Thread: Luke's dowelling jig

It was an original Silex jig. I noticed it myself, since it was the only part of the show that didn't suck completely. Unfortunately they aren't made anymore, you can try a clone (I've seen them in Tradetools) but the accuracy can be a bit hit or miss, or so I've heard.

Hi Forumnna I have a Silex 30 brought it at the Tender center in Coffs Harbour for about $50.00 12 months ago It's in in very good order and accurate I have not seen one like this in the tool shops for sale see photo's
Noel

I've got one of those, bought way back in the 60s.

The Silex is a copy of the Stanley #59, my favourite doweling jig (and it is better than the Silex). They come up occasionally on eBay.

I have a spare Silex body but no guides for it.

Regards from Perth

Derek

I have a spare Silex with guide tubes - PM me if you would like to buy - yours for $30 plus postage

I got a Silex, had it for years and years, can't remember how long but its got 8 guides and a stop for the drill bit. I used it a couple of times but never really got into dowel joints until I got my Ozzie jig.

Originally Posted by munruben

I got a Silex, had it for years and years, can't remember how long but its got 8 guides and a stop for the drill bit. I used it a couple of times but never really got into dowel joints until I got my Ozzie jig.

I ve got one as well ,still in its original box with destructions.

Here is a Stanley #59 for comparison ...

Regards from Perth

Derek

Are you finding that a lot of the dowel's you buy now are just that much tighter for the holes, is it that they might have gone metric the last lot of 5/16 from bunnings I have had to sand back 8mm is th's larger

I've used a Stanley 59 doweling jig for the past 25 yrs,
they are a really good jig. I have two of them.
They haven't been made for quite some time so the only
way to get one is buying a used one.
Ebay has them most of the time, and usually they are in
great condition because they weren't used much.

I recently bought the Dowelmax, an extremely expensive jig
but the best one out there and I love it.
But except for it, nothing else comes close to the
Stanley mod 59 dowel jig. All the others I've tried are just to
sloppy.

wow, thanks for all that.
might keep my eyes open for a while locally, maybe I'll get lucky.
I'll keep your offer in mind Jeremy.

Originally Posted by noelhi1

Are you finding that a lot of the dowel's you buy now are just that much tighter for the holes, is it that they might have gone metric the last lot of 5/16 from bunnings I have had to sand back 8mm is th's larger

Dowels and drill bits vary in size.
If my dowels are to tight (they usually are)
I put them on a cookie sheet in the oven on 150 deg.
for 30 to 60 min and cook them. That will usually shrink them a little.
Then I store them in a sealed container.

Also try a different drill bit, they aren't all the exact same,
you can also buy "letter" bits that are slightly larger and smaller.

Originally Posted by derekcohen

Here is a Stanley #59 for comparison ...

Regards from Perth

Derek

Thanks for that Derek. It does appear to be of better quality than the Silex, sharper calibration scale (or better photography)

Originally Posted by noelhi1

Hi Forumnna I have a Silex 30 brought it at the Tender center in Coffs Harbour for about $50.00 12 months ago It's in in very good order and accurate I have not seen one like this in the tool shops for sale see photo's
Noel

Well I just paid $26.54 for one off ebay.

Some metric tubes would be good as well.