Square pegs add both strength and decoration to frame joints of all kinds. While my personal favorites are ebony with a pyramid shape, ebony is pricey and can be hard to find. I recently discovered I can use my bench grinder to burn the ends of walnut plugs, darkening the wood and forming the little pyramids at the same time. Use the finest wheel on your grinder, and dress the edge flat. Then all you have to do is add a little right-angle fence to the tool rest, and set the rest at 20° to the wheel. Feed the stock carefully into the wheel on all four sides. With a little practice you’ll get a consistent pyramid shape, with the slight burning action of the wheel leaving the end grain smooth and dark. To cut the pegs to length, I use a bench hook and fine saw.

—JIM COX, East Aurora, N.Y.

Illustrations by Dan Thornton
From Fine Woodworking issue #291

Fine Woodworking Recommended Products

Festool DF 500 Q-Set Domino Joiner

This joinery machine revolutionized woodworking for so many. There is no easier way to get mortise and tenon joints—but it comes at a cost.

Buy at Amazon

Olfa Knife

Comfortable plastic handle with a break off blade. A tool for breaking off the blade is built into the handy pocket clip.

Buy at Amazon

Ridgid EB4424 Oscillating Spindle/Belt Sander

With five spindles sized from 1/2 in. to 2 in. and a 4 X 24-in. belt, this sander has become a staple in many a shop Fine Woodworking visits.

Buy at Amazon