The Dowelmax from O.M.S. Tool Co. bills itself as a “precision engineered joining system.” Based on my experience with the tool, I’d have to agree. Although at first glance it resembles the more common self-centering dowel jigs available at most hardware stores, a closer look reveals a well-thought-out and versatile design.

The jig consists of a central drill guide that contains a series of five equally spaced, 3/8-in.-dia. guide bushings. Dowelmax also offers 1/4-in.-dia. guide bushings as an option. Each side of the drill guide has a pair of removable threaded posts that accept an array of fences, shims, and clamping brackets. The interchangeable accessories make it possible to use dowel joints in almost any situation. Although the jig came with a couple of shims for joining pieces of different thicknesses, it was simple to mill my own shims for less-common dimensions.

The jig also came with a stop collar for setting the hole depth, an indexing tool for drill-hole alignment, and an adjustable gauge used to increase the distance between holes. A drill bit included with the jig was sharp and drilled many holes into hardwood (wenge) with no sign of dulling.

Note: Price updated 1/2009

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