Glue For Dowels???

[John Terefenko]

I have been making these desk watches for some time now and I have been glueing in the dowels on the sides of the body of the watch and the buckle on the band with TitebondII. ( see photo with walnut 1/4" dowels in the oak body and notice the cross grain) There is a cross grain situation here. I have had some movement either the dowels shrink or the body expands or vice-versa and the dowel is no longer even with the side of the body.

My question is should I be using a different type glue or is this something that will not be stopped. I make these with other woods too but sometimes I have no problems. I have to be careful with the glue not getting on the bands because they need to spin when opened. Hopefully you understand what I am asking.

Here is the photo

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v233/JTTHECLOCKMAN/IMGP0491-1.jpg

[John Coloccia]

Would you consider changing the design some? It might work better if you replace the dowels with a small steel rod, and just cap the ends with a wood plug. I don't know that this would solve the problem but I think it would.