Milescraft 1309 DowelJigKit & 1319 JointMate - How to use a Milescraft Dowel Jig

[@eldonfranco461]

This is by far the absolute video on a dowel jig that I have ever seen. I tried using the jig several times after watching other videos, but after endless minutes of "history", "ads", and "magical techniques", I was on the verge of tossing this in the trash because they didn't help. I decided to give it one more shot, but wanted to watch one more video, especially from the manufacturer. So, fortunately, this one showed up and the heavens opened and it all made sense. I went out to the shop and viola! perfect joints and quality seams. The only thing I wish I could find is a jig to help me set the bit to the correct depth. But for now, I'll be thankful for this and keep practicing. Good luck to all of you fellow woodworkers!

[@patrickarchuleta9594]

Never guess a dowel jig this one is cake I'm pushing 70 ,30 years ago we were making thousands of cabinet doors.hello God bless don't ever give up.

[@scott_sauce]

Okay.. this thing is genius. Watched this video and was convinced I needed it. I got mine today, grabbed some scrap wood and within 10 minutes had two perfectly aligned pieces of wood connected by dowels.

[@milescraft]

Right on!

[@ckmbyrnes]

Whoever made this is a super genius! I used mine to make outside planters from planks made with a chainsaw mill. This meant the thickness of the boards were not always the exact same, but this seemingly over simple jig worked every time. Great tool; I recommend it highly!

[@lorrainewilliams7896]

No drill press, no problem. Followed these instructions and am well on my way to finishing my rag rug loom. Drilling the holes for the dowels was a breeze. Thanks Milescraft, this video is much appreciated.

[@milescraft]

Excellent!

[@randytellez2451]

Got my kit last week. Used it today. Did a great job joining two 2"x8" pressure treated boards for a heavy plant dolly. Way too easy to use. I already have a handful of Milescaft products which all are great. Still have more to get on my list. Thanks Milescaft 😊

[@gordco1]

Excellent video! So nice that a manufacturer, actually provides customer service support, like this, after the sale. I think I'm going to become a loyal Milescraft customer!

[@milescraft]

Thank you for your feedback! If there is anything further that you need, feel free to contact customer service at [e-mail].

[@no_handle_required]

I love a product that works and that is backed by clear, accurate, instructions. Just bought this on amazon because of this video.

[@rolandmetayer7210]

ATTENTION ! This video is BY FAR THE BEST VIDEO I have seen for this particular model of doweling jig. DON'T WASTE YOUR TIME with other videos that sometimes do not SHOW ALL what a person can do with this jig.Cheers ! !

[@mae2759]

Used mine to edge joint two butcher block counter tops. This is a simple and great tool! The kit is very handy.

[@jeffdevries3282]

Glad I watched the video because the instructions had me rethinking buying it. Clear concise instructions, nice job made joing 2 pieces a melamine together for my workbench super easy

[@phantomKE]

My jig just arrived. Great video on how to use the jig, well presented. Can't wait to put mine to use.

[@WILLYBOSCO]

Just bought this product to glue up some panels and it was easy and flawless. Great product and a great price

[@knobbiesshreaded3137]

It works as advertised. Measure twice cut once. With limited tools (live in a condo...no vice) I clamped my work to a table saw fence and clamped the jig to the piece being worked when possible.

[@froilansantos6259]

"....I'd just received my Jointmate today that sends to me by my brother from Canada,im super excited to use it for my hand tool cabinet project,thanks for the great video.....Woodworking hobbyist here from Angeles City,Philippines....!"

[@jawadmajeedahmed6933]

I've had the chance to use this table a couple of times now. It's fun to whip out in front of people:) I can see what people are talking about when they say the legs are delicate, but they're design to support a "mostly" vertical load, not be torqued from the side or pushed back into place. If you just let the table open or close on it's own and don't force anything, it works great kzbin.infoUgkxyFZUPFEey-PuqsPMxqaykBhgA1LWxFHh Once it's set up, it's pretty solid. My only gripe would probably be related to the clamps provided. They're not the highest quality. They do the job, so no big deal, but they could be better. All in all, pretty cool gadget.

