Re: fluted dowel plate

Apr 01, 2004 3 Replies

I don't know where to buy one, but I made my own.



Start with a 1/4" steel plate. Then you'll need 2 drill bits. Let's say you want 3/8" fluted dowels. You'll need a 3/8" bit and another that is undersize by twice the desired depth of the flutes. If you want 1/32" deep flutes then you need a 5/16" bit.



Drill the plate all the way through with the smaller bit. Then drill in the same hole with the larger bit, but stop short of going all the way through.



Use needle files to enlarge the bottom of the hole to the larger diameter, or just a tad larger, leaving fingers to form the flutes.



Pound your dowel blanks in from the top side.



Depending on how much use the plate will get you may want to harden it.



HTH.



Art


I used to own a plate for making dowels that made fluted dowels instead
> of smooth dowels. I have not seen it offered anywhere and cannot
> remember where I purchased it before. Unlike the Lie-Nielsen Dowel
> Sizing Plate which makes smooth round dowels, the plate I am thinking of
> would cut flutes as the wood was pounded through the plate.
>
> Does anyone know where a plate for making various sized fluted dowels is
> offered for sale?
>
> John
>

Use a pair of slip-joint pliers to make compression flutes in your dowels, commercial or domestic. Caries glue, allows air burp, and the moisture pops 'em back tight. Good deal all 'round.

Or, you can make one from a standard dowel plate by threading one or more holes in from the side, and putting in setscrews with sharp points. Back them out when you don't want flutes. One or two flutes are enough to release the glue/air pressure.

John Martin

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