Jigs and Fixtures #2: Dowel Stock Preparator!

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

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)

Very cool!

I wish those Grrippers weren’t so expensive. They look so handy.

-- Check out my new website! http://www.blakeweberwoodworking.com

Thats a cool jig!

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?

-- http://theinquisitivewoodworker.com/

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)

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.

I love that jig – so simple, effective and FREE!

-- Res severa verum gaudium - True pleasure is a serious business. http://www.folksy.com/shops/TreeGems

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

Great idea Tom. Nice job.

-- What happens in the workshop stays in the workshop. No wait that doesn't sound right. Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com †

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

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)

Has anybody used Dowel Plates? These have been on my wish list for awhile. Anyone willing to give a recommendation?

-- http://www.north40custom.com -- http://north40studios.etsy.com --

I’ve not used the dowel plate that you showed.

-- What happens in the workshop stays in the workshop. No wait that doesn't sound right. Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com †

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

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/

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

Great jig! That’s going in my favorites.

-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.

Great.

-- Jiri

The dowel plate seems to work well for shorter dowels. I’ve got one.

-- We must guard our enthusiasm as we would our life - James Krenov

That looks like a good jig and it was a great blog. I do it in a different way which you might also like.

I drill the most common size holes in a mild steel plate at 45 degree angles. This leaves a sharp edge on the top of the hole. I cut some square stock in the appropriate size, sharpen the end enough to fit into my drill chuck like you have done. After chucking it up, I run the piece through the angle hole and I have a nice dowel exactly (or exactly enough) the same diameter as the hole.

The only set-up required is to put the steel plate in a vice and make sure there is clearance underneath the plate for the dowel to come through. Eventually the steel plate will become dull, but it’s not difficult or expensive to replace.

-- Mike, American in Norway