Complete Your Workshop with the Best Dowel Jig for Woodworking Projects

Are y'all ready to install that new kitchen cabinet but are terrified of working with dowels? Luckily for you, today's topic is all about dowel jigs.

View in gallery

Nosotros're going to teach you what they're for, how to employ them, and how to pick the best i based on factors such as cost, durability, and what you need information technology for.

What Is a Dowel Jig?

A dowel jig is a especially designed piece of equipment that guides a drill through the process of making dissimilar holes. With the help of a competent jig, the issue of layout and accurate alignment becomes much more than manageable.

Various dowel jigs are available from tool manufacturers.  Making your own doweling jigs may not evangelize the correct results you seek since the hole centers must be properly aligned and cuts need to be made at a xc-degree angle to the edge of the stock.

Doweling jigs that are used as drill guides feature metal bushings that the drill bits are put into afterwards they have been dowelled. The bushing ensures that the bit is held in the proper position, both in the center of the workpiece and square to the edge of the workpiece that is beingness drilled. The majority of doweling jigs are supplied with a variety of sleeves to adjust various drill flake sizes

How Practise I Use a Dowel Jig?

Using a dowel jig is amazingly piece of cake, so here are the steps to follow:

• With a pencil, mark the places of the dowels where the parts should be placed. The techniques are the same for all joints.
• The middle lines on the jig cake should line upwards with the pencil lines you've fatigued.
• After you've secured the jig in identify with the screw, drill the dowel holes with a drill flake.
• Add dowels and glue to create a joint that is fast, sturdy, and properly aligned.

Naturally, the verbal instructions depend on the type of joint yous're looking to make, which tin be an offset joint, an L-joint, an edge articulation, or a T-joint.

How to Buy a New Dowel Jig

When shopping for a dowel jig, here are the most important considerations to look into and then you'll always terminate up spending money on a product that yous're really going to use.

Price

Dowel jigs are available in a variety of designs, with a range of prices to suit your budget. However, they are ofttimes fragile or simply difficult to use. If we were to classify dowel jigs based on their price, the common categories would exist:

• Basic models, with prices that range from $25 to $40. The most fundamental jigs characteristic holes that are sized to accommodate various drill bits. The jig must exist moved if you want to utilize more than than 1 dowel in a single joint. Consequently, this type should just be used in emergencies or if you have a limited budget to work with.
• Bushings that price between $40 and $threescore. Some jigs are supplied with bushings of varying sizes, which are screwed into threaded holes in the frame.
• Models with more bushing holes, priced between $l and $75. There are four threaded holes of this blazon. You'll take more than flexibility in terms of spacing betwixt holes, and y'all'll be able to drill four holes without having to motility the jig.
• Extra-chapters models, priced at more than $60. Jigs with a large capacity can handle stock up to 6 inches in diameter or more.

Brand Quality

As ever, brands with a reputation don't unremarkably need an introduction because they're really proficient at what they exercise, especially when information technology comes to tools. Even when you lot're looking for something as simple as a dowel jig, you should know that some brands will more probable have meliorate products compared to names nobody has ever heard of.

Warranty

Believe it or not, a dowel jig can accept warranty coverage of upwardly to a decade. Good products (the ones that manufacturers swear past) usually have warranty periods of around 5 years, which is notwithstanding pretty impressive. Make sure you carefully read the modest print in the warranty claims before making a buy.

What You Intend to Use Information technology For

The majority of dowel jigs are highly adaptable. Still, they may not be ideal for all forms of joint construction. Before you larn a certain model, make sure yous are aware of the complete set of features it offers.

Purchasing a basic dowel jig may plough out to be more cost-effective in the brusk term, but people with feel in woodworking may want to consider investing in a more adaptable one to maximize their productivity.

As mentioned before, a dowel jig is commonly used to create joints, so it sometimes depends on the verbal joints you're looking to make in lodge to narrow downwardly your production search. Y'all will need to figure out if your futurity dowel joint will be put to use to make drawers, kitchen cabinets, or chairs.

Bushing Size

Manufacturers generally include a multifariousness of unlike bushes (the official term for the drill guide) as you lot buy the product you want, in order to provide the necessary adaptability.

Basic dowel jigs typically include one or two bushes, but some more than expensive models may accept as many as half dozen bushes or more. The common bush sizes that range from 3/sixteen inch to 1/2 inch correspond to the commonly available dowels, which can be purchased in bulk quantities at a reasonable price.

Bushing Material

You are likely to discover that depression-finish dowel jigs are fabricated with aluminum, but this is an option that should exist avoided if you lot're interested in durability, as the hard steel that drill bits are made from will cause it to wearable out.

Aluminum is a fabric to consider if you lot use a dowel jig now and and then, but for those of you that demand this tool for regular projects, you want to choose jigs made from quality materials and equipped with bushes made from hardened steel.

