Pro-Level Wood Joinery: This Tool Changes Everything!

[@Bill24558]

I agree with all the positives said here. If nothing else it removes the craving for a domino. I smile every time I see someone building with the domino knowing that I can do the same with the dowelmax. If you think think the dowelmax is pricey just compare it to domino. As Colin says, the dowelmax will change your life as a woodworker.

[@brianmi40]

Both are good for registration between the pieces, but the plot twist is that in strength testing, a simple mitered corner is STRONGER than both dominos and dowels... it has to do with the strength of modern glues when applied on end grain joints.

[@earlbishop2314]

I too have been using the dowelmax for years and love it. Your blue tape tip is great and I have now adapted it. Even though I’ve been using it for years when making many holes on several boards, you can become complacent and I believe the blue tape indicator will eliminate dumb mistakes. Thanks for sharing. Take care and stay healthy and safe.

[@emm_arr]

The big thing for me here - thanks, Colin! - is adapting some dowels like that for dry fitting. That's brilliant. I'll do just that!

[@psjw7828]

I love my DowelMax. It’s fast, accurate and makes strong joints. Thanks for the video.

[@RobertSababady]

Those sanded down dowels for dry fits are ingenious - thx for tip!

[@xSketchy0]

Thank you for the video! What is the bit you placed in the hole after drilling to measure the distance for the next hole called?

[@2tall54]

This tool is of the highest quality and would recommend it! I bought mine 3 years ago and have never regretted it.

[@ranyalbegwein7470]

Same!

[@anwarrior0152]

"Life changing" I totally agree! Being a novice woodworker, this hobby can get so damn frustrating at times making it unpleasant sometimes. This jig helped bring back the joy in the shop. Definitely worth the price!!

[@d.k.1394]

Well said

[@mrpink7395]

I’ve also been using this tool for years. Love it! Worth every penny.

[@robd7703]

Best purchase I have made in 20 years. Absolutely a wonderful tool. I used mine 2 times today.

[@I_like_pears]

Omg! This is so timely. I was just trying to figure out how to use dowels to connect two mitered boards and couldn’t find anything. Then you show a jig that can help! So glad to be subscribed to this awesome channel.

[@I_like_pears]

I let Dowelmax know that you were the reason I was buying there today.

[@greggordon6215]

I love my Dowelmax and use it pretty often. I also love that it's a small company and I like to support that. It is made strong as can be too!

[@berryconway4296]

I've had one for a few years now and used it on several projects. I couldn't be happier. Your use of the painters tape is an idea I'll start using the next time my Dowelmax comes off the shelf. Thanks

[@tielkgate]

Oh WOW ! Now this is the type of tool my dad would have loved. With that same thought the accuracy this product displays has made it a must have item in my woodshop. 🤗

[@jimbalz3017]

I bought one of these, based on what I saw in some of your other videos. It's not cheap, but you pay for what you get. It's precision machined and alignment far out weighs what a biscuit is capable of. If you use enough dowels, it really helps take the bow out for panel glueups.

[@garymiller5937]

Thank you very much Collin. I bought a dowelling jig some time ago because it looked so easy to use. Was I ever wrong. I've never been able to get my boards aligned properly. After watching this video I have great confidence that I can start two projects I've been putting off for years. Your clear explanation is priceless to me. 😊😊

[@jonathanyoung983]

Love the Dowel Max. One of the best woodworking tool purchases I have made.

[@geraldcrook9504]

Hi Colin just looking at your presentation of the dowel jig . Absolutely spot on , You put it over so well . Its a Great little jig and of course the tool is only as good as the wood worker using it . And boy you can use it . fantastic video easy to follow and you stop to show the proper way to align the face edges . Thank you for such a great video. Gerald south wales UK

[@chrisnash2154]

In the era of Dominoes, it great to see someone still rootin’ for the little guy.

[@mal798]

The Dowelmax is sensational. It really is an engineering marvel. It's soo satisfying to use - absolute precision.

[@mykolashatkovskyi8817]

Colin, you always have another level of explanation and details - thank you for the great video, again!

[@emm_arr]

One of the best buys I ever made. The naysayers are predictable enough, but they don't get to use one.

[@brianmi40]

I have one, they're just unnecessary once you understand how to use dowel pins.

[@jeffstanley4593]

I have one and it has the longest biggest learning curve of any thing I have ever used.

[@SteveH-TN]

Thanks for sharing your experience and video. Have never used dowels in my projects this jig and your methods will greatly improve my work. Appreciate your advice 👍

[@mikejackson2888]

I have been using the Dowelmax for over 3 years, still finding new uses and building beautiful furniture with super strong joints.

