Initially titled “A Dowel Maker” in Fantastic Woodworking #8—Fall 1977
As a result of industrial dowels in giant diameters are costly or onerous to get, it’s helpful to make your individual with the device proven right here. Correctly sharpened and set, the device turns simply round a sq. size of hardwood, slicing it clean and spherical in a easy cross.
The physique of the device is constituted of a block of hardwood about 2-¾ in. sq. and 7-½ in. lengthy. First find and bore a gap the diameter of the specified dowel. Then on the lathe, a conical melancholy is turned to satisfy the outlet in order that about an inch of cylindrical bore stays. For a 1-in. Dowel, the mouth of the cone is 2-⅛ in. vast; for different dimensions the cone ought to permit the sq. of wooden to enter about ½ in. earlier than it encounters the cutter. Which means that the big diameter of the cone is about twice the small diameter. The following step is to drill the holes for the 4 screws that may fasten the 2 sections collectively. By drilling them earlier than sawing the block, alignment is automated. Two noticed cuts separate the clamping part from the principle block. Mating channels are then chiseled alone the interior faces of the 2 items to carry the slicing blade, which is only a noticed kerf thicker than the ensuing channel. Thus the cone stays clean, and the screws maintain the blade tightly.
Blades may be constituted of outdated recordsdata. The file ought to first be annealed by heating crimson scorching and cooling slowly. Then an appropriate size may be minimize off and formed. Earlier than the ultimate sharpening the cutter must be re-tempered by heating crimson scorching, quenching, and reheating to 475° (light-orange oxidation shade) earlier than the final quench.
[Editor’s note: If you want an alternative blade, chairmaker and FWW author Tim Manney has used a plane blade for a similar tool.]
The place of the cutter is essential for getting a clean dowel. The heel finish of the leading edge ought to simply graze the floor of the completed diameter in order that the dowel is a comfortable match because it comes by way of. Waxing the boew will make it go extra simply. The sq. of wooden to be minimize must be simply sight bigger than the diameter of the dowel—about 1-1/16 in. sq. for a 1-in. dowel. It helps to chamfer the 4 corners on the main finish of the piece to get it began with out splintering. Then the wooden may be held vertically in a vise and the device turned with out forcing it down. With a pointy, correctly positioned blade the load of the device is sufficient to hold it transferring alongside the wooden.
The dowel joint
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