Clamping Ability

Handheld dowel jigs are quite productive. Nevertheless, when drilling, there is always the danger of movement, which can outcome in mistakes and possibly damage the functioning completely.

A lot of different dowel jigs are securely secured in place to prevent them from moving effectually while you're working with them. The clamping method, besides as the capacity, varies depending on the jig in question.

Certain low-cost jigs will require clamping, which ways you'll have to spend some extra money to acquire the clamps. More expensive jigs have clamping abilities on both sides, making them easier to operate.

Ease of Use

Some woodworkers appreciate the inclusion of features such as self-centering and the selection to choose from six dissimilar bushes. Some people, however, who operate with similar-sized lumber regularly may not need to replace bushes or handle variable widths, and so do not crave a high-end ane.

If you're non a professional but rather someone who is passionate most DIY woodworking projects, you desire to choose a jig that'southward easy to operate and gives you lot the possibility to clench the jig to the forest piece for meliorate drilling accuracy.

The vii Best Dowel Jigs

With everything you now know near dowel jigs, let's take a wait at some of the all-time and most competitive products in the category.

wolfcraft 3751405 Dowel Pro Doweling Jig Kit

View in gallery

Specs:

• Warranty: v years
• Cost range: less than $50
• All-time overall

Using Wolfcraft's unique alignment jig, it'due south never been easier to accurately marshal and drill dowel holes. The jig is constructed of sturdy cast aluminum and has nine pre-aligned hole guides, which eliminate the need for measuring and mark the hole after information technology has been cutting.

Each pigsty guide is made of hardened steel bushings, which ensures that the jig will last for a long time. The revolutionary clamp method allows for the drilling of boards that are being linked at the same fourth dimension. In the box, you go the jig, 2 clamps, 60 dowel pins of various sizes, and three depth stops.

Pros:

• Includes 60 dowels.
• Works with multiple joint connections.
• Doweling guide included.

Cons:

• Complaints about accuracy.

Dowelmax Archetype 3/8 Precision Engineered Joining Organization

View in gallery

Specs:

• Warranty: N/A
• Cost range: $200 – $300
• Best for professionals

When it comes to versatility, this Dowelmax kit is one of the best choices out in that location. The Dowelmax jig is not intended for do-it-yourselfers, and in that location is a lilliputian learning bend involved in using it successfully.

Individual Dowelmax articulation types and sizes include single-row, double-row, and triple-row joints every bit well every bit flush, offset, miter-cut, face-cut, and "T" joint configurations.  It is intended to exist used for a lifetime, as the Dowelmax Kit is of professional-grade construction and is perfectly engineered for longevity.

Pros:

• Long-lasting.
• Includes hardened steel drill guides.
• Loftier versatility.

Cons:

• Learning bend, not for beginners.

Milescraft 1309 DowelJigKit

View in gallery

Specs:

• Warranty: xc days
• Price range: less than $50
• Best for limited budgets

Whether yous need to make a kitchen chiffonier or you're looking to put together a new outdoor wooden bench, the Milescraft 1309 DowelJigKit comes with everything needed to see your dowel work through.

Drill bits are included, every bit well equally dowels in each of the iii sizes specified in the instructions. As an added bonus, it includes steel centers that let you move hole positions from ane piece of timber to some other in seconds. All of the components are kept together in a durable casing.

Pros:

• Convenient carrying/storage example.
• Like shooting fish in a barrel to employ.
• Included mucilage.

Cons:

• Hard to accomplish precision.

Woodworking Dowel Jig

View in gallery

Specs:

• Warranty: N/A
• Price range: less than $l
• All-time for beginners

Although this handheld dowel jig appears to exist quite similar to other depression-cost products from the same category, it incorporates a vertical contend that clamps to the workpiece, allowing for more than precision. It is a cocky-centered jig made from plastic and features a metal sleeve.

Information technology is the kind of tool that yous need as a beginner or a DIY enthusiast because it doesn't cost much, and so yous can learn your way around working with dowels and wood without spending a fortune on a high-stop product. The package also includes three wood drill bits.

Pros:

• Very easy to use.
• Cocky-centered tool.
• Include iii wood drill $.25.

Cons:

• Questionable long-term durability.

AUTOTOOLHOME Cocky Centering Doweling Jig

View in gallery

Specs:

• Warranty: N/A
• Toll range: less than $50
• Best self-centering

This is one of the most interesting dowel jigs we've seen and then far because information technology uses a parallelogram design that is ever trustworthy and never fails to detect dead centre when used.  The 2d alignment pick allows you to drill a serial of holes around the edge of a lath that is evenly spaced autonomously.

