#19
I used my Task self-centering doweling jig to make some internal divider frames for a dresser I'm working on. I used 3/8 dowels and intended the frames to keep all of it square. However it turns out these frames are not square. I think the doweling jig pivoted slightly when clamped to the ends of the side boards.

I think I'm ready for something a little better. I can't justify the cost of a Festool Domino and the Triton dowler gets bad reviews. I know there are some better doweling jigs out there but I don't think they're self centering. I would think the Beadlock would suffer from the same issue.

Thoughts on something that would work well for this? I might have to cut them up and redo them with pocket hole screws for now, but I'd like to have something better long term. I usually use mortise and tenon for joints like this on the main parts, but want something quicker for these kinds of items.
Project Website  Adding new stuff all of the time.
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#20
(04-18-2020, 10:57 PM)lincmercguy Wrote: I used my Task self-centering doweling jig to make some internal divider frames for a dresser I'm working on. I used 3/8 dowels and intended the frames to keep all of it square. However it turns out these frames are not square. I think the doweling jig pivoted slightly when clamped to the ends of the side boards.

I think I'm ready for something a little better. I can't justify the cost of a Festool Domino and the Triton dowler gets bad reviews.  I know there are some better doweling jigs out there but I don't think they're self centering. I would think the Beadlock would suffer from the same issue.

Thoughts on something that would work well for this? I might have to cut them up and redo them with pocket hole screws for now, but I'd like to have something better long term. I usually use mortise and tenon for joints like this on the main parts, but want something quicker for these kinds of items.

Dowelmax is terrific. I don't use mine often, but for face frames and the like, it's a reliable, first rate tool.
Best,
Aram, always learning

"Perfection is achieved, not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away.” Antoine de Saint-Exupery


Web: My woodworking photo site
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#21
Second the dowelmax.  It doesn't do much, but what it does, it does really, really well.  I've probably had mine a decade and a half, and I still think it's the best at what it does.
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#22
How does the dowelmax compare to the jessem dowel jig? I like the variable offset of the jessem.
Project Website  Adding new stuff all of the time.
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#23
I have the Jessem and have been very impressed.  The learning curve was pretty short for an old man.  The first project was just a few doors.  The second was for our son, 43 cabinet doors.  I wanted the Domino but too much $$$.
"I tried being reasonable..........I didn't like it." Clint Eastwood
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#24
The Jessem is outstanding, prefer it over the Dowelmax. Also the Dowelmax is now made in China I believe and the Jessem in Canada. So there is that.
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#25
Phil, what makes it more preferable than the dowelmax for you?
Project Website  Adding new stuff all of the time.
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#26
(04-19-2020, 01:17 PM)lincmercguy Wrote: Phil, what makes it more preferable than the dowelmax for you?

The ability to adjust it for various offsets w/o having to use spacers.
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#27
Alas, the Mortise Pal is no longer made. It works so well for these things. I thought I saw a version 1 selling on one of the forums. You might look around. If you can find a version 2, all the better.
When I was young I sought the wisdom of the ages.  Now it seems I've found the wiz-dumb of the age-ed.


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#28
Dowelmax is definitely a great jig, very well made and definitely a precise tool.

Not as fast as domino, but I’ll keep mine to do doors and such
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