Replies

1. 
   JohnH | Apr 16, 2006 04:17pm | #1

   I have used several hundred to reinforce butt joints. They do everything the manufacturer claims. They don't jam halfway in; the stepped taper means fewer mistakes with dowels coming through the side of a workpiece. Based on others' experience, the main criticism is that some FWWs feel than dowels are not consistent with fine woodworking. Using dowels is a matter of opinion and taste. But if you are going to use dowels, the Miller dowel is a useful option.

1. 
   JMartinsky | Apr 16, 2006 06:24pm | #2

   Dear John,
   Thanks for your input. I'm not all that concerned about what others think is "fine woodworking". I work commercially and I am looking for and improvement over screws as sometimes I have to go back and cut through a joint and dowels are much kinder to carbide than screws! I have had dowels jam up on me, so the "Miller" looks to be an improvement.Thanks Again,John

2. 
   THintz | Apr 16, 2006 11:54pm | #3

   I got hooked on the Miller Dowels while reviewing the system for my site. (link to that review below) they certainly are not the end all in woodworking fastening but work at least as well as they claim and with a little thinking, you can come up with some very good uses for them, including replacing screws in many instances.

   One of the places I like using them is to add security to dado joints where a screw does not have enough material to work properly. Drill and tap in the Miller Dowel and you get a good mechanical bond between the parts and a nice looking "dowel" on the surface after finishing. And, all in one step.

   I still use screws and brads (Yes, I said the "B" word) but more and more, I am turning to the Miller Dowels.

    

   http://www.newwoodworker.com/reviews/millerdowelrvu.html

   Tom Hintz

   Because there is always more to learn!

1. 
   Napie | Apr 17, 2006 03:40am | #4

   I just used them this afternoon to repair a friends 50 year old kids rocking chair.  Great new idea, I find new ways to use them all the time.

3. 
   bigfootnampa | Apr 17, 2006 05:17am | #5

   The quality of the machining on these dowels is amazing!  They will impress you if you test them.  Not like traditional doweling at all.  They are sort of a hybrid between dowels and biscuits.  More versatile and stronger than either though.