[@elfyjohnson261]

Simple jig with clear instructions on how to dowel. I might buy this jig.

[@gelosoriano]

I own a Milescraft pockethole 200 jig and would want to try dowels for joinery... Will buy this. Great instructional video. 🙂

[@djvycious]

I just picked one of these up because I wanted to do a project involving the use of dowels. My last attempt at using dowels was slow, cumbersome, and the boards didn't fit right. Blame my amateur woodworking skills. I did a test fit with the jig for an edge joint and it was a perfect fit! I'm glad I purchased this product and I'm excited about doing some small projects again rather than dreading the crappy results I used to get.

[@andrewclarkson1943]

Really useful video thanks. I would not have worked out correctly how to use the jig by reading the instructions alone.

[@Momoka7]

I seen other Dowel Jigs, but this one here is the most ingenious. At 3:15 one can see what most other Dowel Jigs lack.

[@ACAB_Media]

I just received this dowel jig yesterday and I have gone completely dowel nuts!!! LOL !! I have emptied a pack of 100 dowels and the dowels that came with the kit already! ... SO easy to use!! ... SO useful! ... I used them in combination with pocket holes and glue to make furniture for a kid's room who's whole room is set up with climbing walls, knowing that he will probably climb on the furniture now and then (its actually designed to encourage him to!) ... **USEFUL TRICK** : I had some boards that were 2-1/2" thick that I wanted to join together end to end. They were too thick to use the jig as indicated, but I just laid a longer piece of dowel rod in the slot under the jig, aligning it so it lay squarely on top of the hole in the first board and it worked like a charm! (I alternated holes from one side of the boards to the other so all the dowels wouldn't be on one side of center of the boards)

[@milescraft]

Thank you for your comments, we're pleased to hear you've gone completely dowel nuts!!

[@closequarters4575]

Like others have commented, well done video. I don’t have a need for one at the moment but this looks pretty handy and at $20, I’m ordering one to keep on the shelf.

[@milescraft]

Thank you for your positive feedback!

[@Jamus1975]

Used it today for 3/4 mdf shelving and it worked flawlessly. Probably would of been easier and quicker if I had watched this video first. Did everything my own way but similar.

[@aquakey9834]

How to sound like a showboat without sounding like a showboat

[@kimhoffman86]

I watched the video but not good enough. Oh well I still have more to do with my current project.

[@NasimMahmud]

Excellent tutorial! Thanks for nicely explaining.

[@890mikes]

What a great design. Just ordered the kit. Thanks.

[@DennisMathias]

This is an amazing and worthwhile device. Fun to use!

[@armlleras]

just used it for the first time today. great little tool. it works perfectly...love it.

[@milescraft]

Glad you are enjoying the jig! What project are you working on?

[@josebonifaciodeoliveirafig8793]

Very good explanation, I liked it a lot, congratulations.- Bonifácio Maceió-Brazil

[@robertbutler8004]

I have just ordered this model today looking forward to using it!!

[@robertbutler8004]

Follow up it arrived today I tried it out I only drilled 4 holes with the drills provided the drill bits are pathetic I then used my own high-speed drill bit my drill bit was way superior to the rubbish drills that came in the kit.

[@stefanmagyar4042]

I skipped drilling pocket holes for an alcove bookshelf 80" high and used the Milescraft dowel jig kit to a better and easier finish. Thanks for this great video! tool

[@marcelinanoss8825]

simple and easy to use! great vid too guys!

[@eddiemoreno2922]

Great video, and this jig works great!

[@alanthompson4912]

I liked this explanation very much but I wish you guys would have also showed the use of the pins are they for marking the boards or for holding in place?

[@moshomo7]

Excelente herramienta. Yo la compré en MEXICO y funciona muy bien. La recomiendo!

