I purchased the Dowelmax a few weeks ago after watching your first video! Would be great to see some project builds for the beginner/intermediary levels using dowel joinery.
i did some of the testing for dowel max several years ago, my results were published in canadian woodworking magazine. i have 2 of the older version and a ton of extra parts. great tool. the depthstop guage looks like a great addition
I grabbed my dowelmax a few years back after procrastinating for too many years to count. I know I've said this before, but it's easily one of the best woodworking purchases I've made. I only use 1/4", 3/8" and 1/2" sizes, no need for the 5/16" for me. I use 1/4" for draw boxes or 1/2" projects, and even some 3/8" stock as demonstrated by parillaworks, 3/8" for most things, 1/2" for things like step stools and seating. Great updated overview, thanks! edit to add: I bought a dedicated 1/8" hexdriver for adjustments, a tekton rubber handled driver. Worth the investment.
Another tip, with the spacer rod, put both of the metal nubs on it, but put them 180 degrees oriented from one another so that they don’t interfere with each other. You can always see which side of the rod is the distance is the 3/8-end or whatever because the other side will be the other block.. or you can measure across the other block with it interfering if you need the distance. They also aren’t rolling around in your case that way either
Great video thanks for sharing I am really close to buying this I actually have an unopened Kreg foreman retails like 400 I may sell for 200 to cover some of this price, Collin on Wood Work Web did a video as well he had a good idea on the spacer bar he just used a piece of blue painters tape to mark the side you are using may be a little easier to see again thanks for sharing
I don't think you put the url correct for your dowel affiliate link. The affiliate part of the link is not highlighted, and the link just goes to the dowel max home page. You should fix that to get your affiliate bonus.
I personally prefer to drop the index pin into the first slot for alignment every time instead of relying on touch or sight in case something moves as the clams are snugged down. I then move to the third hole so my drill doesn’t hit the index pin and chew it up.. (ask me how I know .. steel drill chuck beats aluminum index pin every time)
I purchased a Dowelmax a couple years ago and love it. My only complaint is that they don't sell a storage box/organizer for the system. I inquired about that with them and they suggested a generic solution available via Amazon -- which is an okay option. But the storage system you are using catches my eye. Can you share with us the brand and model of that great red box you are using? (Is it Milwaukee Packout?) And what do you think of it as a storage solution for your Dowelmax? Thanks.
It's a Milwaukee organizer box, but I don't believe it's part of their Pack-Out system, nor do I see it available anymore. Sorry. Makes me wonder if a tackle box for fishing could be adapted. 🤷♂️
Could this fixture be used on construction lumber like a 2 x 4 and 4 x 4, I only have hand tools, and I would like to build a workbench with a right joint with a 2 x 4 apron to 4 x 4 leg
I'm am / have been sold on the Dowelmax for a while - just waiting to be able to afford it. What I need to know is where you got that awesome metal dustpan... I'm so tired of plastic handles snapping off. Also, not sure if you'll go for this suggestion, but I like to transfer my glue to sriracha bottles to avoid the product's too-huge glue tip. I get better-controlled glue application that way with far less squeeze-out, and getting glue into holes is much easier.
Watch for sales; they occasionally drop it to $200. I added another one to my shop recently and the sale price was $265 shipped for the bundle that includes the 3/8" set, 1/4" drill guides and additional drill guide block. $35 less than the current bundle price, and they ship the classic variants free and no tax.
Are all of these accessories part of one of their kits? I don't see anything that shows some of the accessories as part of a kit or even sold individually (besides the dowel maker and spikes).
See if you can fix your affiliate link. It does not include the required post information. What are the rabbets details on the lower stretches of your L saw bench? Looks or some function? Strips of wood a little narrower than the stretchers.
You may have to cut & paste the link for it to work. I added a note in the description to that effect. Thanks for bringing that to my attention. As for the saw bench, I answered your question in the comments section for the saw bench video.
I purchased the Dowelmax a few weeks ago after watching your first video! Would be great to see some project builds for the beginner/intermediary levels using dowel joinery.
i did some of the testing for dowel max several years ago, my results were published in canadian woodworking magazine. i have 2 of the older version and a ton of extra parts. great tool. the depthstop guage looks like a great addition
I grabbed my dowelmax a few years back after procrastinating for too many years to count. I know I've said this before, but it's easily one of the best woodworking purchases I've made. I only use 1/4", 3/8" and 1/2" sizes, no need for the 5/16" for me. I use 1/4" for draw boxes or 1/2" projects, and even some 3/8" stock as demonstrated by parillaworks, 3/8" for most things, 1/2" for things like step stools and seating.
