Without a lathe, how can I make 1" dowel rod from Oak?
Is it as simple as taking a 1" square oak blank and running each side
through a router table with 1/2 radius round over bit against the bit
bearing and a fence?
Seems like that last side would be a problem to keep aligned.
Im doing this becuase I need dowels longer then 4' which is the longest I
can find to buy.
Anyone done this?
thanks
On May 8, 8:51 am, SWDeveloper <[email protected]> wrote:
> On Mon, 7 May 2007 23:48:02 GMT, "trs80" <[email protected]> wrote:
> >Without a lathe, how can I make 1" dowel rod from Oak?
> >Is it as simple as taking a 1" square oak blank and running each side
> >through a router table with 1/2 radius round over bit against the bit
> >bearing and a fence?
>
> >Seems like that last side would be a problem to keep aligned.
>
> >Im doing this becuase I need dowels longer then 4' which is the longest I
> >can find to buy.
>
> >Anyone done this?
> >thanks
>
> Dowel making on a lathe is not as easy as it sounds, unless you have
> some sort of jig that holds a router or other tool. Making one with
> a round-over router bit works. You can make a hexagon, then sand it
> round. Easiest way is to purchase a dowel rod.
Google "stail engine." Not too hard to make your own. Japan
Woodworker used to sell them for about $8.00, IIRC.
Commercial dowels are invariably out-of-round, except for the
bagged cutoffs with the glue channels. Milling process using
two passes over a bullnose shaper cutter is to blame. Rotary
cut dowels from 30 years ago were almost always dead-on-
perfect.
On 8 May, 16:59, "trs80" <[email protected]> wrote:
> thank you!. Those are great tips. Ill take a shot at using the round over
> bit on the table router making sure to do only sections short enough to keep
> a flat against the fence. But I really like the home made jig too. That
> would be a fun jig to make.
>
> thanks again for the superb help"trs80" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>
> news:[email protected]...
>
> > Without a lathe, how can I make 1" dowel rod from Oak?
> > Is it as simple as taking a 1" square oak blank and running each side
> > through a router table with 1/2 radius round over bit against the bit
> > bearing and a fence?
>
> > Seems like that last side would be a problem to keep aligned.
>
> > Im doing this becuase I need dowels longer then 4' which is the longest I
> > can find to buy.
>
> > Anyone done this?
> > thanks
Unless you want a lot of them then doing it by hand is easy - mark up
a circle at each end of the blank and then just join the lines with a
jack or a block plane - or rough out with an axe, draw knife etc to
start with. To plane, hold in a vice or a simple cradle jig of some
sort.
I'd ignore the Lie-Nielsen website explaining dowel plates as it's
all wrong. Dowel plate is very useful for short dowels such as you'd
put through the corner of a frame mortice & tenon, but it has to be
firmly mounted in the top of a bench as you have to hit very hard.
cheers
Jacob
On May 9, 5:08 pm, "Michael Faurot" <[email protected]>
wrote:
> trs80 <[email protected]> wrote:
> > Without a lathe, how can I make 1" dowel rod from Oak?
> [...]
> > Anyone done this?
>
> I haven't done this myself, but after recently looking over the
> tool porn catalog from Lee Valley--I noticed they have an interesting
> looking device[1] for doing this. From the description, it sounds
> like you can either use this tool by hand or with a drill to
> turn the stock.
>
> NOTE: I don't own this tool, and I haven't used one, so I don't know
> if they work well or not. But being that it's a Veritas tool, it's
> probably pretty good.
>
> [1]:http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=2&p=52401&cat=1,180,42288
Rotary plane, variation on the stail engine, similar to a pencil
sharpener,
itself a variation on a plane or a stail engine, whichever you
prefer. This
method is nice because you can adjust the dowel diameter +/- a
few thousandths of an inch according to desired snugness of
fit. Don't own the Veritas (not bad for the price), but do own a
homemade version complete with home tempered Starrett
O-1 steel cutter, made for cutting wooden mouthpiece plugs for
PVC flutes. Works fine once the blade depth is set just light
of taking paper thin shavings.
"trs80" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Without a lathe, how can I make 1" dowel rod from Oak?
> Is it as simple as taking a 1" square oak blank and running each side
> through a router table with 1/2 radius round over bit against the bit
> bearing and a fence?
