Thread: Doweling jigs?

Jon, obviously the process can be done without a jig, but it is soooooooo much easier using one.
My problems are unsteady hands, poor eyesight, and inability to hold the drill-bit vertical or horizontal - the $30 jig overcome all of that, and I've since used it on jobs I'd have finished differently.

soth

Originally Posted by masoth

Jon, obviously the process can be done without a jig, but it is soooooooo much easier using one.
My problems are unsteady hands, poor eyesight, and inability to hold the drill-bit vertical or horizontal - the $30 jig overcome all of that, and I've since used it on jobs I'd have finished differently.

soth

Hi Soth,
What brand jig and where did you buy it from?
Cheers,
Jon.

Mate, I took a stab at the price because I've had the HARON H6500 Dowel Jointer for quite some time. I got it from Bunnings.
There are bigger and possibly more precise available but for the ocasional use I couldn't justify greater cost - it does what I want, accurately.

soth

G'day Santalum,

I've got a run of the mill Silex no.30 dowel jig and have been using only dowels in a cabinet I'm making with no problems.

Mostly in conjunction with a drill press but some with a hand drill, even these were accurate. In some cases where I thought the jig was out I'd do a test drill in the timber to make sure I was OK, then go for it.

I bought the silex as an apprentice 30 add years ago and wore out the 3/8 & 1/4 bushes so I got metric replacement ones.

Considering the amount of work I have done with it,its more than paid for it's self.

The only defect is the clamp tends to mark soft timbers.

Thanks for your thoughts guys, have gone ahead and ordered a self centering jig and a few bits and pieces from Timbecon, will let you know how I get on.