Replies

1. 
   nazard | Nov 20, 2006 03:54am | #1

   3/8"

   The glue will act as a lube.

   Good luck!

2. 
   ring | Nov 20, 2006 08:29am | #2

   Use 3/8". Your dowels should be notched or grooved to provide space for glue.

   DR

1. 
   Bolts | Nov 20, 2006 08:55am | #3

   DittoYou can make it fool proof but not idiot proof 

3. 
   BG | Nov 20, 2006 02:10pm | #4

   Woodworker418,
   Take your dowel and a pair of pliers and crimp the stock....up and down its length.

1. 
   munchkin1 | Nov 20, 2006 07:08pm | #5

   take your crosscut saw and run it up and down the side of the dowel this will give the nessesary groves for the glue to escape, thank God it is not whisky or I would be there to sample the nectar Patrick.

1. 
   arthouse | Nov 20, 2006 09:54pm | #6

    Hi. Iv'e had the same problem before and have corrected it by grinding a hair more off one side of my drill's cutting edge, this will cause it to wander slightly and have the drill cut just a few thou. over size, just enough to allow the dowel to fit a little less snuggly. Dowels always seem to be a little oversize as well as oval. Old machinist trick.

1. 
   munchkin1 | Nov 20, 2006 10:17pm | #7

    Ah? yes this is also taken into mind ~~ try puting the dowel into the chucks of  millers falls hand drill and demise with a grade of sand paper  to render spesific size then flute with teeth of saw for glue The great ascape }~#let me know out      come  remember to wipe surples glue as quick as poss.  this can set fast     stick-with it       happy bonding

4. 
   user-211435 | Nov 20, 2006 11:54pm | #8

   Why not use fluted dowels that are specifically made for this?  They really work well.

   Hal

   http://www.rivercitywoodworks.com

    

5. 
   pzgren | Nov 21, 2006 12:07am | #9

   WW418,

     As others have mentioned, your dowels may be oval or slightly oversized. Running them through a dowel plate will get them to the exact size you need, then you can groove or flute them, and use them.

   Tschüß!

   Mit freundlichen holzbearbeitungischen Grüßen aus dem Land der Rio Grande!!

   James

6. 
   BruceS | Nov 21, 2006 02:26am | #10

   I make it a practice to over drill dowel hole depth on each side by 1/8" to 3/16" especially with those tight fitting ridged dowels(room for excess glue).  Nothing worse than having an 1/8" gap that won't close.  Also use glue sparingly, a little goes a long way.  I also use a Q tip to swab the hole lightly.

   Work Safe,  Count to 10 when your done for the day !!

   Bruce S. 

    

   
   

   ---

   Edited 11/20/2006 6:28 pm ET by BruceS

7. 
   Steve50 | Nov 21, 2006 07:07am | #11

   I agree with Hal on this one - use the fluted dowels.  Buying dowels and cutting to length is problematic for this application because diameters are all over the place.  It can best be done by purchasing several dowels and checking fit with your specific drill bit.

   Steve 

8. 
   9619 | Nov 21, 2006 04:37pm | #12

   418,
   If you had used a laser sensor to build a 3-D model of the dowel, and a CNC machine to mill the hole, you wouldn't be having these problems. The problem with too many modern woodworkers these days is that they scrimp on tools.

   Mel

   Measure your output in smiles per board foot. 

9. 
   Samson | Nov 21, 2006 05:34pm | #13

   A few swipes with 100 grit sandpaper can be enough to make the dowel snug, but not bind.

10. 
    oldusty | Nov 21, 2006 05:47pm | #14

    #418 ,

                   If your drill bit has been sharpened the hole it makes may be slightly undersized and cause the tight fit you speak of .

                Try a new 3/8" bit , try some different 3/8" dowels .

                      good   luck             dusty