When attaching the bar end-finish, you lot tin drill two or three end grain holes that are properly spaced autonomously. This feature enables for precise alignment of the face frame stiles, besides as the pinnacle and lesser rails of the frame. The convenient inch scale allows yous to place the end with pinpoint accuracy.

Pros:

• Versatile tool.
• Self-centered.
• Works with different thickness levels.

Cons:

• Could be more accurate.

Drill Guide Dowel Kit Jig with 6 Bushings

View in gallery

Specs:

• Warranty: N/A
• Price range: less than $50
• Best for cylindrical lumber

Probably one of the most underrated dowel jigs we constitute while doing our research was the one by Taytools. This is a set that doesn't cost very much only somehow manages to evangelize more than you'd expect because the price.

It comes with the post-obit bush sizes: 3/16", one/4", five/16", iii/8", vii/16, and 1/2″, plus centering pins. It'due south besides probably 1 of the easiest tools to utilize, making it some other great option for beginners that don't want to spend besides much money on a fancier production from the start.

Pros:

• Comes with centering pins.
• Good for multiple hole types.
• Convenient see-through base.

Cons:

• Requires exercise for accurateness.

BIG HOR Dowel Drilling Jig Kit

View in gallery

Specs:

• Warranty: Northward/A
• Price range: less than $fifty
• Easiest to use

Designed to exist meaty and portable, the Large HORN dowel jig is one of the all-time items for beginners besides considering it's very uncomplicated to apply. Because it'southward lightweight, you lot can manipulate information technology with ease, which is super-of import for someone who has never used a jig before.

Its top surface is fabricated of articulate acrylic and is combined with the long-lasting hardened steel drill bushes, admitting the manufacturer only offers a single size: ane/4 inch. This method is straightforward and requires no transfer markings from the face to the border, nor does it necessitate the use of a tape mensurate.

Pros:

• Meaty and lightweight.
• Piece of cake to use.
• Quality construction.

Cons:

• Requires a piffling adjusting before use.

Woodworking Projects Using a Dowel Jig

DIY Modernistic Wooden Toy Box

View in gallery

A toy box is an essential storage solution and 1 that's pretty versatile considering that it can be used to store more than just toys. This tutorial teaches you how to brand a toy box with a lid, and you lot can definitely make use of a dowel jig to drill pocket holes in your plywood pieces.

DIY Retro Rainbow Wooden Dresser

View in gallery

Who knew that making a wooden dresser tin exist so easy (rainbow or non, since you can paint information technology in the colors of your selection)? For this particular projection, yous're going to demand multiple lumber pieces, some clamps, pocket screws, nails, and wood glue. With a dowel jig, y'all can drill precise holes without too much problem, ending upwards with a drawer that seems store-bought instead of handmade.

Copper Wood Planter

View in gallery

This copper forest planter would make a gorgeous addition to just about any home manner, and making 1 is peculiarly easy if y'all follow this tutorial. As y'all'll learn from the article, at that place are two dissimilar ways to make this, so you'll besides learn how to see this project through even if you don't accept power tools. Naturally, it will exist easier and faster with a dowel jig.

Related: Woods Moisture Meter – One Of The Essential Tool For Woodworking

DIY Stair Handrail

View in gallery

Although information technology may appear to be a difficult process, replacing a simple stair railing can be accomplished with only a few simple tools. This tutorial is here to testify you how to remove your old stair railing, build a new ane, and then install and secure it. The dowel jig will go a long way in helping yous create the frame for your new handrail, so brand certain you accept one before starting this project.

Related: The Best Bombardment Powered Chainsaw For Small-scale Woodworking Jobs

How To Build A Table Using Industrial Galvanized Pipes

View in gallery

If yous want an industrial-style table that doesn't cost a fortune, Homedit will teach yous how to make your own. Since it uses a wooden tabletop, this project is so much easier to see through with the aid of a dowel jig. Yous'll likewise need pipes of dissimilar sizes, floor mounts, and cease caps.

FAQ

Question: How practice you brand a dowel without a jig?

Yous can build your own jig or you can work your way around the need for such a tool if you make the correct measurements, align everything properly, and take your time with dowel drilling.

Question: Do I need a jig for dowels?

There are multiple means to make a dowel without a jig, but having 1 is recommended considering it makes the job faster and more authentic.

Question: Are dowels stronger than screws?

Yes. Dowels are stronger than screws considering they have extra property power given by the glue that reinforces their strength.

The Wrap Up on Dowel Jigs

Wolfcraft's doweling jig offers a great production for a competitive toll, delivering accurateness for those with patience to learn how to use it. It works with multiple joint types and includes a handy user guide. Likewise, if you lot'd like to see more cool woodworking projects or learn about the appropriate tools, make sure to bank check out the other sections of our website!

smithhathand.blogspot.com

Source: https://www.homedit.com/dowel-jig/

Share this post