[@BGladWoodworkings]

Well this pushed me over the edge, just purchased the 3/8th classic + the 1/4 drill guide and a few accessories. Been eyeing this for years and after a few bad experiences with the sub par dowel jigs, it's time to try something that seems to work with the precision i've been requiring. I have a few shaker style cabinet doors coming up and some larger picture frames so i'm really looking forward to putting this to good use! Thanks for taking the time and energy to make this video. I'll be using it as a reference I imagine for a while. I really appreciate you and all your content.

[@andrewbrown8148]

Colin, this is a great video~! I first saw this jig on John Parilla's website/channel, Parilla Works. After seeing him using it on several projects, I knew that I had to have one. I also have the 3/8" & 1/4" guides. My first dowling jig was the one most people get that has the hand-screw that self-centers the jig on the workpiece. It served me well, but it obviously doesn't have the versatility of the DowelMax. Love this jig~!

[@malcolmhodgson7540]

I can totally feel your genuine enthusiasm for the dowelling solution. I agree, I recently made a set of shaker style doors for my daughter and the dowels proved invaluable in aligning all the stiles and rails. Wish I had the DowelMax. It looks quality.

[@edmcgugan2079]

Special, sanded, dry fit dowels is a great idea! Thank you for the great video sir!

[@brodie659]

I took a chance on this after reading some glowing reviews and boy am I happy I did. It is extremely well made and thought out. If built an 8 foot by 3 foot bookcase and I'm a pretty average woodworker at best. But it came out perfectly square and I definitely attribute a lot to the Dowelmax. It is definitely tricky to use at first, so I practiced quite a bit. But once you get the feel of how to line it up, it is very simple to use. Can't say enough good things about it!

[@kendavidson6755]

I love your videos.I have had a dowelmax for a couple of years and use it frequently I thought I knew all it functions but decided to watch your video to the end and low and behold I learned something new! I had no idea that you could use the mitre plate along the long edge of a board I have made boxes with it doweling the short edge( if you see what I mean?) but it is interesting that you can slide the jig along edge Thank you fir another great video

[@carpetjaws]

You're the best, Colin. Everything you present is explained with such simplicity. I, too, have a Dowelmax and, as you suggested, I learned something new. Thank you for all your time and knowledge shared that has helped me as I'm learning woodworking.

[@emm_arr]

I think the ability to join boards and do blind dowelled mortices is excellent. Using one face as the reference face - rather than some midpoint - is really useful. It means you don't have to spend so much time worrying about whether all bits of wood have the exact same thickness. I got a set of dowel marker pins too - so I can use the dowelmax on one piece and transfer the dowel positions to another piece in places where the jig can't go. Handy for adapting something else you already built - like a bed into a bed with a headboard.

[@LewHarriman]

Really excellent explanation and video demo, Colin. Thanks very much. Now I can clearly see why the DowelMax is worth its (relatively) high cost. The thing actually WORKS! (unlike ALL other doweling jigs I have tried in the past).

[@hubertdendraak4557]

Wonderful video for a wonderful tool!

[@johnbaker1231]

I purchased my Dowelmax in 2022. It is a quality tool, made well. I have used it on several projects and have found the joints to be equally as strong as traditional joinery. However, this is my experience. 1. Very slow compared to other machine made joints. 2. It uses A LOT of dowels. 3. Assembly is/can be cumbersome. I still own it but frankly it soen't get much use any longer.

[@westsidewil]

Excellent video. It clarified a few things for me.

[@d.k.1394]

Looks beautifully made

[@corwind3888]

If you plan on purchasing a Dowelmax jig, I recommend also purchasing an extra drill bit with stop so you can have two depths setup without having to change back and forth.

[@NWGR]

Agree completely with this.

[@liquidrockaquatics3900]

I plan on ordering more dowels and another drill bit. My first one isn’t even dull in the slightest, but moving the stop collar slows things down. I love these damn drill bits and the dowelmax system.

[@brianmi40]

You can make a drill bit depth limiter out of simply a scrap of wood, say, 3/4" by 3/4", and cut to the length that will let the bit only drill to desired depth. Drill it out slightly larger lengthwise on the drill press, then you can just slide it over the bit and drill knowing what depth it will limit it to. Much easier than messing with the rings and set screws they sell, simply slide it over the bit and drill away. Make a set of these of various lengths, and they're ready and waiting to pick out the appropriate length over your bit to where you can chuck up the bit in the drill to the perfect depth.

