Replies

1. 
   darbynwoods | Jan 11, 2006 06:04am | #1

   Cincinnati Dowel & Wood Products::
   Cincinnati Dowel and Wood Products is your best source for dowels, plugs, pins,
   buttons, pegs, and biscuits. Species include: oak, maple, poplar, beech, ...
   www.cincinnatidowel.com/ - 11k - Cached - Similar pages

1. 
   alanplanesaw | Jan 11, 2006 07:00am | #2

   Thank you!!!!!  I'll check 'em out.

   Alan - planesaw

2. 
   byhammerandhand | Jan 12, 2006 03:02am | #4

   Another choice is Midwest dowel, on the west side of Cincinnati:http://www.midwestdowel.com/

1. 
   alanplanesaw | Jan 12, 2006 05:53am | #6

   Darbynwoods and byhammerandhand --

   Either of you know whether Cincinnati or Midwest is better?  Quality of wood?  Midwest is fair amount higher than Cincinnati.

   Alan - planesaw

1. 
   byhammerandhand | Jan 12, 2006 04:22pm | #9

   I have only used Midwest and have been happy with them. They are a manufacturer, not just a retailer. They used to be close to where I lived before we both moved out a bit.

2. 
   dondownunder | Jan 11, 2006 12:04pm | #3

   Alan

   If you get stuck, as I have on occassion when I required an odd species, try using a 3/16" round over bit in the router table. Just machine up some 3/8" square cherry. I've found that relatively short lengths are best, say 12-18", preferably less than the depth of your router table & if you don't route the whole length, leaving for example an inch or two at each end to bear on the fence & table the stock doesn't tend to twist during machining & four passes will do the job.  I hope this doesn't complicate what is a pretty simple job.

   Don

1. 
   alanplanesaw | Jan 12, 2006 05:52am | #5

   Thanks.  Hadn't thought of making them that way.  Since I need about 45 to 50, I will probably buy some.

   Alan - planesaw

3. 
   DougU | Jan 12, 2006 09:37am | #7

   Alan

   I just bought 50 3/8" cherry dowels from Woodworkers supply.

   http://www.woodworker.com

   Catalog no. 203009, cant find what I paid for them though.

   Doug

1. 
   alanplanesaw | Jan 12, 2006 03:17pm | #8

   I bought from Woodworkers Supply the last time.  Took two or three times for them to get the order straight and I was late with the project as a result.  They sent white, then 1 inch, then a variety before getting what I ordered.  I know anyone can have a bad day, but I can't afford the delays again.

   And, if Cincinnati's are good quality then they are considerably cheaper.  I am giving them a try.

   Thanks,

   Alan - planesaw

4. 
   pzgren | Jan 13, 2006 07:57am | #10

   Buy a dowelling plate from LN, and then you can make whatever size dowels you need from any wood you want, at your convenience.

1. 
   user-83659 | Jan 14, 2006 09:06pm | #11

   I second that thought

   Peter

2. 
   alanplanesaw | Jan 16, 2006 12:24am | #12

   I need about 60 dowels.   I have no experience with the jig/plate you are talking about.  How good is the finish on a dowel you make?  How do they work?

   Alan - planesaw

1. 
   pzgren | Jan 17, 2006 06:32pm | #13

   Alan,

     Making a dowel is real simple: take a piece (square, roughly round, etc) of wood that's more or less the size of the desired dowel diameter, chamfer one end and insert it into the appropriate size cutting hole; then pound the wood through with a wooden or deadblow mallet. The finish is pretty smooth, at least with those I've made so far. At most a little touch up with some 220 sandpaper is needed.

   Here's a link to the dowel plate on the LN site.

   http://www.lie-nielsen.com/catalog.php?grp=1239

   There's also a link to a good article on dowel-making by David Charlesworth on the above web page.

   James