[@moisesgonzalez3001]

Me gusta ¿ en dónde la compro? Soy de México

[@jellyg.8961]

The design is very clever and simple, and as I have read many times it works great for most users. However the complain made by some is valid, when drilling it looks like it wobbles side to side which can make the dowel holes a little wider and not a tight fit. Obviously a clamp may help but with the design of the handle it may not be possible at all times. A good improvement on it could be to put the handle lower in the jig and maybe an inch out, that way it could have a flat wider base touching the surface to use f-clamps or c-clamps. Or maybe a little more expensive model featuring a clamp as part of the handle. Thanks for the video.

[@milescraft]

Thank you for your feedback.

[@TheWoodenRider]

Thank you Good tutorial and very helpful

[@MOSTAFA131160]

very good informative video, thank you. I bought after I watched it.

[@w6263]

Thank you for video much appreciated! At 2.20 in video is what I needed to see. . .never used a dowel jig before. This answered my question.

[@dinyardalal]

Excellent video. I enjoyed watching it. thank you

[@milescraft]

We're glad you enjoyed the video.

[@deepsudeep]

Thanks for the indepth demo!

[@JackRockBLC]

Looking forward to trying this. My jig kit should be here tomorrow or Monday.

[@milescraft]

Ryan, let us know what you think after you've had a chance to use it!

[@amirhouseingholinia2023]

I just got mine today. I wish you could have identified the board 1 and 2 (for visual aid purposes) by using pieces of colored tapes, also indicating the left and right sides of the boards. This would make it much easier to follow instructions for an accurate joint.

[@kcb3rd]

How do you set it to drill the 1/4” & 5/16 hole. Lining up the 4 pins to get the 3/8" hole is all you demonstrated. What am I missing?

[@Guiller369]

Thanks a lot, I have this DowelJigKit, I’ll love it

[@andythurlow1614]

Cheers mate. You made it quite easy to understand for a beginner like me, but no matter how careful I am there is always a slight step in both directions. I suppose buy cheap pay twice eh?

[@abelmagdaleno9714]

Me sirvio mucho, buen video, gracias.

[@milescraft]

Glad you liked the video!!

[@AngieWilliamsDesigns]

This looks like a handy tool. I may have to get this!

[@MarkPrimavera]

I was REALLY scratching my head on how to to this but found it at 6:10 👍

[@aaudain1]

Awesome clearly explaine

[@milescraft]

Thank you so much 🙂

[@aaudain1]

@@milescraft Welcome

[@jonas190]

Was this narrated by Matt Vanderlist??? Very glad I bought this.

[@milescraft]

Yes, it was!

[@jonas190]

Milescraft I’d know that voice anywhere!

[@sasascepanovic172]

it couldn't be better explained

[@goosesr]

If you use a dowel of one of the other two sizes besides the middle one the thing the video doesn't talk about is when you use the centering feature on the end stock you use the sides if the tool so the pegs are centered. Hopefully that makes sense

[@Mike-in3cq]

Brian Amos I agree...

[@milescraft]

Brian and Mike, you are correct. Aligning the jig using all three sizes is not discussed in the video. However, it is explained in the manual with diagrams illustrating the jig alignment with all three of the dowel bushing sizes. www.milescraft.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/03.02.16Manual.pdf

[@ObiWan80186]

I was kinda scratching my head on that issue... but I went back and looked at the video and it became obvious that you just use the same pins in a different way for the smaller dowels. It's a very clever design. Hope it works as good as it looks - I just ordered one.

[@randybost9680]

Let's see if I can help clarify. If you use the 1/4" guide hole, use the two pins on 1/4" side of the guide. If you use the 5/16" guide hole, use the two pins on the 5/16" side of the guide. In both cases, you want to be pushing the handle toward the board. Once you get it, it works great.

[@youllsucceed]

Now that just cleared it up, Thanks!

[@realness00]

Great video!!! Thank you !!