Great updated overview, thanks!
edit to add: I bought a dedicated 1/8" hexdriver for adjustments, a tekton rubber handled driver. Worth the investment.
I bought DowelMax when I watched your first video. That is an amazing and versatile tool that can do all types of joinery.
I just received my new Dowelmax. I am looking forward to picking up some neat tricks to using it.
The DM is an awesome, high quality doweling jig. I am glad I invested in one about a year ago. I enjoyed your video.
Another tip, with the spacer rod, put both of the metal nubs on it, but put them 180 degrees oriented from one another so that they don’t interfere with each other. You can always see which side of the rod is the distance is the 3/8-end or whatever because the other side will be the other block.. or you can measure across the other block with it interfering if you need the distance. They also aren’t rolling around in your case that way either
Happy New Year. Nice video.
Great job! Thanks for sharing!
Awesome video
Excellent Video... thanks for the info. I will be getting one.
Great video thanks for sharing I am really close to buying this I actually have an unopened Kreg foreman retails like 400 I may sell for 200 to cover some of this price, Collin on Wood Work Web did a video as well he had a good idea on the spacer bar he just used a piece of blue painters tape to mark the side you are using may be a little easier to see again thanks for sharing
thanks
I don't think you put the url correct for your dowel affiliate link. The affiliate part of the link is not highlighted, and the link just goes to the dowel max home page. You should fix that to get your affiliate bonus.
I personally prefer to drop the index pin into the first slot for alignment every time instead of relying on touch or sight in case something moves as the clams are snugged down. I then move to the third hole so my drill doesn’t hit the index pin and chew it up.. (ask me how I know .. steel drill chuck beats aluminum index pin every time)
Good thinking. I'll have to try that.
I purchased a Dowelmax a couple years ago and love it. My only complaint is that they don't sell a storage box/organizer for the system. I inquired about that with them and they suggested a generic solution available via Amazon -- which is an okay option. But the storage system you are using catches my eye. Can you share with us the brand and model of that great red box you are using? (Is it Milwaukee Packout?) And what do you think of it as a storage solution for your Dowelmax? Thanks.
It's a Milwaukee organizer box, but I don't believe it's part of their Pack-Out system, nor do I see it available anymore. Sorry. Makes me wonder if a tackle box for fishing could be adapted. 🤷♂️
Could this fixture be used on construction lumber like a 2 x 4 and 4 x 4, I only have hand tools, and I would like to build a workbench with a right joint with a 2 x 4 apron to 4 x 4 leg
With the right spacers it will absolutely work.
I'm am / have been sold on the Dowelmax for a while - just waiting to be able to afford it. What I need to know is where you got that awesome metal dustpan... I'm so tired of plastic handles snapping off.
Also, not sure if you'll go for this suggestion, but I like to transfer my glue to sriracha bottles to avoid the product's too-huge glue tip. I get better-controlled glue application that way with far less squeeze-out, and getting glue into holes is much easier.
I can't remember exactly where I got the dustpan, but it was from one of my local hardware stores.
Watch for sales; they occasionally drop it to $200. I added another one to my shop recently and the sale price was $265 shipped for the bundle that includes the 3/8" set, 1/4" drill guides and additional drill guide block. $35 less than the current bundle price, and they ship the classic variants free and no tax.
Are all of these accessories part of one of their kits? I don't see anything that shows some of the accessories as part of a kit or even sold individually (besides the dowel maker and spikes).
I think a couple of the accessories in the video, like the miter block, had just been developed and possibly aren't available just yet.
See if you can fix your affiliate link. It does not include the required post information.
What are the rabbets details on the lower stretches of your L saw bench? Looks or some function? Strips of wood a little narrower than the stretchers.
You may have to cut & paste the link for it to work. I added a note in the description to that effect. Thanks for bringing that to my attention.
As for the saw bench, I answered your question in the comments section for the saw bench video.
Where did you get your countersink?
I think I got it from Lee Valley way back in the day.