Dowelmax centering?

[Brian Penning]

When using a Dowelmax is there any trick or method to ensure that if, for example, you wanted to centre a 3/4" rail to a 1" stile that the dowel hole(s) would be dead centre in both pieces?
I know that you use the spacers etc but what if the pieces are not exactly 3/4" or 1"?
Thanks in advance for any and all replies.

[John Lucas]

When using a Dowelmax is there any trick or method to ensure that if, for example, you wanted to centre a 3/4" rail to a 1" stile that the dowel hole(s) would be dead centre in both pieces?
I know that you use the spacers etc but what if the pieces are not exactly 3/4" or 1"?
Thanks in advance for any and all replies.

Brian,
I used the Dowelmax and reviewd it over a year ago, A very nice and accurate device. But to center the jig, you will have to draw a line representing center and site thru the hole to move it there.

http://www.woodshopdemos.com/nprod9-6.jpg

The page: http://www.woodshopdemos.com/nprod-9.htm

[Tony Maio]

My Dowelmax came with two 1/16" thick brass washers for use as spacers when drilling holes in 7/8" stock. They move the reference block 1/16 away from the drill block, and the holes are then centered on a piece that is (exactly) 7/8 thick. You could add a few more shim washers to move it an additional 1/16 or so, and that would center the holes in 1" stock. I use brass shim washers, not stock hardware.

Drill the stiles with the shims, then remove the shims and drill the rails. In both cases, have the reference block face the same way (either toward the inside or the outside, but the same way on all joints) to minimize the effects of tiny inaccuracies in wood thickness or centering with the shims.

Tony

[Bill Huber]

Here is a mod I did to the DowelMax that will let you set it anywhere you want and still have all the holes at the same place.

Also if you notice I scribed a center line on each end of the main block. I can with it make a mark on my board anywhere I want and still get the holes right were I want them.

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=107921&highlight=dowelmax

This is another mode I did to help get it tight and save my fingers.

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=116680&highlight=dowelmax

So for your needs you would find the center of the board you are using and then use the center marks on the DowelMax to set the clamp screws to that mark. Lock them down with the nylon screws and use a clamp to hold them, now is your reference point.

This has worked out very well for me on some different projects.

[Mike Hall1]

I use a Dowelmax, but when I'm wanting to center dowels on irregular sized timber I use a Self-Centering Jig like this - http://www.infinitytools.com/prodinfo.asp?number=100-200
You can use the Dowelmax Indexing Pin to re-position the Jig for drilling the missing center hole.

Mike

[Jim Lindsay]

Hi Brian,

The rule for centering on any thickness is 1/2 the thickness of the wood minus 3/8 equals the size of spacer required to center.

Eg.

Stock 1/16 spacers will center you on 7/8 thick.

Optional 1/8 spacer will center you on 1" thick.

Stock 3/8 spacer will center you on 1-1/2" thick.

3/8 spacer plus 1/8 will center you on 1-3/4" thick.

etc.

Regards,
Mike, Dowelmax.