Here's an idea. The hole in the jig, could be drilled a little larger to install a brass or steel insert. Once the hole is drilled, super glue the metal tube inside! Multiple jigs could be built to accept different sized dowels!
I appreciate that you always admit the shortcomings of designs and plan for improvements. That is something every maker should consider, but most posters don’t acknowledge flaws or failures in their vids. Cheers.
Guys, I am pleased, and surprised that this discussion has gone on this long without any flame wars. Bravo! So, yes, this jig - modified with Oillite bushings - is a winner. As an aside, less flashy videos, detailing the very same "hack" have been around for years; so, self-marketing wins again! ;-) Having said that, I am shocked that no one has stood up, in defense of the Domino (even the Domino owners)! Guys, if you find a dowel joint is satisfactory, by all means; go with it. The dowel joint is the time-saving king. The dowel joint is also the natural choice foe tabletop glue-ups, because the long grain of the boards is parallel; thus, you are mostly using the dowels as an alignment tool. However, when you need a reliably strong joint, e.g. a leg, joining to the bottom of a cabinet, you would be wise to consider the use of a mortise-and-tenon joint, because the generous long-grain gluing surface, in both pieces, is connected by the broad "cheeks" of the tenon. All the Domino does, is automate "slip" tenon, or "loose" tenon" joinery. However, that "one thing" it does is a wonderful thing, because you are - with sufficient practice (Domino owners...if the shoe fits...) - employing a device which bangs-out a mortise & tenon joint in less time than it takes to do pocket holes. Regarding the Domino; "Don't have the money" is one thing. "Don't understand the tool, so I'll bitch about the price" is quite another.
Well if you already got a drill press like some of us then this already saves you some cash. Also, a kreg pocket hole jig like the one he showed costs $40. If you were already planning on buying one of their more expensive jigs you can buy a cheap drill press on amazon for sub $80 and use it to make some of these jigs and use the drill press for other projects.
I have used dowels and have them fail consistently. I bought a Kreg K4 and the joints are strong without glue and even stronger with glue. The setup is easy and since I don't have a good drill press I don't have to be concerned with having the hole PERFECTLY square. And the Kreg K4 cost me $70 at Lowes. For the strength and ease of use, it is a very good value.
I did a search for the blue jig and they learned as industry everywhere that you don't want to be a one trick pony! This seems to be violation of Occam's Razor, but in many places BIGGER IS BETTER!!! And it's got "Hardened Drill Guides!" (is.gd/DNiC1t)
Iron atheist yes pocket holes do and i use them a lot but they leave a hole in the wood so don't forget work required to fill them because you can only hide so many of them. Pocket holes are limited in their use if you want a decent finish product
@@hpjk772 Yes, if you go on their website they've got an upgraded version of the single tool on a machine with multiple tenon tools that works together in a gang fashion and holding the workpieces with air clamps and multiple automatic drills in a stationary machine so I guess that's why it's a $12,000.00 tool.
This video just saved my life. I was literally considering a Kreg jig but I've been put off by the fact that everything is expensive, the jig, the screws, the drill bit etc. With this method I can do joinery like my grandad used to, dowels are cheap, glue is cheap and this is obviously a lot stronger
Just put in a 3/8 inch metal piping in the holes, glued with an epoxy, and your jig will last for YEARS to come. I've made mine just like that about 9 or 10 years ago, I sealed my block of wood so it wouldn't decay too quickly and after all these years, it's still my best doweling jig ever. I have a 150$ Jig that I bought about 20 years ago, made of solid steel, it's good, but such a hassle to use. One just like you showed is one of the easiest ones to make and to use and as you said, if it breaks, who cares, you can make a new one for a couple of bucks and using scrap. Good video. Thanks!
Awesome video. I like home built tools just because. I’d consider an acrylic block. And I’d drill your holes a bit oversized and line them with steel tubing or conduit. Finally, I’d thicken the block and drill three or four holes from left to right at the depth needed for multiple thickness material. That gives you version two of your jig and a whole new video... Thanks again.
Cool idea! To keep the hole from getting loose over time, you could just drill the hole bigger and put some kind of metal sleeve inside the jig. I'm thinking a brass pipe with the same inner diameter as your drill bit.
I use two skateboard bearings (model 608zz), the hole in the middle is 8mm and hardened metal. The bearings are sunken into the ends of a block similar as the one in this video. In case the drill starts rubbling the bearing's inner race it will spin instead of wearing down. I made the bore in the block 15mm and added a hole in the block so sawdust can be ejected. For smaller drill sizes one could use another jig with different sized bearings or use an aluminum pipe sleeve with 8mm outer diameter and desired inner diameter. Optionally, cut a thread on one ends of the pipe and use a nut to prevent the pipe from slipping in and/or dropping out.
+W.A. van Buren That's genius save for the limitation of bearing availability and all the sizes, but realistically, you'd probably only need 3 to 4 pairs. Next we'll be putting laser pointers on the guidepiece...! Hey, waitaminnit...
This will totally save me the hassle of trying to pocket screw a piece freehand or the $ of buying a jig for a project i need to do. The result will look better and be stronger. Glad I watched.
Dumbest comments ever. This is clearly targeted to noobs that do not have the budget and get discourage when RUclips woodworkers use thousands of dollars in equipment. It is obviously that if you have the budget then I am sure you should get a Domino.
I own a kreg jig and I like the way it looks with the plugs. You can get darker or lighter ones. I love the strength the pockethole, even without glue, provides. Some people dislike the pockethole plugs, but I think it shows that it is strong because it has pocketholes!
Both tools would make it easier, but you don't need either to make this. He obviously used his because it results in a faster build. Just like you really don't need the drill press. Certainly would make it easier, but I made by without one for the longest time.