Now is a good chance to buy another tool! How about the Veritas dowel
maker?
http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=2&p=42331&cat=1,180,42288
Bob
After reading my own post I realized an easier way for long dowels.
Measure the length of your infeed fence. Call this X.
Round all 4 corners of the first X-1 inches on the blank.
Round the next X-1 inches. Repeat until you get to the last
section and leave the final 1 inch square.
Art
"WoodButcher" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> What you suggest will work. Just leave the last 1" on each end square
> and cut it off when you're done routing.
>
> I haven't tried the following but I think it will work. If your rod is
> going to be too long for the ends to stay in contact with the fence,
> leave 1 or more square sections in the middle of the rod as you round
> the corners. Then starting at one end successively round over the
> middle square sections.
>
> Art
>
> "trs80" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:[email protected]...
> > Without a lathe, how can I make 1" dowel rod from Oak?
> > Is it as simple as taking a 1" square oak blank and running each side
> > through a router table with 1/2 radius round over bit against the bit
> > bearing and a fence?
> >
> > Seems like that last side would be a problem to keep aligned.
> >
> > Im doing this becuase I need dowels longer then 4' which is the longest I
> > can find to buy.
> >
> > Anyone done this?
> > thanks
> >
> >
>
>
Here's a couple of ideas.
A dowel plate. A piece of steel with a 1 inch hole is one way. See the
Lie-Nielsen dowel plate as an example.
http://www.highlandwoodworking.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=4485
I saw an episode of the woodright shop in which Roy Underhill used a dowel
plate to make dowels for a wooden rake. It is simplicity in action, however
like all non-electric woodworking it isn't necessarily easy work.
The Lie-Nielsen website includes a PDF from David Charlesworth explaining
dowel plates and another method using a section of pipe.
Either of those hand tools would be more to my liking than trying to use a
router table and roundover bit.
--
Lloyd Baker
"trs80" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Without a lathe, how can I make 1" dowel rod from Oak?
> Is it as simple as taking a 1" square oak blank and running each side
> through a router table with 1/2 radius round over bit against the bit
> bearing and a fence?
>
> Seems like that last side would be a problem to keep aligned.
>
> Im doing this becuase I need dowels longer then 4' which is the longest I
> can find to buy.
>
> Anyone done this?
> thanks
>
>
"trs80" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Without a lathe, how can I make 1" dowel rod from Oak?
> Is it as simple as taking a 1" square oak blank and running each side
> through a router table with 1/2 radius round over bit against the bit
> bearing and a fence?
>
> Seems like that last side would be a problem to keep aligned.
>
> Im doing this becuase I need dowels longer then 4' which is the longest I
> can find to buy.
Oak quarter round is available at most trim mills, four pieces glued
together will get you close.
Or, as Leon suggests, make your own oak quarter round and proceed.
--
www.e-woodshop.net
Last update: 2/20/07
KarlC@ (the obvious)
"SWDeveloper" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> On Mon, 7 May 2007 23:48:02 GMT, "trs80" <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>>Without a lathe, how can I make 1" dowel rod from Oak?
>>Is it as simple as taking a 1" square oak blank and running each side
>>through a router table with 1/2 radius round over bit against the bit
>>bearing and a fence?
>>
>>Seems like that last side would be a problem to keep aligned.
>>
>>Im doing this becuase I need dowels longer then 4' which is the longest I
>>can find to buy.
>>
>>Anyone done this?
>>thanks
>>
>
>
> Dowel making on a lathe is not as easy as it sounds, unless you have
> some sort of jig that holds a router or other tool. Making one with
> a round-over router bit works. You can make a hexagon, then sand it
> round. Easiest way is to purchase a dowel rod.
You can do with a quarter-round or bullnose bit, of course. Use the jointer
principle and support it on the far side of the bit with a shaped "fence" is
the best, leaving periodic square sections to be removed later, ensuring
that two contact a fence at all times will work too. The U (ok it's not a
_deep_ U) method does the hold down for you. featherboard the in hold.
thank you!. Those are great tips. Ill take a shot at using the round over
bit on the table router making sure to do only sections short enough to keep
a flat against the fence. But I really like the home made jig too. That
would be a fun jig to make.
thanks again for the superb help
"trs80" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Without a lathe, how can I make 1" dowel rod from Oak?
