Replies

1. 
   eddiefromAustralia | Jul 24, 2005 03:47am | #1

   Hi Stan,

    

   No need to allow for swelling - use a 3/8" bit.

   Cheers,

   eddie

2. 
   RickL | Jul 24, 2005 04:27am | #2

   I concur...use a 3/8" bit. In addition if using a regular dowel make a saw kerf the length of the dowel to allow for glue flow. Chamfer the ends as well. A better dowel has flutes or spiral grooves to allow for even glue flow along the length.

1. 
   stancalow | Jul 25, 2005 12:59am | #3

   thanks Eddie and Rick

3. 
   jazzdogg | Jul 25, 2005 03:52am | #4

   Stan,

   In order to make doweling easier, the bit in the horizontal boring machine used to bore holes for 3/8" dowels at school is 1/64" over-size. Feels a little sloppy if you just stick a dowel in the hole and wiggle, but by the time the stiles and rails are all glued-up, there's no appreciable slop in the joints.

   You can also dry out your dowels to shrink them slightly, or compress them slightly with pliars or a vise, applying glue at the last possible minute to minimize premature swelling.

   Good luck,

   -Jazzdogg-

   "Don't ask youself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive." Gil Bailie

4. 
   cherryjohn | Jul 26, 2005 04:29am | #5

   U se a 3/8 in drill for a 3/8" dowel but I usually score the dowel with a pair of pliers first.  This will give places for the glue to flowand it make the dowels fit a bit better.  Has anyone ever tried that L-N dowling plate?  What a tool that is.  I use it all the time and it works great

    

   Wicked Decent Woodworks

   (oldest woodworking shop in NH)

   Rochester NH

   " If the women dont find you handsome, they should at least find you handy........yessa!"

5. 
   tailsorpins | Jul 27, 2005 11:34pm | #6

   If you're pinning a tenon, and the pin will be visible in the finished piece, I would not deface the dowel in any way. If you are dowelling butt joints, then it's another matter and spiral dowels or fluted dowels are recommended.  Squeezing smooth dowels with a pair of pliers works well ... but not for pinning M & T joints.

   John in Texas