hwo to center a cylinder on my mill

[gumball]

I had to cut two shoulders on a vertical 1 inch piece of drill rod. I can find the y axis easy by using a wiggler on the vise jaws but the x axis stumped me.

I was using a big V block to hold the drill rod vertical, so I finally indexed off the edge of the V block. I worked OK but is there a easier and more accurate way?????

Old Bridgeport J head, with a 2 axis DRO, a 12 inch lathe, and assorted junk....

[keebler303]

Once you find the Y axis center, you know the circle is biggest in X at the Center in Y. SO just put the Y axis on the center line and touch off both sides in X. Split that to find your center.

You can also use a test indicator in the spindle. The spindle is concentric with the shaft when the indicator needle doesn't move as the indicator is swept around the part. Basically the same as if you were centering on a bore.

Matt