My new DowelMax arrived last week (see Mot's discussions re: the tool) but I haven’t had time or I haven’t made the time to try it out – until today.
Why haven’t I tried it yet? Well I think I have to blame Tom’s daughter for this one—boy, if she can do it and I mess it up… oh my self-esteem will suffer!! haha
Anyway, I have a birthday party to attend this Saturday and I want to make a gift rather than buying something. My goal is to make a garden wine tray like Budman made. So the idea is in my head… and then I see the DowelMax sitting patiently, waiting to be used.
So an idea forms for making a tray of sorts with different coloured wood on the ends. This would be nice. And maybe I can take this idea and turn it into the wine glass holder as well. But first things first—the DowelMax.
1. Select the wood—well, there’s a cut off piece of shelving that Rick brought from his place of work. That would work as the main section and I cut some pieces of cedar to attach to the ends. Check.
2. Mark the edges according to the DowelMax instructions. Check.
3. Drill holes. Things are going well. I put the small piece of cedar in the tool and drill away. Great. I then put the larger piece in the vise and drilled a hole and realized that I needed to turn the wood on its side for two reasons: 1) I was too short to reach way up there and 2) it vibrated way too much. So I tilted the piece and continued to drill the holes. Check
4. Insert the dowels and hold your breath. Dowels inserted, pieces put together – matching beautifully. Why I can do this. It is REALLY easy. No worries!! CHECK.
5. Side B. Drill the cedar. Check
6. Side B. Drill the main table – but remembering that I tilted it the first time I set it up that way right from the start (See how smart I am??) And then I attached the DowelMax and drilled away…. and then it seemed to me that I was drilling an awful lot of holes this time… hmm… DOH… I was drilling the holes along the top instead of the side. Yes, I had checked the little marks (ok so obviously I didn’t REALLY check them or I would have had it done correctly) hehehe … Learning Opportunity A and learning opportunity B.
A. check the marks!!!
B. I need a plan to cover up the unwanted holes rather than having to trim the piece. (I’m seeing plugs of some sort in my future. And it will really make this piece beautiful.) I’ll have to go watch Dick's video again)
... and then I drilled the correct edge, Check.
7. insert the dowels and voila … a beautiful beginning for a serving tray/ wine glass holder/ birthday present!
-- ~ Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)
14 comments so far
mot
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#1 posted 2177 days ago
Awesome! I have the 1/4” guides now. I’m going to do a little setup with those. For drilling 1/2 and 5/8, they should work great.
One of the things about Dowelmax is that you instantly get cocky about those little checkmarks and x’s. Paraphrasing Jim, the inventor, “Put the checkmarks on your workpiece, because it’s easy to get confused.”
He’s right. Even after using the tool a fair amount, I still get turned around sometimes. I’m glad you like using it. It’s fun, easy, precise and will last you a lifetime and more.
The tray looks great so far! I won’t tell you how many times it took my daughter to line it up right…well, okay, I will…first time. LOL…I couldn’t resist. She has trouble with vector calculus, if that’s any consolation.
-- You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation. (Plato)
WayneC
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#2 posted 2177 days ago
Looks great Deb.
-- We must guard our enthusiasm as we would our life - James Krenov
MsDebbieP
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#3 posted 2177 days ago
you are indeed evil Mr. Spid-ato man!!!
first time.. argh!! lol
well mine lined up perfectly first time too—until I did the second side, lined it up and then put the clamp on sideways!! :) lol
It was SO easy and when I put the sides together I was SO impressed.
What a great investment. It really opens the doors to bigger and better things for me.
(thanks Wayne :) )
-- ~ Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)
Dick, & Barb Cain
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#4 posted 2177 days ago
I looked at some demo videos just this morning, & the DowelMax looks like a great tool. Having the DowelMax as a prize in the summer contest, will be something to strive for.
It looks like your going to have a nice tray when it’s done.
I’m glad you liked my video on making facets on square plugs.
-- -** You are never to old to set another goal or to dream a new dream ****************** Dick, & Barb Cain, Hibbing, MN. http://www.woodcarvingillustrated.com/gallery/member.php?uid=3627&protype=1
MsDebbieP
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#5 posted 2177 days ago
thanks .. I hope it keeps getting better and better … and that I can do those little square peggy things well enough so they look nice.
-- ~ Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)
Bob Babcock
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#6 posted 2177 days ago
Nice Deb!
....the evil tool spouting festoolian mind bending make me want to buy more tools Spid-ato man has you in his clutches….soon you will be drawn to shiny adjustable jigs and fixtures of all types…..I sense a festool domino in your future….
-- Bob, Carver Massachusetts, Sawdust Maker http://www.capecodbaychallenge.org
Dick, & Barb Cain
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#7 posted 2177 days ago
If you don’t want them to burn, just use new sandpaper on the disk, & feed gently. I used about a 220 grit.
-- -** You are never to old to set another goal or to dream a new dream ****************** Dick, & Barb Cain, Hibbing, MN. http://www.woodcarvingillustrated.com/gallery/member.php?uid=3627&protype=1
MsDebbieP
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#8 posted 2177 days ago
lol Bob.. don’t think that is going to happen – especially since the DowelMax works so well. :D
Dick… I never thought of the “burn” effect..
-- ~ Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)
mot
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#9 posted 2177 days ago
MuwahhhahahahAHAHAhahahahahhaaHAHAHA! Spid-ato Man loves to help people spend money on quality tools!
-- You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation. (Plato)
Dick, & Barb Cain
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#10 posted 2177 days ago
Share the wealth Spid-ato Man!
-- -** You are never to old to set another goal or to dream a new dream ****************** Dick, & Barb Cain, Hibbing, MN. http://www.woodcarvingillustrated.com/gallery/member.php?uid=3627&protype=1
MsDebbieP
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#11 posted 2177 days ago
well, Evil-One… I am grateful for the introduction to the DowelMax. Wouldn’t have bought it without you. But I’m holding on to my $$$. No Domino for this Canuck.
(See?? I don’t have to have ALL of the toys.)
-- ~ Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)
oscorner
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#12 posted 2177 days ago
Great work, Debbie. It looks like we’ll be seeing more from you with your new DowelMax in hand. ;^)
-- Jesus is Lord!
woodspar
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#13 posted 2177 days ago
Nice, Debbie. I like the contrasting woods. Maybe you have inspired me to make a tray. Thanks for the extra detail you provided.
-- John
MsDebbieP
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#14 posted 2177 days ago
thanks.
Yes, I’ll be making lots of things with the new tool. It’s pretty cool and easy!!!
thanks John. It does look pretty – and to think, it was just to test out the tool.
-- ~ Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)
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