[@MadhuSudhan022002]

Thank you very much for the video. Can you please tell us what is the recommended depth to which holes need to be drilled in board 1 and board 2 for each of the joint types

[@milescraft]

Holes should be drilled 1/8" deeper than the length of the dowel's insertion depth. For more information, please reference page 4 of the product manual. www.milescraft.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/1309-1359-DowelJigKit-Manual.pdf

[@anupshende1986]

I have same question and no where it is answered. Manual says about 1/8th gap in dowel but does not say anything about what should be drill depth itself.

[@mytube2013]

I found the most difficult part is setting the drill stop accurately. Also when the needed hole is close to end, it cannot auto center the hole, making it less useful for small stuff.

[@enriquemireles8947]

I ordered one kit would like to if you have video on joining angles. I’m attempting to make some cabinet legs with possibly 25 degree angle . Want to see if it requires different position placement.

[@haareenhaareen5605]

Good .... informative...

[@milescraft]

Thank you for your positive feedback!

[@90natural2]

Thanks sir

[@madebybobbie]

0:18 size dowel pins 0:38 hole depth explained 1:23 corner joint (board 1) 2:23 corner joint (board 2) 4:11 edge joint (board 1) 4:18 edge joint (board 2) 5:34 surface joint (board 1) 5:43 surface joint (board 2) Kinda mostly posting this for me 😂 But maybe someone else finds it useful as well 😊

[@millea8]

This video is a little wacky to me. Specifically in the edge jointing section. The orientation of the boards change a significant amount of times throughout the instructions. The orientation of the boards is so crucial to get the alignment correct so there isn’t an issue with lippage when you join the two boards together. Can you clarify this for me? Maybe I’m missing something but I am consistently getting lippage. I don’t own a planer so this step is crucial for minimal sanding once the glue dries. Can you explain the overall concepts? For example: “Board 1 surface faces up” or “board 1 surface and board 2 surface should be facing each other”. Some animations with how specifically to orient the boards for each step would be very helpful in explaining. Thanks for any help.

[@milescraft]

Board 1 and board two should have the surfaces you want joined on the same plane facing away from each other. On board 1, the fence depth was set from the side that has the dark marks facing you standing at the vise. Board two is then put against it and aligned, then the entire piece is rotated around 180 degrees to put back into the wood vise on the work bench. For board two there are 2 dark dots in the middle near the edge visible When the guy goes to drill board two, he is using the fence distance set from the dark side of board one to set the same distance as the side with dots on board two (which is now facing him.) In the final shot the boards are joined together and you can see the dark marks on board one and the dark dots on board two now joined on the same surface plane.

[@millea8]

I really appreciate the explanation! Thank you. I was finally able to figure it out today with a couple sample blocks and a good amount of trial and error, but your explanation will serve as a guide I can file away for reference.

[@tommc49]

Looks to me like his hand often moves when he starts the drill which would lead to inaccurate alignment which is mentioned in many of the user reviews on Amazon. I guess it's worth a try given the low price.

[@andyb1368]

That is the one drawback with this jig. I have used mine for a few projects, and for the most part, I have gotten decent results. I find that I need to get the workpiece clamped solidly when drilling and really try to lean into it and brace myself to keep the jig as steady as possible when drilling. Usually it works fairly well.

[@tommc49]

@@andyb1368 I was unable to get consistent results with this jig. Could be my fault. I ended up buying the more expensive, but much better, Jessem 8350, currently on sale at Woodcraft.

[@chvydrptop]

Insane that none of the local big box stores have this in stock, everything has to be shipped.

[@Asphalt_Cowboy_815]

I bought mine at Menards. The jig works pretty well considering the price.

[@happykt]

I agree. I just ordered this kit last week and picked it up yesterday at my local big box store, along with a straight hole drill guide and short countersink drill bits (which I also had to special order). I also asked the clerk the same thing clerk yesterday (why they didn't have this basic items) when I was picking it up amongst all several aisles of Halloween decorations crowding the front of the store.

[@carololivie2095]

This is great!

