Make Your Own Dowels. Any Size. Any Diameter. Any Wood Type.

[@deanmg98]

This is unreal! I use an off cut of a brush handle from a builders providers as a stick when walking the dog, to help with going through forests/defending against other dogs if needs be. Definitely will try this as it would be cool to say I made one - more pride and sentimental than one off the shelf. Cheers John!

[@nukebert1]

I first used this method in 1998 when building oars for the 14.5’ pulling boat that I made. Each one was 8’ long, 1 ¾” diameter and had a paddle on one end. Since then, I have used this method many times. It is very important that the size of the square stock be exactly the same size as the desired finished diameter. I normally make several passes on my thickness sander to achieve the correct dimension. For smaller dowels (down to 3/32”) I use my drill press. However, that limits overall length to a maximum of 6”. Good video!

[@laurac4562]

found your channel about 5 videos ago, all your videos, very well explained on all for someone like me just geting started. so I subscribed. thanks

[@JohnMcGrathManInShed]

Welcome along, I'm really glad you are finding the videos useful.

[@katabrontes]

Hi John I make dowels by forcing a square rod through a die made by drilling several holes of different sizes in a piece of angle iron. They are slightly rough but a quick rub with sandpaper fixes that. They are as good as the first one you made and take much less time. Mike

[@trafficface]

I saw this trick once, it does look a lot faster

[@katabrontes]

@@trafficface It certainly is !

[@Ragingmarmot]

Kinda hard, I would imagine, to make a 4ft (L) and + dowel that way. For short stock agreed.

[@three-phase562]

Nice idea, as my local shops only stock a few sizes of pine dowels, anything else, I have to send away for. That does look like a good quality set of router bits too.

[@paultay23]

Nice one John, well explained

[@memezilla4370]

Thank John. Great idea, maybe x2 festherboards will add a bit more stability on the full rounding dowels?? But definitely the most economical way of having dowels on hand at all times.

[@mikewilcox8866]

Cool. I could have used that yesterday. I had only a 1 inch dowel and needed a 3/4. Had to do it on the lathe. What a pain. Thank you so much.

[@JohnMcGrathManInShed]

Glad to help

[@joelitonbezerra1235]

Great. Hugs from Brazil.

[@markarmstrong2592]

Great video and very well explained cheers John

[@JohnMcGrathManInShed]

Thanks 👍

[@MCsCreations]

Awesome, John! 😃 Thanks a bunch for all the tips!!! Stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊

[@JohnMcGrathManInShed]

Thanks, you too!

[@TradifyHQ]

Great video as always, John!

[@littleleafwoodworking7868]

Pretty slick

[@buzzpatch2294]

thanks

[@Northeast_Mainiac]

Here in the states we don’t use MM, we use 1/16” 1/8” 1/4” etc etc so what are those sizes in mm???

[@athorneau1439]

I was hoping for a non-electrical way of making dowels. This requires quite specialized electrical wood working tools... is there a low-tech way?

[@hobiakalsehat901]

Kerenn👍👍👍

[@JohnMcGrathManInShed]

👍

[@katherynlamarche7308]

Where have you been I have missed your videos. ? Julien

[@JohnMcGrathManInShed]

I'm just so busy with work I haven't had a time or the energy to do anything in the workshop

[@akaimon3]

A question nit related to video. Your intro music clip, reminds me of a California Raffael group popular back in 2007. Can’t remember name of group and vaguely remember the song. Would you mind posting the group and song? Had the groups song on iTunes but lost such over the years.Thanks!! Would you mind doing a video on your shop lighting. Excellent coverage with no shadowing. Most woodworkers spend $$$$$$$ on shop equipment, wood but seem to devote little on shop lighting. As you are a master electrician, would appreciate your thoughts.

[@JohnMcGrathManInShed]

Its just a generic piece of music from a intro making site, it's not from any song as far as I know

[@keithomuiri2993]

Have you an affiliate link to those ent router bits?

[@JohnMcGrathManInShed]

I don't Keith but I got them from Sautershop

[@robbiemaher6086]

Are you living in dunhill county Waterford

[@JohnMcGrathManInShed]

I'm not Robbie

[@robbiemaher6086]

@@JohnMcGrathManInShed thanks I was just wondering because I saw that business on google maps

[@PaulSmith-rd8yc]

Sounds quite good idea to do. But being blind probably lose all my fingers. I’ll stick with my round planes, What my mate made for me. Imagine big pencil sharpeners. No shouldn’t advertise other KZbinrs on here but look up Harry Rogers, he makes them on there., He is a part of the Kent Podgers or Greenwood workers.

[@JohnMcGrathManInShed]

I will check him out Paul thanks.

[@PaulSmith-rd8yc]

@@JohnMcGrathManInShed One of his videos it is his last video what he done last year. Built a bench in a day for one of our members who sadly passed away. I’m on the blind one with his bright orange top. I think using a cross cut saw two of us. Harry didn’t make my planes but he is the inspiration where my mate got the plans and watch the video. Makes quite a few different things