East Texas Woodturners' Association
Balance Point
by Lynn Pratt
Updated Nov16, 2003
For turning large wall pieces from irregular stock, the geometric center is not as important as the weighted center. To find the balanced center, place a finishing nail in the center of a 12" square piece of plywood, position the irregular piece to be turned on the nail and adjust the position to find the balance point (think of the old type tire balancers). When you have the nail at the balance center of the irregular piece, it will be suspended in the air.
.