[@byronargueta1026]

Thank you !!!!

[@brianreyes7203]

How can I use this tool for lining up dowels on boards that are 1.5" x 1.5"; i.e. I am making a plant stand with oak, kind of looks like a stool.

[@kunad2294]

it work very good no problem.

[@kunad2294]

thank, very good product.

[@kle2217]

Can you do a 45 degree bevel or miter dowel joint with this jig?

[@milescraft]

No, this is not designed for 45-degree bevel or miter dowel joints.

[@davidmcgrath6507]

Depends on the size

[@matthewhays8265]

I would have been nice if you could have said before starting make sure the boards are flush at the point you want to join them so when you put the Dowels together they are flush for the desired finish. Looks like I have to by wood putty. Neat jig though.

[@rolandmetayer7210]

Use common sense ! Cheers !

[@cosasverdes6268]

Why can't you align the holes with the red guide for both boards in that first example?

[@mustafanaser4099]

👍👍👍

[@JS-rp7qb]

Kreg should make one of these

[@grandmastermicochero]

this jig will work well for wood up to 3/4 inch, but i havent been able to get it to work on larger lumbar like joining 2x4

[@milescraft]

This jig is compatible with 1/2″ to 1-1/2” thick lumber.

[@brandofalcon]

@@milescraft I'm currently using 2x10 lumber which is actually 1.5" x 9.25" and I'm having issues getting the jig to center properly for edge joints. I must be doing something wrong?

[@BlueBear49]

Great tool however I will point out that 1/4” and 6mm are not equivalent. If you have 6mm dowels, use a 15/64” drill bit for a tight fit.

[@milescraft]

Milescraft also sells a metric JointMate and metric DowelJigKit, which includes a 6mm drill bushing.

[@lohengrinknight]

Well, I can't see a depth adjustment for board two when drilling the second set of holes. I bought this jig today, and tomorrow I'm going to see what happens. I can already foresee trouble when working with this jig.

[@asddsa-uy9ko]

it depends on your choice of dowel length. some people cut their own dowel. so you have to calculate it. if u use 5 centimeter dowel u can drill 3 cm for the first board then +2 cm for your second board. if u would work repeateble dowel you can also use 2 screwbits. you can use them for each drills.

[@Jamus1975]

So now I'm using the 5/16th jig hole. When I'm trying to drill a hole on the butt ends with the jig upside down, the 5/16 hole is on the left side of the jig, not the middle. When I rotate the jig to center the hole, only the 3/8 hole lines up in the middle. The 5/16th never lines up middle.

[@milescraft]

In figure 4 on page 5 of the product manual there are illustrations on how to center the jig using all three of the bushing guides. www.milescraft.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/1309-1359-DowelJigKit-Manual.pdf

[@beastmodejelly8654]

Lifesaver

[@robertbrunston5406]

Thank you.

[@RichardAC59]

How do you center to two smaller outer holes? For smaller thickness. I had to use the largest size for 1/2 inch wood.

[@richardlug6139]

One way that might work is butt up two pieces of the same thickness in a vise or clamped together making the working area wider. As long as they are the same thickness and aligned right the self center pins can be on different boards and still work. Or if possible think ahead and drill holes before you rip down your pieces into there final sizes.

[@andyb1368]

To center for either the 1/4 or 5/16 holes, you put place the jig with the centering pins that are on the side of the jig with the desired hole size on on either side of the stock and then rotate the jig so the the pins are bearing on on either side. Doing that will center the drill guid hole over the stock.

[@higherwater43]

I bought the kit mainly for the bits and stuff, it moves around on me and makes an inaccurate hole and it is really not made for make volume holes, maybe repair or something like that vs the other ones. Good for beginners but you would want a lot better one later on maybe sooner than later.

[@Loenthall88]

What about the two bushings on either side of the middle one: how does one center those?

