miller dowel system/comments

[larry merlau]

i am contemplating the miller dowels for connecting a shelf to the legs of a end table. first question are they strong or just a gimick. and also from a design or appearnce stand point would they be good for connecting the end peice of a stretcher on the table supports as well as as the shelf? would the shear strengh be sufficient? should i match the wood color or go with contrasting? the orginal piece is cherry.the legs are ful inch thick and the shelf will be as well the table is strickly as a light duty end table not a kitchen chopping block. thanks for all that reply.

[Marc Ward]

I have them and have used them...they work well.

Be careful that when you pound them in, the wood does not split. Say you are attaching a shelf to a side, and you drill through the side and into the end grain of the shelf, then insert the dowel...it is the shelf that is at risk. Not a big problem, just be careful and don't use a 6 pound sledge.

Also, the dowels do not have to go all the way in to work. So, if you are pounding it in, and it does not want to go any more, but the head is still proud, that is fine.

Also, you can get some very cool contrasting woods by going to Miller direct
http://www.millerdowel.com/ as they have stuff that your retailer probably does not.

For Interior Projects (http://www.millerdowel.com/products/interior.html) the dowels are available in Red Oak, Black Walnut, Birch and Cherry.

For Exterior or Interior Projects (http://www.millerdowel.com/products/exterior.html) choose dowels in Ipe, Purple Heart, Teak, Mahogany, White Oak and Black Locust.

I used Black Locust on my Adirondack Chairs
http://www.pbase.com/mward/image/54478677.jpg

More pics here http://www.pbase.com/mward/
and I used cherry (I think) on this mahogany spice rack
http://www.pbase.com/mward/image/56338347.jpg

Also, if you have questions, call Miller direct, they are very helpful.

[John Miliunas]

I like them and primarily use contrasting dowels. I found that trying to "match" woods is pretty futile. Besides, I like the contrasty look to begin with. :) They should be just fine for your application. :) :cool:

[Frank Pellow]

I have used them and they seem to work. However, I have not subsquently put the joints to big load tests so I can't comment on whether the joints that use them are really strong -I supect that they are not and that one is really relying on the glue to keep the joint together.

Like Marc and John, I recommned the use of dowels with contrasting colours.

[John Huber]

I have used about 200 Miller mini-dowels, mostly as reinforcements for butt joints in plywood drawers and case goods. Generally, I don't test these joints for strength. But I have dropped some pretty heavy cases on their corners and have had no joints break.

Why not run a test? Make up a joint from shop scrap and beat the ### out of it!