[@asoriano6575]

Great explanation!

[@Uswesi1527]

This an advance lesson in joinery technology. Thanks

[@philipselman2564]

Hey there wood work web I am right handed which end on the face of the work bench is the vice to be mounted -? waiting for you to tell me !

[@shawnclark9674]

Very smart tips with the tape.

[@prajabimehr8251]

This video was amazing and very informative! Thanks for making such a priceless content ❤

[@gregghernandez2714]

What is it with you Canadians? For some reason you guys arguably make the best doweling jigs in the World. For those of us who can't afford or don't really need a Festool Domino, an investment in a great doweling jig is the way to go. I love my Dowelmax but also love my Jessum. Both have their pros and cons. Excellent tools that will last a lifetime.

[@NBGTFO]

This is the best dowel jig money can buy in my opinion. I own the JessEm Doweling Jig as well and it's not bad, but the DowelMax is so much easier to use. I use it all the time!

[@NWGR]

I have a couple of dowelmaxes and absolutely love them. Two jigs makes cabinets go together a lot faster since you don't need to reconfigure the jig; just have one set up for face drilling, the other for edge/end. About the dowel spacing rod, one end has a groove in it, that's the end I always use for spacing dowels for things like table tops; no need for tape. One thing I might do is fill the groove in with paint though. About dowel sizes, I use 3/8" most of the time, but love /14" for drawer boxes and picture frames, and I use 1/2" for things like stools or chairs. About the only downside of the dowelmax is mid-panel doweling, like shelves. You can get a right angle attachment, but then you still need to position and square it up. I made a simple T square jig that I can clamp the drill guide block to. Works great. For cabinet doors I like the stopped groove method. Quick and easy. I do have the miter bracket, but haven't used it a ton yet. Honestly this jig is the sole reason I don't have a domino. The domino is a bit faster, but the dowelmax is still plenty fast once you get used to the check mark system, and joints are just as strong as dominos or traditional mortise and tenon. Really, I can't say enough good things about this jig.

[@contestwill1556]

i have the jessem jig, sure it has its differences vs the dowelmax but man i agree it is incredible how well these top quality dowel jigs work

[@MCsCreations]

Thanks for all the info, Colin!!! 😊 Stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊

[@ericklassen742]

Hey Colin, I've been binging on woodworking videos in the past several days. I ran across your video on making push blocks (5 years ago) and I would like to offer a safety idea. Where you used a couple of wood screws to secure the handle to the pad, I would use a couple of dowels. Why? ONE: A high blade could run into the underside of the pad and ruin the saw blade. TWO: Doing that, you would send a stream of glowing steel shards into the dust collection and possibly trigger a fire hazard. Great videos though. Thanks.

[@jamesbeattie1342]

Looks like a better jig than I have now.

[@ah4furnishings348]

Thank you 😊

[@whar2010]

Very nice, but more than the amateur woodworker can afford for a few home projects… I’ll be sticking with my ole biscuit joiner. Works well and is stronger than many think.

[@garyreadler4886]

The Dowelmax is a great invention , have used it somewhat and really like the results. Thanks for the video.

[@bowlchamps37]

Seems a little bit too heavy to use, i.e. it´s a slow method. And for the current price, you get 2 complete sets as power tools.

[@ponyboyc]

I use non maring pliers to tighten everything up

[@Danko88]

I bought the entire package year or so ago. Use more then I thought, really like edge joining boards using 3/8 dowels. I cant tell you how many times I have confused the spacing rod, like the tape idea on the end you are using to measure.

[@stevem268]

love my dowelmax, i actually have two! two is great when you are doing a whole bunch of cabinet carcases, one tool for the edge holes the other set up for the face holes. it was originally made in canada but costs were so high that they had to shift production to asia unfortunately

[@christopherharrison6724]

Great comprehensive video 👍

[@johnoerter2883]

I LOVE my Dowel Max!

[@jeremywhitaker9578]

Awesome video sir!

[@liquidrockaquatics3900]

Two tips: put your two peg ends on the measuring rod but don’t have them on the same plane; either have them 90 degrees or 180 degrees orientation from one another. No tape needed. You will either be marking across an extra nub or not. Second tip is to use the index pin in slot one instead of your finger to align the jig. Skip to hole 3 to drill so you don’t damage the index pin.

[@johnpaul2021]

Thanks homeslice

[@MixingGBP]

How about using the jig on a mitered and beveled joint, as on external crown moulding?

[@williamhanna5224]

Awesome video Great work !