> Is it as simple as taking a 1" square oak blank and running each side
> through a router table with 1/2 radius round over bit against the bit
> bearing and a fence?
>
> Seems like that last side would be a problem to keep aligned.
>
> Im doing this becuase I need dowels longer then 4' which is the longest I
> can find to buy.
>
> Anyone done this?
> thanks
>
>
What you suggest will work. Just leave the last 1" on each end square
and cut it off when you're done routing.
I haven't tried the following but I think it will work. If your rod is
going to be too long for the ends to stay in contact with the fence,
leave 1 or more square sections in the middle of the rod as you round
the corners. Then starting at one end successively round over the
middle square sections.
Art
"trs80" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:[email protected]...
> Without a lathe, how can I make 1" dowel rod from Oak?
> Is it as simple as taking a 1" square oak blank and running each side
> through a router table with 1/2 radius round over bit against the bit
> bearing and a fence?
>
> Seems like that last side would be a problem to keep aligned.
>
> Im doing this becuase I need dowels longer then 4' which is the longest I
> can find to buy.
>
> Anyone done this?
> thanks
>
>
"trs80" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Without a lathe, how can I make 1" dowel rod from Oak?
> Is it as simple as taking a 1" square oak blank and running each side
> through a router table with 1/2 radius round over bit against the bit
> bearing and a fence?
>
> Seems like that last side would be a problem to keep aligned.
>
> Im doing this becuase I need dowels longer then 4' which is the longest I
> can find to buy.
>
> Anyone done this?
> thanks
>
>
I have done this and made a 1/2" diameter dowel.
Take a piece of square stock that is 1"x1" plus add the width of your saw
blade to the top and side dimension. Quarter the piece and then round over
1 corner of each remaining 1/2" x1/2" piece. Glue and put the 4 pieces
together to forma your dowel. Rounding over 1 corner is much easier than
all 4 and quartering before rounding over is easier with square corners.
I happened upon this by accident when making 1/4 rounds and decided to glue
the extra leftover pieces together. Use masking tape and wrap it around the
4 pieces to hold them together while the glue dries.
"trs80" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Without a lathe, how can I make 1" dowel rod from Oak?
> Is it as simple as taking a 1" square oak blank and running each side
> through a router table with 1/2 radius round over bit against the bit
> bearing and a fence?
>
> Seems like that last side would be a problem to keep aligned.
>
> Im doing this becuase I need dowels longer then 4' which is the longest I
> can find to buy.
>
> Anyone done this?
> thanks
>
Make a pointy stick a little longer than the length dowel you desire
Cut off pointy end.
See link for further info on pointy sticks or just ping Charlie B
http://groups.google.ca/group/rec.woodworking/browse_frm/thread/c7c283004de463b6/3211478ca6d769a4?hl=en&lr=&rnum=1&prev=/groups%3Fq%3Dg:thl1624142608d%26dq%3D%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26selm%3D4221F2CF.DFA%2540accesscom.com#3211478ca6d769a4
well someone had to say it....
jc
trs80 <[email protected]> wrote:
> Without a lathe, how can I make 1" dowel rod from Oak?
[...]
> Anyone done this?
I haven't done this myself, but after recently looking over the
tool porn catalog from Lee Valley--I noticed they have an interesting
looking device[1] for doing this. From the description, it sounds
like you can either use this tool by hand or with a drill to
turn the stock.
NOTE: I don't own this tool, and I haven't used one, so I don't know
if they work well or not. But being that it's a Veritas tool, it's
probably pretty good.
[1]: http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=2&p=52401&cat=1,180,42288
--
If you want to reply via email, change the obvious words to numbers and
remove ".invalid".
On Mon, 7 May 2007 23:48:02 GMT, "trs80" <[email protected]> wrote:
>Without a lathe, how can I make 1" dowel rod from Oak?
>Is it as simple as taking a 1" square oak blank and running each side
>through a router table with 1/2 radius round over bit against the bit
>bearing and a fence?
>
>Seems like that last side would be a problem to keep aligned.
>
>Im doing this becuase I need dowels longer then 4' which is the longest I
>can find to buy.
>
>Anyone done this?
>thanks
>
Dowel making on a lathe is not as easy as it sounds, unless you have
some sort of jig that holds a router or other tool. Making one with
a round-over router bit works. You can make a hexagon, then sand it
round. Easiest way is to purchase a dowel rod.