Thread: Where to get hardwood dowels (other than Tas Oak)

Glenn, being a "tool-a-holic", may I suggest you get a dowel plate from Carba-Tec or Lie-Nielsen and make your own? That way you can use matching timbers or contrasting timbers that you are already using in the project and the dimensions will be reliable (dowel varies).

Thanks Groggy,
Those plates go up to 5/8" and are my source of smaller diameter dowel. I wasn't able to find such plates for larger diameter. 'Spose bashing 1 1/4" through a hole might be a challenge anyways..
Cheers,
Glenn

I reckon some of the guys in the metalwork forums could make you plates that size fairly easily.

LV have these but they are not as large as you want.

Lee Valley have a couple of dowel making options but not quite up to the size you are after. They can cover the 7/8" & 1" but not much after that:
Veritas® Dowel Maker - Lee Valley Tools
Veritas® Dowel and Tenon Cutters - Lee Valley Tools

Here is a DIY approach

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDZ6tb9FO0I]dowel making.MOV - YouTube[/ame]

More LV here


And some more Router Workshop: easy dowels

Thanks for those links. Liking that LV tool but with all the bits I require that ends up being a quite expensive proposition.

However - the bull nose router bits are looking like a good option. I see McJing have most of what I think are the sizes I need.

They list on page McJING Online Tools Products Search
but not all sizes.
Still, if purchasing them isn't an option......

Cheers,
GLenn

Another good video with precise instructions on constructing a jig.

How to make dowelling - YouTube

Thanks John, that led my too other videos that got me thinking.
A number of router based options that require jigs, not bits to get required sizing.

Although I was trying to avoid manufacture - this seems to be the way to go.
Cheers blokes,

Glenn

Might be of interest:

Kruger Enterprises Pty Ltd

Noticed Masters is selling Red Oak dowels

I purchased some red oak and poplar dowels from Masters, however very poor quality and unstable. Unable to use for the purpose i required so went and brought Tas Oak from Richmond M10.