[@milescraft]

Page 5 of the product manual shows you how to center on the two outer bushings. www.milescraft.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/1309-1359-DowelJigKit-Manual.pdf

[@ScottPriestley]

One question - using the pegs to center the drilling hole only works for the center hole, correct?

[@milescraft]

Hey Scott, you can center with all three of the holes! Check out page five of the product manual for more information on how to center using the 1/4" and 5/16" holes. www.milescraft.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/1309-1359-DowelJigKit-Manual.pdf

[@doncatchpole]

Just bought one. Tried it twice. Not happy.

[@joepearson9704]

Soooo...how do you use it on the end of a 1x3 or 1x4 board. I want to put two dowels in the end but doesn't really give me a good tutorial for that. Otherwise, good video.

[@RobbyNowell]

Is this Matt Vanderlist doing the voiceover?

[@mariano_353]

Can anyone that has been using this jig for some time tell me if those bushings got worn or distorted in any way? Thanks!

[@cliffcarlo180]

You forgot to mention taking off the guide fence at 6:16 when drilling the second set of dowel pins.

[@robertbutler8004]

Cliff Carlo do you think it was necessary for this guy to mention that? It seems obvious to me!!!

[@TheTeamuscle]

10mm works perfectly. But the 6 and 8mm dont.line up in the middle of the piece

[@WilliamRamonTexeira]

I'm having a bad time with the 6mm too... I rarely use 10mm dowels...

[@joselinares7488]

I would like to know how many weeks takes to be delivered? I want to order it .

[@milescraft]

For more information on ordering one of these jigs, please contact [e-mail]

[@thiagodfs81]

7:15 - I bought this Jig. This video does not show what silver metal pieces are used for.

[@milescraft]

The Dowel Tenon/Centers are used to accurately mark the location of dowel holes or existing pin locations in the second board being joined. To view images of this application, please visit www.milescraft.com/product/8-pc-doweltenoncenter-set/.

[@macleodgordon]

There is nothing in the video nor the instructions that came with the jig kit as to what the 'Dowel Tenon Centers' are used for. Can you please explain?

[@milescraft]

Dowel tenons/centers accurately mark the location of dowel holes or existing pin locations in the second board being joined. To see these in action, please view our video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bojbd2mwec-pps0

[@wahl44]

Try a corner joint width wise...

[@pablomoraga6376]

im using 8 mm dowel, how can i change the tube of the jig to the center

[@milescraft]

The bushings on the jig are fixed and are not interchangeable. On page 5 of the instruction manual, for creating corner joints, there are different positions to ensure self-centering for the different sized dowels. www.milescraft.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/02.02.16-DowelJigKit.pdf

[@laureanocastro485]

que precio tiene la herramienta

[@milescraft]

You can find the DowelJigKit here: www.milescraft.com/product/doweljigkit-2/

[@johnmarston8062]

Como se usan los centros de espigas(dowel tenon centers)?

[@milescraft]

Please view the Milescraft Dowel/Tenon Center Set video for more information on using the dowel tenon centers. kzbin.info/www/bejne/bojbd2mwec-pps0

[@yannicks.8772]

I got one of those... am I the only one having a problem with the size of the holes? None of the dowels is actually fitting correctly (neither into the guide cells nor into the guide bushing) . I even broke one when I had to use excessive force to get the joint mate off the dowel after the measuring process. I get that they have to tight but breaking the dowels because you have to rip around the joint mate cant be the idea... I tried sanding down the dowels to fit them but that's too much work

[@martinluther2372]

Can i use it to make 45* angled dowel connections

[@martinoamello3017]

Nope..utterly useless for such operations..

[@tristanledgerwood8956]

That drill looked like it was struggling drilling that hole

[@robertbutler8004]

Tristian the drill bits that are provided are rubbish I now use high-speed drill bits they are much better.

[@Anto-kz5hk]

I bought it online but I don't have the drill bit. Where can I buy from?

[@grandmastermicochero]

LOWES

[@wahl44]

Rotate the joint mate? Not getting this

[@7Earthsky]

It's Jigtastic.