I’ve been fiddling with wooden hinges, and can’t get good dowel stock. Epecially dowel stock that matches the species of wood I’m working with. I gleaned this jig from another Rob Cosman video.
I took a 2” piece of walnut from the scrap pile. I drilled a 1/4” (0.247” actually) hole in it close to one face. I took a few passes through the drum sander to just show the hole cut. I chamfered one end to accept the workpiece stock. I clamped an old plane iron creating an awkward looking jig.
My first pass came out too thin. I clamped a playing card between the iron and the walnut. My second attempt came out at 0.247”. Blind ass luck to get it that close, however, my intent was to go for that diameter, so 2nd attempt or 12th attempt, I was in for the long haul.
Here’s the process of making the dowel:
I started by ripping a few 5/16” strips from the stock I’m using to make my box. Sorry Niki, I used the GRRipper. I don’t think it’s an accident waiting to happen. I use the GRRipper in conjunction with the MJ Splitter.
After I get a piece of oversized square stock, I chuck it up in my hand drill and use the belt sander to sharpen the end of it to go into the jig.
I wanted to knock off the edges to make more of an octagon to relieve stress on the jig. I could have done this on the tablesaw with the blade at 45, but this isn’t a precision maneuver, so I just used the belt sander. Next time I’m going to use a small parts clamp I have to knock the edges off first, then sharpen the end. This way, I had to hold them with my fingers, risking a slight manicure while I was doing it. I might have used the GRRipper for this too, but would have just been to torment, Niki.
I chuck the stock up in the drill, and then head to the jig.
This is a picture of the stock part way through the jig.
When I get near the end of the stock, I reverse the drill, chuck up the other end, and pull it through.
And the finished dowel, sitting atop my little jig.
Thanks for looking!
Tom
-- You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation. (Plato)
20 comments so far
David
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1819 posts in 620 days
posted 303 days ago
Hey Tom -
I think we are watching the same videos! I am working on the same thing. I am experimenting with using set screws to adjust the angle and set of the blade. Awesome job!
David
-- http://foldingrule.blogspot.com
mot
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4837 posts in 518 days
posted 303 days ago
David, I would have probably come up with a better way to ajust it if it hadn’t of come out spot on so quick. I’m not touching it now. Maybe my other size jigs will be a little more sophisticated, by this little 1/4” baby is a lock.
-- You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation. (Plato)
Blake
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2000 posts in 356 days
posted 303 days ago
Very cool!
I wish those Grrippers weren’t so expensive. They look so handy.
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Buckskin
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483 posts in 470 days
posted 303 days ago
Thats a cool jig!
Mike Lingenfelter
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389 posts in 596 days
posted 303 days ago
I was watching Rob’s video again the other day and thought I would try the wooden hinge soon. Are you making a box for the LJ contest?
-- Mike - http://inquisitivewoodworker.blogspot.com/
mot
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4837 posts in 518 days
posted 303 days ago
Thanks for the comments. Yes, F.Luna, it’s now the dowel plane!
Mike, I’m making the box for another purpose as I get the bugs out of the process. My prototypes are working fine and I’ve made jigs to set my fence and router bit height for a 1/4” hinge so that I can recreate the setup without too much fuss. As for the contest, that hinge may make an appearance.
-- You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation. (Plato)
Russel
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1229 posts in 421 days
posted 303 days ago
Wow, why didn’t I think of that? Oh yeah, I’m not that creative. I was just thinking I needed some dowels earlier today. Very cool.
-- When you give someone a chance it may well be their last.
YorkshireStewart
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636 posts in 383 days
posted 303 days ago
I love that jig – so simple, effective and FREE!
-- Res severa verum gaudium - True pleasure is a serious business.
Thos. Angle
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3236 posts in 444 days
posted 303 days ago
Great invention, Tom. Stanley made a dowel maker years ago. Every once in a while I’ll see one or the head which cuts the dowel. I’ve passed them up but now might not. besides this is just too simple. And way too easy. Good one, Tom
-- Thos. Angle, Owyhee Design, Oregon
Karson
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12889 posts in 882 days
posted 303 days ago
Great idea Tom. Nice job.
-- Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com
Dick, & Barb Cain
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5047 posts in 781 days
posted 303 days ago
Neat jig Tom!
It works similar to my dowel maker jig, But you don’t have to contend with a noisy router.
-- -** 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
mot
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4837 posts in 518 days
posted 303 days ago
Dick, that’s a hell of a setup… Franken-Doweler! I was pretty pleased with how quickly I got this one accurate. I’m going to be using the doweling for a little project so I’ll probably have to finagle a bit to match the radius of a router bit that it’s going to match up with. I’m interested in seeing what David’s refinements are as he’s taking into account blade set which I did not, aiming more for a pure sheer cut. For banging out quick dowel though? Man is this thing a cinch.
-- You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation. (Plato)
Peter O
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632 posts in 356 days
posted 303 days ago
Has anybody used Dowel Plates? These have been on my wish list for awhile. Anyone willing to give a recommendation?
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Karson
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12889 posts in 882 days
posted 303 days ago
I’ve not used the dowel plate that you showed.
-- Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com
Hawgnutz
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495 posts in 558 days
posted 302 days ago
Very cool. Tom! With a varied set of drill bits, the options of dowels available would be unlimited! It sure saves the $45 for teh Lie Nelson dowel maker!
God Bless,
Hawg
-- Saving barnwood from the scrapyards
cajunpen
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5348 posts in 547 days
posted 302 days ago
Great Tom. I have that Rob Cosman video too and you make the jig construction look a lot easier than he did :-)). I guess I’ll give it a shot too. Thanks for the very informative post.
-- Bill - "Suit yourself and let the rest be pleased." http://www.cajunpen.com/
RobH
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289 posts in 531 days
posted 302 days ago
Well, fiddlesticks. I just ordered a dowel making jig from Lee Valley. I may have to go home tonight and give this a try. If it works I might send the Lee Valley jig back.
This is really cool. Thanks for sharing.
-- -- Rob Hix, King George, VA
GaryK
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8482 posts in 470 days
posted 269 days ago
Great jig! That’s going in my favorites.
-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.
Jiri Parkman
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559 posts in 294 days
posted 245 days ago
Great.
-- Jiri
WayneC
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5685 posts in 579 days
posted 244 days ago
The dowel plate seems to work well for shorter dowels. I’ve got one.
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