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Drill Charging Station & DowelMax

4K views 18 replies 13 participants last post by  MsDebbieP 
#1 ·
Drill Charging Station & DowelMax

http://blip.tv/play/AYHJ2RcA

During my recent shop healing session, I realized I needed a better way to store my drills and chargers. This simple wall-hanging "box" did the trick. I also wanted to make the project fast and easy, so I decided to try out the DowelMax for the first time. The system is a breeze to use and produces strong reliable joints in just a fraction of the time it takes to create a traditional mortise and tenon.

Fee free to download the SketchUp Drawing for this project if you want to make your own. But I encourage you to use this as a starting point and build upon it. If I had more time and space, I definitely would have added a few drawers for additional storage. Also, be sure to check out the new Enduro-Var Water-Based Urethane I used on this project.

Topics Covered:
Construction of a simple charging station.
Use of the DowelMax system.
Clever solution for charging batteries safely.
 
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#5 ·
I like project videos that highlight the use of a certain tool or jig. Good job. Like a lot of old timers, I started out using dowels as a joinery technique. For one thing a doweling jig was cheap (Dowelmax = $60 back in the day). I really like the look of a dowel (peg?) with a contrasting color and sanded down flush, or slightly proud of the case. But I couldn't wait to try those fancy biscuits Nahm was using so the doweling jig was put on the shelf. The dowel joint is just as strong as a mortise and tenon, if glued properly. We have come full circle.
 
#8 ·
Oh good grief. Thanks for answering my dumb question about positioning on the sides, Marc. I only just now realized that that wasn't a photo of the final project, but an embedded movie. Now I've watched it, and I get it.

Clearly I should not be commenting on the internet before I'm fully awake.
 
#10 ·
Thanks for the post and a very nice project too, also a good basic review of the dowel max. Wish i had the dough to grab one but i have to wait till tax $$$ comes and see what i have after i buy my bandsaw. ;)
 
#12 ·
Thanks for the review of the jig and the nice project idea. If I could get to my garage walls, I'd make one. lol

I have to say I was a little alarmed when I saw you spraying that finish just a few feet from what I assume was your truck and not Nicole's. My wife would use that jig in creative ways for sure if that was me and I sprayed her car…

Best,
 
#15 ·
A great video on an overlooked joinery technique that has been around for a very long time.
I have an oak desk that was made in 1895 that contains some doweled joints.
I have several old wardrobes from the 1930's that use doweled joints.
Even the Brothers Greene did it.

Modern furniture factories, even the fine furniture variety, will use dowels.
I've seen dedicated dowelling machines that drill multiple dowel holes at a time.

I like dowels.
Sometimes I use dowels instead of tenons.
I even spell biscuit D O W E L. :)
 
#17 ·
I love the Domino Ted. But I don't use it all that often. Since the goal of our show is to educate people on woodworking techniques, its doesn't do anyone any favors if I always use a special jig or tool to do the job, regardless of how good those results are. So most times, you'll see me do my mortise and tenon joints with router and a tablesaw. But if I were building as much furniture for clients as I used to, I would definitely use tools like the DowelMax and the Domino more.
 
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