[@bdm1000]

I saw on another video that there is no need for tape on the spacing rod. There is a notch or groove on one side to indicate the side you're always using.

[@shaqdumps9785]

Awesome video. Learnt a lot in just a few amazing minutes! Is dowel joinery suitable for joining on two pieces of pine wood which are both 1.5 inches thick and 2.5 inches in breadth? I am considering this joint for a bench with the vertical legs being attached to each other with a long horizontal piece. So on one end of the joint, the End of one piece will be connected to edge of the other piece with the face of the piece facing outwards for both pieces. Instead of using just one row of dowels, on each end/edge of the wood piece, will 2 rows of 4 holes each (8 holes), of 8 mm dia work? Will it provide sufficient strength?

[@claudelussier8783]

Hi, thanks for the video. My question is I am doing a piano bench, may I use this joinery or I will be better with pocket holes. Thanks

[@davidjones8070]

I bought a different on ears ago and found that it was complicated to use and to big. I’ve seen you use the Dowelmax before now I’m sold on it for sure.

[@ChameleonCreations22]

What drill bits are good quality? I have a handful of cheap drill bits but if I were to get that dowel jig I'd want to also pair it with good bits! Just don't know what brand..

[@MtnBike60532]

The tape marking the face of the wood is inside the jig. Will that move the dowel over the thickness of the jig?

[@HWCism]

Now that is really cool! Thanks

[@mostrote]

The spacer comes with the jig ?

[@robira1313]

Excellent video, as usual! I would like to know, is there a limit to the LENGTH of dowel you can use with the Dowel Max? Couldn't there be a situation where you need like a 4-inch dowel?

[@mikeellement1567]

Just find a longer drill bit. Might be a special order.

[@Joe-ho6fo]

Yet another great video. I have a doweling jig. Not as fancy as yours.

[@bigsparky65]

Very interesting, do you have a link for the dwelling jig

[@dpmeyer4867]

thanks

[@GizmosShop]

Have you used a jessem?

[@Don-cs7fe]

I have a Dowelmax with accessories & I agree with you about it’s usefulness. But don’t understand why you would leave the knurled brass loosely tight. Asking for trouble. I’ve done 8 foot boxes with jig & had them loosen if not snugged up. Also if you don’t push the steel peg that holds the spacing rod all the way into previous drilled hole you’ll lose accuracy because rod won’t be properly aligned. The special drill sizes that come with the Dowelmax like the 9.6mm that comes with 3/8” jig gives a little wiggle room for dowel diameter variations. Gotta have good dowels though like Rhino not junk like General. Think the pencil check mark that Dowelmax inventor advises to put on reference wood surfaces is better than masking tape which is probably .006” or so thick & affects accuracy if under the jig. Pencil erases easily

[@wesandell]

i've been considering the dowelmax for awhile, it's pricey, but much cheaper than a domino and much better than the cheap dowel jigs you get at the big box store

[@d.k.1394]

It should come with blue tape

[@bobwhelk2118]

Any thoughts on the doweling jig benefits over a biscuit or domino jointer?

[@d.k.1394]

@@bobwhelk2118 looks great

[@corwind3888]

Or maybe come with a pencil instead, as Dowelmax recommends writing a check mark on the faces and an X where you want the dowel holes. Heh.

[@d.k.1394]

@@bobwhelk2118 yes its better

[@NWGR]

It doesn't need it; there's check marks engraved on the reference surfaces where he had the blue tape.

[@jamesfee6016]

Why don't they supply lock washers behind the thumb nuts? My fingers are weak due to arthritis and that's the first thing I added to this device!

[@daviddura1172]

nicely done!!!!

[@allynhansen7398]

Wow! Colin,.....Talk about synchronicity??!!,........I was making a dog bed and decided to use dowels rather than screws because I felt they would look better,...... ( they do,... ) So I drilled all my holes with my hand drill having clamped everything together and it worked really great,........THEN!,.......I came inside and check out Utube after tea and what is the first thing to come up?,.....You and that Dowelmax jig!,......I watched your vid with keen interest and came away both happy and sad. Happy because i am going to have a wonderful tool in my shop soon and sad because it is going to cost me roughly $650 NZ to get it here downunder!!!,.....But I'm positive,.......think of the savings on screws!!!!! Many thanks, Regards, Allyn Hansen

[@michaelmcnally]

Great video. Have you tried the Jessem dowel jig? Unfortunately, it is the one that I purchased before seeing this. I wish I could watch you do this same video using that jig. :) I was wondering if you had an opinion how how it compares to the dowelmax.

