewchuk3523]

You are outstanding because you know how to think outside the box, or anywhere else for that matter. Applied geometry.Your channel name is accurate as well. You inspire me to pursue woodcraft.Thank you.

[@supersignsaustraliaptyltd3734]

It all makes so much sense, true craftsman true genius, using repetition and the tools we have to achieve the best result. one of my fav channels. I laugh at the end of every vid I watch, I have made every mistake he has the solution for but this channel has changed my way of thinking. How can I do this easier how can I do it more accurate, how can I do it safer, this channel has most of the answers but I am starting to understand this craftsman. I am nowhere near or will achieve his level of expertise in my lifetime but his shear logic and well explained vids has expanded my abilities, projects and level of weekend wood working adventures. Thanks for sharing very much appreciate from downunder.

[@EdAgers110]

Very ingenious idea. I caught it from you and I will now spread it to someone else! Thank you

[@lvmadsen]

I dont often do this first time i see a youtuber... but this tip in this video made made me like, sub AND comment without you asking ! Amazing! - looking forward to see more tips from you !

[@AugustusCardoso]

Holy hell this channel is a gold mine 😳😳 thank you!!

[@norm_olsen]

Simply brilliant! No measuring. No muss, no fuss, no finagling! I love these kind of videos :)

[@robinbeckford]

Simple, effective and accurate. Good thinking! The stop block makes it work.

[@eddiemoreno2922]

Amazing, I knew there was a reason why I subscribed to your channel, keep up the great videos!

[@Dandroid61]

Another brilliant video! I learn something new from you every time.

[@KyleBruns]

Your tips are the best on YT! Keep it up.

[@wesleyderrick4326]

Incredibly simple but ingenious. Thank you!

[@terryt2910]

Thanks. Always a new and thoughtful idea. BTW, any angle will do as long as you set the stop block so the cut clears the midpoint.

[@tomwilson2804]

I was going to make the same comment. First I thought, "What if the angle isn't exactly 45 degrees, and worked it out through there."

[@terryt2910]

@@tomwilson2804 actually, another viewer mentioned the same. I just added the "as long as the cut clears the center" part.

[@davec3689]

Thank you, Jodie. Your ideas always make woodworking easier and more fun.

[@cassidypoboxcom]

I love these gems! cant tell you how much time this could have and will save me going forward! Brilliant

[@markfiges999]

I like this guy, my kind of woodworker,

[@lateralus411]

I've been enjoying your content recently and wanted to say thanks for sharing. I really like your no BS style man. Cheers.

[@awlthatwoodcrafts8911]

Clever. I need to make some half-laps this weekend. I'm going to give it a try.

[@chriswindberg5010]

Jodee, you're the man. I learn something new from you on almost every video! Keep up the awesome content.

[@chrisgriffith1573]

That is going to save me HUGE amounts of time!!! THANK YOU! All of my panels are cradled. The corners are all half-lap joints. Now I can just cut several blocks to match each size of every cradle depth I make!

[@vbikcl]

This video is two tricks in one - the line for the saw blade to know its max height was brilliant. I'm constantly fidgeting with setup blocks and rocking the blade back and forth to find the highest point, and using a vertical reference line makes that super easy. Going to mark all my blades with one now.

[@DKWalser]

Okay, that was cool! I learned something new. To put that in perspective, I used to work in a furniture mill. Part of my job was to train my crew on how to use woodworking machinery, including the table saw. It's not often I see something new. Useful reminders, yes. New, very seldom.

[@leehaelters6182]

I am also very experienced, but giving this fellow Jodi big props though, because much of the time he seems to have reinvented techniques his own self. Stuff that may have been passed down to us.

[@stevengoulet3723]

Great tip Jodi. Great video too. Note though that the angle for the cut can be anything and this technique will still work, it doesn’t need to be exactly 45 degrees. As long as you keep the angle the same on both cuts, 30 degrees will work, 42 degrees will work…you get my point.

[@TheChrisGreer]

You have some of the best videos with really useful tips and tricks!

[@nitestrike1000]

This is so brilliantly simple and accurate, it should be outlawed! Thank you! I believe this could be applied to setting the router depth of cut as well if using it to make half lap cuts

[@calyodelphi124]

I swear... once I can start getting to a wood shop--or start outfitting one of my own--I am going to be referencing your videos a LOT for all of these useful tips and tricks.

[@fredparsons5134]

Always useful tips from Jody. A lot of videos are tips that are to time consuming to be useful.

[@BobBlarneystone]

This is an excellent method. It's not difficult with a saw that has a vertical arbor lift mechanism. But for older saws that have a pivot lift mechanism, the position of the reference tooth will change slightly and so care must be taken to bring it back to TDC.

[@MikeCurtin-nn8xy]

Thank you very much. This is brilliant. On the same level as William Ng's 5-cut method. You have a new subscriber. The angle of the bevel cut's not critical, either.

[@20pump]

2:28 excellent as always man. Thanks for sharing

[@plthwaites]

Oh man... So simple and yet so elegant. Thanks much for this one. It is going to be a major help going forward. Nuff Said!!

[@andrewbrown8148]

Great tip~! Thanks for putting this video together, Jodi~!

[@steven_vogt]

That was a "light bulb moment" video if ever I saw one :) Thanks! 👍

[@grahamwatson6136]

Wish I’d seen this three days ago! Really useful tip thank-you.

