View source for Dowel Joint

=====Description=====

[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dowel#Application '''Dowel Joints'''] can be used to reinforce '''[[Butt Joint|Butt Joints]]''' in any jointing configuration ''(e.g. Edge Joints, Angle and Tee Joints)''.  Very accurate marking out and positioning of the '''[[Dowel|Dowels]]''' is required if the joint is to work and several methods, templates and special tools have been devised to achieve this.


Choose a size of dowel approximately one third the width of timber to be joined and about six times their diameter in length - half inserted into each part of the joint. The ends should be tapered ''(use a Pencil Sharpener for small dowels)'' and there should be a flat or grooves along the length to allow air and surplus glue to escape when the joined is 'cramped up' under pressure.


Once 'cramped up' ''(e.g. using '''[[Sash Cramp|Sash Cramps]]''')'', the '''[[Dowel|Dowels]]''' are a very tight fit inside the holes and difficult to remove so any 'dry' joint testing would need to be done with '''[[Dowel|Dowels]]''' which have been sanded down to make them an easier fit.


[[File:Dowels.png|300px|right|thumb|Using a '''[[Dowel Plate]]''' to make dowels as an alternative to purchasing them ready-made.]]
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=====Features and Uses=====

Initially, a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dowel#Application '''Dowel Joint'''] provided a simpler and quicker alternative to a '''[[Mortise and Tenon Joint]]''' but the more recently developed '''[[Biscuit Joint]]''' is now often preferred because they require less marking out and the joint is more forgiving in that, on initial assembly, the '''[[Biscuit Jointer|Biscuit]]''' is quite a loose fit before it swells to size with the wet glue.


=====Marking Out=====

[[File:DowelJointMarkingOut.png |300px|left]]
* Prepare the timber joining faces to ensure they are straight and '''[[Squareness|Square]]''' and mark their '''[[Face Side and Face Edge|Face Sides and Face Edges]]''' ''(if several joints are to be used to make a frame for example, all joints should also be numbered)''
* Grip the two halves of the joint together in a '''[[Carpenters Vice|Vice]]''' with their '''[[Face Side and Face Edge|Face Sides and Face Edges]]''' to the outside.
* Use a '''[[Gauges|Marking Gauge]]''' to scribe centre lines on each piece and a '''[[Try Square]]''' to '''[[Squareness|Square]]''' the dowel centres across.
* Use a '''[[:Category:Punches|Centre Punch]]''' to mark the dowel centres to help locate the drill accurately.


To make the joint, drill holes for the dowels taking care to ensure all drilling is at right angles to the joining faces and the depth of hole is a little more than half the length of the dowel to be used ''(this is to ensure the dowel does not come to the bottom of the hole before the joint is fully closed and to provide some space for any excess glue)''. 
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[[File:DowelJointPanelPins.png|150px|right]]


=====Marking Dowel Centres=====

There are several alternative methods to ensure the dowel centres are accurately marked. These  include the use of '''[[Nails and Pins|Panel Pins]]''', '''[[Template|Templates]]''' or '''[[Dowel Centres]]''':

* After marking out, drive small '''[[Nails and Pins|Panel Pins]]''' half way into the marked centres on one half of the joint.
** Snip off the heads of the pins
** Press the joint together so that the panel pins transfer the centre positions to the second piece.
** Remove the '''[[Nails and Pins|Panel Pins]]''' and drill as before.
[[File:DowelJointCentreMarking.png |150px|right]]

or

* Make a small '''[[Template]]''' from scrap timber and accurately mark the dowel positions on it.
** Drill the '''[[Template]]''' with small holes at the dowel centres.
** Use a '''[[Awl and Bradawl|Bradawl]]''' pushed through the holes to mark the dowel centres on to each piece of the joint.
** Drill dowel holes as before

or

[[File:DowelCentreMarkers.png|300px|right]]
* Mark out one half of the joint only and drill holes for the dowels.
** Insert '''[[Dowel Centres]]''' into the drilled holes.
** Press the two halves of the joint together so that the '''[[Dowel Centres]]''' mark the second piece.
** Drill holes for dowels in the second piece as before.
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=====Dowelling Jigs=====

<div class="floatright"><dtamazon type="search" search="Dowelling Jig"><img alt="DowellingJigs.png" src="/images/thumb/5/5e/DowellingJigs.png/200px-DowellingJigs.png" width="200" height="142" srcset="/images/5/5e/DowellingJigs.png 1.5x, /images/5/5e/DowellingJigs.png 2x" /></a></dtamazon></div>
Various devices have been developed to simplifying the making of '''Dowel Joints'''. A '''[[Jig|Dowelling Jig]]''' clamps to the edge of the timber to be joined and adjustable drill guides are set into position.  The dowel holes can then be drilled with little or no marking out required and the guides help to ensure the drill is kept perpendicular to the joining faces.


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=====Typical Dowel Joints=====
[[File:DowelJoints.png|800px|right]]
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{{Dowel Joint Buyers Guide}}

[[Category:Wood Joints]]