Today I needed to make some new idler wheels for my 1X42" belt sander. I needed to center stock in my three-jaw that was too short to index off the back of the chuck. Over to my round-to-it file to pull the picture of Frank Ford’s stock centering roller.

A 4-1/2" piece of 1/2" square CRS, two SHCS (button head would have looked better)

and two bearings (cannibalized from a printer I disassembled).


Drill and tap a couple of holes and assemble.

Round-up a spare tool holder.


Tool in position to use. I put this piece of stock in the chuck just to show the use of the tool.

It can also be used on long stock.

Most of you probably have one of these already in your tool box but I haven't seen a post on one. Besides I'm an old noob so humor me.

Cheers,
Andy