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 Post subject: Opinions Wanted
PostPosted: Tue Dec 13, 2016 1:38 pm 
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AdminDude

Joined: Mon Sep 14, 1998 12:01 am
Posts: 2470
Location: Bowie, MD USA
Hi Everyone,

Just curious about what you all think about this thing: http://www.dowelwizard.com/

Would you want one for your shop? Why or why not?

Thanks,
Jim

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 Post subject: Re: Opinions Wanted
PostPosted: Tue Dec 13, 2016 2:44 pm 
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Joined: Mon Apr 11, 2005 12:01 am
Posts: 4950
Location: Seattle, WA, USA
Hey Jim,

Probably not. It looks well made, and well designed, but I don't really use dowels much as they aren't a very good joinery technique for strength, and splines are just as good or better for alignment.

Cheers,
Tom

BTW Happy B'day! :D

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 Post subject: Re: Opinions Wanted
PostPosted: Tue Dec 13, 2016 6:38 pm 
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Joined: Sun Dec 19, 2004 1:01 am
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Location: Rolling Meadows, IL. USA
I have a similar (Dowl-It) jig that does the same thing and use it fairly often.
This one looks simpler and easier to use, definitely smaller and lighter.
Same price range.

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 Post subject: Re: Opinions Wanted
PostPosted: Tue Dec 13, 2016 7:50 pm 
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AdminDude

Joined: Mon Sep 14, 1998 12:01 am
Posts: 2470
Location: Bowie, MD USA
tms wrote:
Hey Jim,

Probably not. It looks well made, and well designed, but I don't really use dowels much as they aren't a very good joinery technique for strength, and splines are just as good or better for alignment.

Cheers,
Tom

BTW Happy B'day! :D


Thanks Tom, and who blabbed about my birthday? At 62, I want to forget about them, not celebrate! ;)

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 Post subject: Re: Opinions Wanted
PostPosted: Tue Dec 13, 2016 7:52 pm 
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AdminDude

Joined: Mon Sep 14, 1998 12:01 am
Posts: 2470
Location: Bowie, MD USA
Daddy Gloves wrote:
I have a similar (Dowl-It) jig that does the same thing and use it fairly often.
This one looks simpler and easier to use, definitely smaller and lighter.
Same price range.


Thanks Daddy, anyone else?

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 Post subject: Re: Opinions Wanted
PostPosted: Wed Dec 14, 2016 11:30 am 
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Joined: Wed Nov 12, 2003 1:01 am
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Location: Shorewood, WI, USA
I guess it depends on how you work, but I don't see a use for a centering jig. I'd much rather reference from a face of the work so I can easily make parts either flush, or with the offset I choose.


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 Post subject: Re: Opinions Wanted
PostPosted: Wed Dec 14, 2016 7:18 pm 
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Location: La Plata, Maryland
Hey, Jim!! How are you doing, Buddy?? Happy Birthday! I don't have them anymore!

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 Post subject: Re: Opinions Wanted
PostPosted: Fri Dec 16, 2016 12:22 pm 
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I dunno there are a lot of dowling jigs out there. It does seem like its fairly priced


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 Post subject: Re: Opinions Wanted
PostPosted: Wed Dec 21, 2016 2:47 am 
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Joined: Mon Sep 14, 1998 12:01 am
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Location: Tyaak, Victoria Australia
Hi Jim, Great to see you back here!
I don't use dowels much, but if I did that looks like the ticket to me. For on-site work it might be better than biscuits with far less dust, maybe....
Anyhoo great to see you here, and thanks for keeping the place alive!

Best regards,
Eric

PS just so you know, it's not too late to start the maze again! :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D


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 Post subject: Re: Opinions Wanted
PostPosted: Thu Dec 22, 2016 8:08 am 
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Joined: Tue Aug 31, 1999 12:01 am
Posts: 156
Location: Ashburn, VA USA
This will compete against other jigs out there that may be a little more versatile.

I like the self centering function, which is great when you're working with stock of same thickness or in applications where you don't want an off-set. Looks pretty slick and quick.

Some of the limitations I see: You're attaching aprons to table legs, and want the apron face either flush or with a slight off-set. Also, I didn't see the max width supported by the jig. Would be good to know.

With floating tenon systems being the flavor of the month, maybe incorporate that type of a guide into the jig. The self centering function is brilliant albeit with some limitations.

Horses for courses...


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 Post subject: Re: Opinions Wanted
PostPosted: Thu Dec 22, 2016 4:15 pm 
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Joined: Tue Dec 15, 2015 1:08 am
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Jim M wrote:
Hi Everyone,

Just curious about what you all think about this thing: http://www.dowelwizard.com/

Would you want one for your shop? Why or why not?

Thanks,
Jim


That self centering system does look pretty quick and easy, but I don't like how it only has two holes.

I picked up one of these a few years ago, and it works great. It's built like a tank, very solid, and as an added bonus, it's "Made in USA". I paid $72 at the local Woodcraft store out here..

http://www.woodcraft.com/Product/821330 ... fgod5-0P8g

It's a self centering jig, but I'm sure it could be offset via some shims...

The threaded part doesn't spin freely, so it takes a few seconds to get it opened up to the right size, but, once it's there, it only takes a turn or two to lock and release it.

One thing I didn't like about it was this; ... even though it has 4 holes, it only has two inserts for each size. When I wanted to buy two more of the biggest inserts, they wanted me to buy a whole set of six (two of each size). I forget the price, but it wasn't cheap! ...and they didn't have it in stock anyway, so I passed on it. I wanted them "that day".

I built a big door with that jig. There was 32 dowels, so that means 64 holes. 64 holes means moving the inserts back and forth about a million times, and it took quite a while to get all those holes drilled. But, at least they were all perfect, and the door went together nicely.

If I had a drill press, everything would've gone much faster... :-?

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