[@mb_a5383]

Does anybody out there know of (great video by the way, Colin) an aftermarket miter gauge that will fit my uncommon, 3/4" x 1/4" miter slots? I'm learning now why not too many backyard woodworkers are using the Evolution Rage5S. If I had known to look for the miter slot depth when I bought it, I would have passed. But that's what I've got and I can't afford to replace it. I finally saved up enough to buy a decent aftermarket miter gauge with a standard 3/4" x 3/8" bar only to discover it sits almost 1/8" proud of the table. So far, I have not found anything that has a bar that is only 1/4" thick. Any suggestions?

[@harrygosbee3096]

Where do you get This at?

[@amohtash]

If the jig centers the dowel holes on the centre of the side of the wood, I don't understand why the thicker plank was aligned with the thiner wood. Shouldn't it be misaligned on both sides? For instance, if one board is 1 in thick the other one 1,2in. The holes on the first would be at 0.5 in and the second board at 0,6 in. Unless there is a way to set the jig to a way that it is not centered and makes a hole at 0.5 in of one side and 0.7 to the other side... please explain.

[@brianmi40]

Pause at 3:41. Note the right side is the fixed side dimension away from the holes. So that is the side of registration. So long as you put that on the desired side to mate up, it will always drill the holes a fixed dimension FROM (away from) that side. As you may be able to tell, the piece of wood in it is a 3/4". It centers THAT, but by definition OTHER thicknesses of wood will NOT be centered. You want EDGES ALIGNING, not centered drilling on the boards to be mated (99% of the time anyway).

[@amohtash]

@@brianmi40 thank you. I understand.

[@marcinmadrala7363]

Looks really nice but is super expensive. Any alternatives that will not ruin my budget?

[@scottheasman4758]

where do I get this tool

[@PAC-fp9hy]

Is there a metric version available in Europe (for not silly money)?

[@craigsmith8519]

Colin where can I buy a dowelmax in Ontario

[@huberhg]

I'm sold!

[@freddyblomm]

Hello, I mist the part how the jig centers on the edge of a piece of wood. And ik would like to see step by step how you used the jig instead of having everything drilled before making the film. Where can I see that? Kind regards from the Netherlands

[@wesandell]

it doesn't center, it is aligned to one side. That's why he used the blue tape, to make sure the boards were aligned correctly the right way. Since it's aligned to 1 side, it should be flush on both sides if both boards are the same width.

[@donhill1825]

+1 for wes. I'll add that centering the dowel probably isn't as desirable as it seems. The wood likely isn't precisely the same thickness throughout. Referencing a common face eliminates that issue.

[@ifiwooddesigns]

The 45 degree jig’s tightening screw leg doesn’t look like it rotates to 45 degrees as well. Wouldn’t it dent the wood? Otherwise it is a crafty little jig. What about placing it on a large face frame like an entertainment center where you put shelves? Any way to set those in a dado?

[@emm_arr]

"Any way to set those in a dado?" Probably not, but you could do the holes on your shelf and use dowel pins to transfer the drill positions to the dado. Then use a drill guide kit to get nice perpendicular holes in the dado. Or would any dowels be overkill when you can just glue?

[@NWGR]

You don't use that piece when doing miters; it's taken off and you clamp the jig to the workpiece with a regular clamp.

[@louislandi938]

Thought about getting this jig. Thanks to your excellent demo, that won’t happen.

[@d.k.1394]

Lol

[@d.k.1394]

Hehe

[@deansarow6259]

Louis,if your thinking that the Domino is better,you better re watch

[@louislandi938]

@@deansarow6259 You’ll never find a domino in my shop!

[@louislandi938]

@@deansarow6259I said DEMO not DOMINO.

[@Selkian]

Can’t find anyone selling this in the UK.

[@brianmi40]

Just use a drill guide and dowel pins to mark the 2nd board.

[@whthompson22]

T😊his is a fabulous product idea!!! This makes any table saw safer than a Saw Stop table saw! Please get this into the market ASAP.

[@hasmukhvpatel4539]

the best.

[@d.k.1394]

Love you

[@MK-lh3xd]

Just curious. Instead of buying dowel jigs, why not buy a palm router (which probably costs the same as one of these jigs or a good drill) which is great at mortising, and just use the good old mortise and tenon joinery?

[@MK-lh3xd]

Adding one more comment to see if anyone has an opinion about doweling jig vs palm router. Edit: I think for joining boards like in cabinets, shelves etc., dowels may be the way to go. But for items such as tables, door frames, shutters mortise and tenon with a palm router may be faster and convenient.