13
votes
Accepted
How can I make my own dowels?
LeeG's method of using a router table is good though you can add finger boards.
After getting the blanks nearly round with the router you can jig up a chisel in a block of wood so it ends up looking ...
- 4,454
13
votes
How can I make my own dowels?
Three methods I know of. First is a dowel plate. You trim your wood to approximate size and use a mallet to pound it through smaller and smaller holes until it is the size you want.
You can also ...
- 8,036
10
votes
Accepted
How can I flute my own dowel or create dowel with similar properties
That style of dowel would be difficult to emulate.
Not so much actually! You can do a decent job of simulating this texture by simply gripping the dowel in pliers, vice-grips etc. and drawing it ...
- 61.8k
10
votes
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What is the cheapest way to create a right triangle out of a square dowel rod or similar?
You can buy what you need already fabricated. Search "champfer strip". Here's a Home Depot link: http://www.homedepot.com/p/Alexandria-Moulding-3-4-in-x-3-4-in-Pine-Chamfer-Strip-Moulding-0W995-200RLC/...
- 1,072
9
votes
Accepted
Is there a better way to make a wand?
I've made several wands on my lathe and it works just fine. I've gotten them down to close to a 1/4" thickness.
However, there is vibration and chatter that happens so, you have a couple options. ...
- 15.4k
8
votes
How do I flatten portions of a 1" dowel equally on both sides?
Belt Sander
This seems like an obvious choice. It might not make perfect corners on the new dowel but I can't imagine people will be looking up at where this meets. Very easy to remove stock quickly ...
- 20.1k
8
votes
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How can I make a dowel with a table saw?
The hole in the pictured jig should have the same diameter as the diagonal measurement of the square stock that's to be made into a dowel. If you're feeding round stock through to make a smaller ...
- 4,338
8
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Reduce diameter of a dowel (preferably efficiently)?
While you can sand dowels to reduce their diameter it's not the most efficient method even to take off just a millimetre or two, and it's difficult to ensure consistency along the length. Especially ...
- 61.8k
7
votes
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What is the functional purpose of fluted dowel?
There are two main purposes that I know of. First, the flutes allow air to escape and glue to fill the voids as you are inserting the dowels. Without them, it is possible that you would not be able ...
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7
votes
How can I make my own dowels?
I have tried several methods. I'll list them below and comment:
Using Mattias Wandel's "pencil sharpener" method.
This works moderately well but I found that the dowels had spiral grooves in them. ...
- 4,176
6
votes
Using smooth dowel pegs
The main reason for for the grooves in the pegs is to increase the surface area for the glue to adhere to. You get a lot more surface area, which gives more bonding strength. My dowels have straight ...
- 15.4k
6
votes
How do I flatten portions of a 1" dowel equally on both sides?
Forget squaring round dowels. If you want one side round for looks, it's much easier to round a square than vise-versa.
Go to any lumber yard or big box store and find a 1" x 4" x 6' (or 1" x 6" x 6'...
6
votes
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Is there a reference for how much weight a dowel rod can support before breaking?
While a 1/4" pair of dowels would likely be able to hold a guitar if left alone, a good twisting bump might break them off. A 1/2" dowel would be plenty, and I think a 3/4" dowel (at 3-4") would be ...
- 15.4k
6
votes
Is there a better way to make a wand?
I cannot attest to the use of the lathe for something that small. That is bowlturner's domain after all. This answer also touches on making dowels with a lathe so, in theory, it could be turned.
I'm ...
- 20.1k
6
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What is the cheapest way to create a right triangle out of a square dowel rod or similar?
I would not want to start with 1/2" x 1/2" square stock unless you have a table saw. Trying to rip small stock with the tools you listed would be quite difficult (and dangerous).
Instead, start with ...
- 5,460
6
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Is there a way to extend the length of a dowel blade?
TL;DR
Return or sell the 2x4, "drill bit" / "dowel blade" and/or skip lunch and use the money to buy a pack of 1000 ready-made dowels online.
Is there a way to extend the length of a dowel blade?
...
- 1,834
6
votes
Accepted
Difference between commercial joinery dowels and smooth dowels
Dowels for joints I think are usually called fluted or grooved.
Fluted dowels are usually made of hardwood and the plain dowel you link to is made of pine. Not equal. For the same diameter hardwood is ...
- 2,109
6
votes
Accepted
How do I get good glue coverage with a very small, 2-3mm, dowels?
Following the usual rule of thumb, the 6mm thick wood suggests 2-3mm dowels are as large as I should go (this is about 1/16 inch).
3mm is maybe pushing it (as it leaves only a quarter of the wood's ...
- 61.8k
5
votes
How can I make my own dowels?
I was quite surprised by your assertion that you can't make dowel on a lathe. So I asked my uncle, and we went out to the shop and made some on the lathe. It is not hard, just slow. To control ...
- 300
5
votes
Accepted
making or buying a wooden tap?
To buy
Once you're received the tap and done any necessary cleanup/renovation work on it to be serviceable you prepare your dowel1, thread a portion of it, then determine what the pitch and profile is....
- 61.8k
4
votes
Considerations when making my own threaded dowel for a vise
Excellent answer already from grfrazee, just wanted to add some practical options.
The tool to use would be one just like this (but not necessarily this one):
I see in the Comments that you say ...
- 61.8k
4
votes
Accepted
Considerations when making my own threaded dowel for a vise
If I am going to make threaded dowel for a vise what do I need to consider. I can think of two things.
Wood Something like a maple; at least a hardwood minimum
I think you'll find that a lot of ...
- 12.1k
4
votes
Reduce diameter of a dowel (preferably efficiently)?
Chuck the dowel in a drill and make a jig. Two pieces of wood 90 degrees. Glue sandpaper to them and then turn on the drill. Depending on how much you want to take off and it doesn't sound like much I ...
- 301
4
votes
Affixing a dowel to the bottom of a piece of board
The joint you are probably thinking of is a mortise and tenon joint. Such a joint is very strong, but strength is relative. If you have the top securely fastened to the file cabinet, and only need ...
- 8,036
4
votes
How can I inwardly round off the end of a dowel?
You can use your drill. You'll need a bit whose size is the same as the diameter of the inner curve you want to cut. Clamp your dowel stock firmly, position the drill so the outer edge of the bit is ...
- 2,602
4
votes
Accepted
Replacing a 1/2 dowel with a 3/4 dowel
but it occurred to me that my 3/4" dowel rod might yield a stronger leg then the previous 1/2" whatever they used
It would, but the strength might not really be needed. 1/2" dowel in a good wood is ...
- 61.8k
4
votes
Joining MDF - Pocket holes vs dowels
I would definitely recommend the dowels. The greatest stresses will be in tension trying to pull the boards apart and breaking the connection of the screw or dowel with the boards. Both the dowel and ...
- 7,964
4
votes
Strengthened leg miter joint with spline [key]
The plans call for a domino or dowel, plus a spline for added strength.
Just so you know, this is probably overkill.
Many such legs are reinforced by just one means, not two, and the tables survive ...
- 61.8k
4
votes
How big hole can I drill in edge of plywood?
As I was reading this I was thinking there is nothing wrong with doing this, a 3/4" dowel should be able to be drilled and glued in with no problems. Then I read the part about being the back of ...
- 15.4k
3
votes
What is the functional purpose of fluted dowel?
If I understand correctly that shape will allow the dowel to be inserted easily but make it harder to move around?
Nope. The chamfered end is what makes insertion easier (always advisable to do this ...
- 61.8k
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