Making holes for dowel joints from inside carcass

**ZipZapRap** · 20th September 2021, 05:31 PM

Hi all

I am going to be attaching legs to the side of a drawer I made (for a coffee stand). The legs will be secured with dowel. On the drawer, I need to make a 16mm hole through about 19mm Walnut and then into the legs to a depth of about 30mm (the legs are about 75 wide)
I was going to use a Forster bit to cut through and into the leg especially as it should be flat bottom but it’s a good angle to drill from inside the drawer carcass.

I have a plunge router that could probably get in there but what bit should I use? I was thinking a hinge boring bit but I’ve never used one before. Is it okay to use in a router at that speed?

Other option is a straight bit after drilling out the centre with a standard drill bit

And probably the easiest would be to drill through the carcass with the forstner (not in the router of course) align the legs and then just pencil mark the circle through the hole. Ha this is probably what I should do….

Any further suggestions?

I can try and take a picture of the two components if that’s easier

Cheers

**ZipZapRap** · 20th September 2021, 05:38 PM

Here’s a link to a picture of what I’ve already done. I’m just trying to make this a bit easier as it was awkward to do this

Imgur: The magic of the Internet

Ignore the tear out, I will fix that later

**KahoyKutter** · 21st September 2021, 12:27 AM

I would use a hand brace and auger bit. You would need one that ratchets or perhaps a joist/side brace as per below (Stanley 984):

20210822_224127.jpg

**paul.cleary** · 27th September 2021, 04:58 PM

I suggest you use dowel centers (also known as dowel centre points)
Here is a video about them: How to Use Dowel Centers | Tricks of the Trade - YouTube
Not often used now that biscuit jointers and pocket screws are in fashion.
bunnings.com.au sells them:
Search results - Bunnings Australia

**GraemeCook** · 28th September 2021, 02:21 PM

Hi, I haven't seen your picture as my security system baulks at Imgur.

My second reaction was to question the 16mm dowell; that is rather large and two 12mm dowells will give you about 50% more gluing surface.

Nevertheless, if I have read you correctly I did something similar in a recent small cabinet to fit a specific location at home. It has legs glued and dowelled to the outside of the carcase.

Legs 2.jpg

My technique was as follows

clamp legs in place and fiddle until they look right,
carefully check measurements to confirm placement,
with masking tape, mark outline of legs on carcase - this avoids marks and indentations from pencils,
Unclamp legs,
Guided by masking tape, mark centres of dowell holes on carcase,
In drill press with forstner bit, drill dowell holes in carcase,
re-position legs on carcase, double and triple check accuracy,
With small electric drill plus depth-stop block, from inside carcase, using existing hole as pilot, drill dowell holes into leg,
Remove tape, do dry assembly, check everything,
Glue, dowell and clamp. I used PVA.
Next day, trim dowell ends and sand. QED.

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Making holes for dowel joints from inside carcass

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