Dowelling Jig (help/advice)

[durango dude]

I was frustrated hand-aligning dowels, so decided to find a jig.

I found a complete Stanley Dowel Jig system (number 59).

Anyone know how to use it?

It did not include the box or directions.

[durango dude]

ah hah!

http://www.tooltrip.com/tooltrip9/index.htm


(back from the day that Stanley really wanted to help me do things right....)

[Mr__Bill]

That's a nice doweling jig, much better than the ones that look like it that are available today.

Just make sure that when you tighten it up on to a piece of wood that you use the same force for all the holes. There is just enough flex in the tool plus compression in the wood for uneven joints when not tightened uniformly. It's not much, perhaps half the thickness of dollar bill, just enough to feel. The second trick is to make sure that the drill guide is exactly parallel to the tool face (the part that goes against the front of the wood), I used a half inch drill bit in the half inch guide and then a dial caliper and practiced until I figured out how to do it. Even new there is some play, not much, but I expect that an older one may have more. You can quickly learn just how to hold the guide clamp so the when you tighten the knurled knob on the side the guide is as close to perfect as possible. Again the play is not much but enough to make a joint that doesn't disappear as well as you may like.

They are a good tool and you should get a lot of satisfying use from it. I bought mine sometime in the 70's and had it stolen in 95 along with most of my tools. I haven't found a replacement that I can justify the price of that is anywhere as good or versitle. (however the heck you spell it)

You will also find that the manufactured dowels with the grooves running the length make for joints that are easier to assemble. The grooves allow the glue to spread and escape if a bit too much is used. If you make your own be sure to sand some flats on the sides to serve the same purpose.

Bill

[durango dude]

Watched a great clip from Charles Neil that went through various forms of joinery.

Glad I watched it --- learned a few things!