This diy article is about how to make a dowel joint. Generally speaking, wood pegs are used when making furniture or when joining together tightly several pieces of wood. In most cases it won’t be enough to fasten the wood joint of the wooden pieces by using glue, but you also have to make a dowel joint using wood pegs. This techniques is quite old but very efficient, as it creates a secured joint between two or more wood parts.
Usually, you also have to use glue around the dowel pins, as it will enhance the strength of the wood joint, especially if you lock the components together with several clamps. After the glue has dried out, the dowel joint will be even stronger than a regular piece of wood, provided you use the proper techniques and tools. See all my Premium Plans in the Shop.
Materials
- Wood dowels / dowel pegs
- Wood glue
Tools
- Level, rubber hammer, measuring tape
- Clamps, drill machinery and bits
- Metal dowel points
- Framing square, carpenter pencil
Tips
- Read safety and disclaimer pages
- Use a good drill machine with torque control
- Use metal dowel points, as to make a proper dowel joint
- The best option is to use a dowel jig
- Leave at least 1/2” from the edge or corner of the wooden part, when drilling holes
Drilling holes for dowel joint
If you don’t have a dowel jig (which is the best option when making a dowel joint), you have to use a L-square to mark the spot where you are going to drill several holes. Consequently, first draw a line over the median of the wooden post. Next, use the l-square or a tape measure to mark the exact spots where you are going to dill the holes (in our case the intersection of the lines).
In order to get the job done in a professional manner, we have to use wood dowels and a sharp drill bit. Most dowel pegs range from 1/2” up to 1/4”, according to the type of your project. If you want to joint together furniture boards, you have to use in most cases 1/4” dowel pegs, as for bigger parts you can install 1/2” wood dowels.
Next, use a good drill machinery with torque control to drill several holes. If the pieces of wood you want to lock together are no larger than 3-4”, then 2 wood plugs will do just fine.
When drilling the holes make sure you hold the drill machinery perpendicular on the wood board’s surface. Although it might look difficult to drill the holes without a dowel jig, we assure you can do it with little practice.
Drilling the mating holes in the other wood part
Next, we have to drill the holes in the other half of the wood joint. Consequently, we have to use metal dowel points, as to make sure the two components are aligned properly. Put the dowel point in the drilled holes, making sure they are set accurately into position.
Next, place the second component over the first piece of wood, making sure their edges are perfectly aligned. If you are joining two small pieces, then you could set the components together beside a straight wall or a work bench.
Next, we have to drill holes in the second piece of wood, as to join together the two halves using dowels. As to make sure the two parts will match each other, you have to drill holes over the marks, using the same technique described above.
Next, as our project regarding how to join wood with dowels is almost done, we have to install the dowel pegs. Consequently, pour a little wood glue in the holes and them tap firmly the wood dowels until you have inserted half of them.
Last but not least, we have fastened the dowel joint by locking together the two wood pieces. Before tapping the top part with a rubber mallet, you have to make sure the components are aligned properly. Next, use more glue in the holes of the other half, before locking them firmly.
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