[@garymalkinfishing2397]

GENIUS brother. Some things I just over think. Thanks for this quick tip!!!!

[@davidbarnett1755]

Really enjoy your videos, they help me make better projects while so many "other professional so called woodworkers" focus on selling products

[@morrisonsusan]

Jamie, you are a genius!

[@randallnorris231]

Awesome, thanks so much for the info. That will come in handy. BTW, I’ve dabbled in woodworking for many years and never noticed that line on a saw blade, learn something new every day if ya pay attention.. 👍

[@mrupholsteryman]

Learned something new about the saw blade line! Cool! I know of another way to find the center...using either a coin or dowel or washer...and you draw the arc around the perimeter meeting the arch from one to the other on both sides....creating a football (maybe?) .....depending upon the size washer (round thing) and connecting the intersections of the semi circles together...that also is a method that works well.

[@leehaelters6182]

Good one, dude!

[@meperson]

That is great little trick. Since you are cutting two equal sides of the isosceles triangle the angle you use doesn't really matter/doesn't needs to be accurate to 45. Just use stop block and set angle to what you like.

[@garyhestilow3914]

Great, very practical and useful info every time!

[@GrantOakes]

LOVE your channel! You always have super simple and functional ideas that make woodworking better and fun. Please keep them coming!

[@theduftmeister]

Wizardry. Nice one Jodie 👍

[@tomleed2818]

Great job! Very well presented, please keep it up!

[@BfreeBob]

A great tip that I'll actually use. Thanks.

[@leslietaylor1570]

Wow. That was pretty simple!! Thanks

[@watermain48]

Great tip. Thanks Jodie.

[@philshock3805]

Awesome tip! Thanks, Jodi.

[@מעייןהמלבלבתחייםםםם]

Thanks!!! One of the best tips ever!!

[@mindyhall4638]

Another great one Jodi; thanks!

[@MCsCreations]

Brilliant tip, dude! Thanks a bunch! 😃 Stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊

[@AndyBlackman]

I have a variation. I use a carpenter square to mark the 45 on each side giving me the center. I use the crosshairs to get my blade to the correct height. Its probably not as accurate as the method described. I have had reasonable success with minimal sanding or planing. :)

[@WebGuyMikeFL]

I just recently picked up the Microjig Fitfinder 1/2 Gauge. It is dead simple to use and finds the middle of a piece and gives you a "setup block" measuring exactly half the height. Loving it so far but your technique is certainly an easy approach in a pinch or if you don't have the $35 for a new jig. Thanks for sharing.

[@priayief]

Me too! I just received mine a couple days ago.

[@trurex007lee7]

Thank you for the idea.

[@skippylippy547]

Love this quick tip! Thank you. 👍

[@SquareRootOfMinus1]

Nice one. Thanks for that. Two good tips in here.

[@michaelschmitz8028]

Great tip! Is the 45 on the table saw crucial or will theoretically any angle work?

[@80211Denver]

I think anything 45 or higher. Less will leave a blunt edge

[@captainsawdust1]

Any angle will work. I'd suggest at least 15° to have a good point.

[@tomkarafa8605]

Very clever . Have to try it .

[@clearwaterwoodworkllc]

Super simple! Thanks for sharing.

[@earlmorren3858]

Very cool. Thanks for posting this!

[@AymanAlSairafi]

Pretty cool. And you don't need a 45 degrees for the first cut. Any degree will be symmetrical and the point will be in the middle.

[@alfredduhon8591]

Awesome information. Thank you very much for your time.

[@brucen4719]

Ingenious! Thanks for the tip!

[@tonybowie1283]

That is absolutely superb

[@Sbregher]

So clever!! Thank you!

[@Erik_The_Viking]

I love these tips! Keep them coming!

[@michaeleasler5249]

Great tip! Thanks a bunch.

[@stevegronsky8904]

Good one Jodi 👍

[@marcusbrammertz3792]

Great! Thank you for sharing!

[@robinpowell4570]

Great tip man, thanks 👍

[@johghurt9863]

Applied primary school geometry. And the beauty is, that the angle doesn‘t even matter, it just works best with anything around 45.

[@David.M.]

Nice quick tip, thanks

[@beerdevil4020]

Really nice tip, thank you.

[@dtork47]

Great tip, thanks again!

[@johnvodopija]

Sweet tip! Simple enough for even me to follow hehe. Cheers 👍🇦🇺😎

[@ibubezi7685]

I like the short tip-videos - there should be a way to collect all tips (yes, I'm subscribed), in an e-book...

[@JonathonPickett]

Quick and simple! Thank you!

[@michellegatz7077]

Excellent video

[@steelsunpi]

That is a great idea.

[@plainnpretty]

Good information thanks

[@Marcelo57939]

Very smart idea!!!!!

[@garlicbad]

Great tip!

[@ST-0311]

Awesome. That is all.

[@hokaidosax]

Just brilliant!

[@michaelgill9273]

Had a thought. Make the same cut but on the left side of yhe blade using a miter gauge or cross cut sled. This time make a partial cut that is more than halfway through (can eyeball this). Flip the board and make the same cut, maintaining the same distance to the blade. Now you have the center with an internal corner. Now you can align a router bit dead center by seating it in this internal corner.

[@johnfrederickson3082]

GREAT, THANKS