How to center something

I'm working on an upscale X-Ray. I want to paint it with the same scheme as the original. So I need to paint some tapered black stripes on the transition. I printed out some guides to help me mask it, but I've run into a problem. Other than eyeballing it, is there a better way to center the two guides to each other?

I am sure there are better ways, but I think what I would do is on a piece of paper draw a circle the same diameter as your small end and draw a straight line through the center of the circle. Then
lay the transition on the paper lining up the transition in the circle. Then I would stand a tri-square or rafter square or similar along the line on the paper and rotate the transition until a paint edge lines up with the square, then transfer the line from the paper to the small diameter.

You could print out a full scale profile shot of the transition, paste it to a flat sheet of foamboard, cut it out, hold it up to the pattern you will use as a reference, square the foamboard pattern to the transition and then mark the reference location on the other end.

OTOH, what Fatboy said about the combo square.

OTOH, what OD said about the profile.

FatBoy said:

OTOH, what OD said about the profile.

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Well played, sir. Well played.

I'm gonna guess that your Eyeball, Mark I, one pair, will work just as well as the other suggestions.

It looks pretty good to me, but I'm just anal enough that if it's noticeable after I paint it, it will bug me incessantly.

I just don't know. Why do I obsess over such trivialities?

Looks perfect!

I think I'm going for it. The worst that can happen is that I get counselling for my OCD.

qquake2k said:

I just don't know. Why do I obsess over such trivialities?

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For me, it's the Autism... For you, I suspect it has something to do with being a Craftsman.

K'Tesh said:

For me, it's the Autism... For you, I suspect it has something to do with being a Craftsman.

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I don't like crooked things or rattles.

The deed is done.

qquake2k said:

I just don't know. Why do I obsess over such trivialities?

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Detailer oriented. The ability to savor the deed and take the time needed to make it right, not just rush threw it to get it done. Pride in you work.
In the managment coarse my old employer put us threw, it's known as a High D personality.
Unable to make daring decissions without enough data.
Unable to pass over complicated functions without fully understand why.
I was told that is what I was.

Woody's Workshop said:

Detailer oriented. The ability to savor the deed and take the time needed to make it right, not just rush threw it to get it done. Pride in you work.
In the managment coarse my old employer put us threw, it's known as a High D personality.
Unable to make daring decissions without enough data.
Unable to pass over complicated functions without fully understand why.
I was told that is what I was.

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I'm actually a lot like that, especially about making decisions.

It's certainly far from perfect. But it did turn out better than I expected. I'm happy with it.

Are you serious? That looks awesome! If I had tried that.... I would have just said "screw it" and ditched the black line...

Looks good to me.

No rocket survives pristine perfection through the first launch.

I was going to write, "Skip the paint and get a wrap." But that looks awesome. Congrats!

qquake2k said:

It looks pretty good to me, but I'm just anal enough that if it's noticeable after I paint it, it will bug me incessantly.

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LOL you and me both! Nothing worse than stuff that doesn't line up properly!

I had an idea a while back to make a cradle with a V at each end and a laser like this -



Mounted on a piece of dowel or similar above, with the line going between each of the V's - so whatever you put in the cradle, the laser will naturally draw a straight line that you can then trace with a pencil. The lasers run quite happily off 2xAA batteries.

I got as far as ordering a laser from ebay, but the project is still sitting in my 'to-do' pile... Hmm... Might do that as my next project!

Krusty

qquake2k said:

It's certainly far from perfect. But it did turn out better than I expected. I'm happy with it.

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It looks just fine. I fellow once told me, "always remember that perfect is the enemy of good enough".

https://www.zoro.com/i/G3720141/?ut...hopping_Feed&gclid=CKb6rcPxl8QCFZI1aQodDJYARw

This is how machinists and model boat makers do it. There are Chinese knock off versions of this tool that can be purchased for under $50.

There are also LED laser disks that mount to the side if Skillsaws which one could imagine being built into an updated version of a square that works with irregular shapes.