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Dowel Joint Overview
Like any kind of joinery, dowels require some layout work up front because they aren’t very forgiving. Accurate layout work is critical!
*Tip: Most ¼” diameter dowels are 1-¼” long. If you’re using this size, your bit should stick out of the bottom of the jig by slightly more than 5/8”. You can mark the drill bit with a permanent marker so that you know how deep to drill the dowel holes when you’re using the jig. Alternatively, you could use a stop collar on the drill bit.
Using the Dowel Jig
Once you have all of the parts drilled, do a dry fit of the project to make sure everything comes together as it should. If you made any mistakes during the doweling process, you want to find out before you apply the glue. Assuming the parts fit properly, you’re now ready to assemble the project.
Finishing & Assembling the Dowel Joint
Want to see dowel joinery in action? Check out this video demonstration in which we craft a simple and sturdy end table.









