This force is directly related to the object's net inward acceleration. In uniform circular motion, the object moves with constant speed yet changing direction. Thus, its velocity is not constant, and the acceleration is non-zero.
Place the weight, a washer or bolt, on a thread and tie it off. Hang the thread and weight from the nail in front of the cardboard. Use a pencil to draw a plumb line down the cardboard where the thread touches. This marks your center line from that hanging point.