We need more videos like this-which gave me a great idea using this jig concept to build a simple wood block as a guide piece for cleanly setting surface pilot holes in order to prevent larger drill bits from dancing around the wood.
Hi David, I just got into woodworking about 6 months ago, moved into a subdivision where new houses are being built, so I started dumpster diving for wood. My wife got me hooked on your videos so i tried making your jig. It's not perfect but i've made a few adjustments and it's pretty damn close. I put a 3/8" copper sleeve in the hole that I got from Home Depot. It was $4.98 for 2' tube. bought a 5/16" dowel rod that's 3' long for $.90. This thing is amazing and so simple to use. Plus I made one for my 2X projects that I use a 1/2" dowel rod. ( It's the biggest drill bit I have, LOL ). Got my sleeve from HD again for $.94. These should last forever with the copper tubes. Unfortunately, I don't use my Kreg pocket jig any more because this looks so much cleaner and it's solid as a rock. Thanks again, love the videos. Tim.
I like the fact that it functions as a tenon as you say. A lot of the commenters have great ideas about sleeving the hole to prevent wear. There is also the fact that almost all of us have enough scrap laying around to do this in a jiffy.
You said in the video you'd like to make the body of your dowel jig out of metal. You can get a seamless steel spacer that is 3/8 I.D. and 1/2 O.D. at lowes drill your hole and epoxy the spacer in and that will keep the hole on your jig from becoming reamed out and inaccurate over time.
I made one of these and it's really difficult to get a perfect alignment. I invested in the Dowelmax and that's my go to. It is strong and very precise.
I love this design! I'm going to knock a few of these out this week. As for the problem you described with the hole in the block expanding over time, I found a solution you might like. Last summer I made DIY pocket hole jig (similar to Kreg), and had that problem with the first version. After some experimenting, I discovered something pretty cool. The local hardware place (not a big box shop, but the local Ace Hardware in my case) sells smooth stainless steel bushings with a 1/8" wall. Basically, it's just a piece of straight metal tube, for about $1 ea. I was able to drill a bigger hole (5/8" instead of 3/8"), wax the hole, and then hammer the bushing into the hole. It worked great, much like what you'd see from a Kreg. This would probably work easily with your design too, and be much easier since all the finished surfaces are perpendicular to each other. Thanks for another great video! I can't wait to knock out a few of these :)
This is actually a good idea. The one thing that drives me crazy about the Kreg Gig when trying to join two pieces of wood is it wants to twist the wood when the screws tighten up. Makes it really had to get a completely flat surface. I'm going to try this.
Tom Kenworthy I made a similar jig a while back and used brass bushings from the hardware store. Best part was the bushings I got had a little lip on one side, No chance of it walking out with epoxy.
Hi David, Great video! I'll definitely make this jig, but I'll drill it out to accept a 3/8" piece of stainless tubing. The beauty of the tubing is that it is precisely 3/8 of an inch I.D. and will not wear out as the hardwood will. Thanks for the tip and keep up the great work helping everyone save their hard-earned money.
This would make a great gift to pass along to the woodworker just getting started, who cant afford the Domino but wants to get good quality joints. David- brilliant as always.
Nice creativity and ingenuity. Some people are hating because the Kreg and Festool are also good options... but I think they got lost on youtube and thought they were watching the "Buy Something" channel and not the "Make Something" channel. Well made video, good content, good presentation. You sir have earned one "like". :)
Genious ! You saved me ! I am in a budget and was looking for a good jig but after this, no reason to get any !! THANK YOU ! YYOU SAVED ME A TON OF MONEY Question, could be made with two holes ?
For the "lip", you might experiment with another short piece of 3/8" dowel, hot-glued to the free edge of the plexiglass. Overall, a very cool idea. Simplicity is almost always best.
I have made myself one, and it works great, I am a cabinetmaker by trade and if you want even less work after the Glueups you use a countersink on the dowelholes. That way most of the glue stays in the joint. Every drop of Glue that is being squezzed out just costs you time and money
not sure if this has been suggested, but you can add a 2nd jig for larger boards/dowels on the other and opposite side of the plastic from the original. to use the 2nd jig, just flip it over and turn it around. also acts as a "handle" to help hold the jig against the board
I have to said, this is simply genious. I was about considering to buy a domino hole maker (sorry I don't know the exact name) and I was navigating on RUclips and I saw your video where you are showing 4 differents joints methods. Honestly, you win a sub 100%. Thank you so much, awesome videos ! :)
Made one out of metal working. It is working awsome! made it 4.625 wide, i put the 3/8 and 1/2 hole in the same jig. The glue would not hold long to the metal so i tapped two holes in the center 1/4 20 seemed to work well.
I don't have a drill press, so I would just split the wood into two, cut a rabbet straight in the middle with the table saw (assuming you have a good fence), glue the two together, and get your drill bit set, start with a small bit until you get to the 3/8 inch that you want. hope this helps somebody out
I've been experimenting with using a 3d printer to build the exact same doweling jig, but reinforcing the hole with a stainless steel spacer. Guess I was overthinking it!
Stainless steel is far too soft for use with a tool steel of HSS steel drill. Same goes for copper or brass. Traditionally bushings were made from hardened tool steel
@@jobandknock427 not to be compared to copper and brass, stainless steel actually work hardens, to a degree, i used seamless SS pipe for my 3D printed pocket hole jig, hole still snug after 300+ holes
Awesome! Thanks also for the ideas re: improvements. The comment re: wiggle in the dowel hole was very timely as I am assembling a bench today using 1/2" dowels on 1" thick oak. As an aside, anyone with a pocket hole jig may already have a Kreg type wood project clamp to secure the jig as well.
Nice jig. But : What happens to thicker boards ? The dowels will be one sided. Or you would have to build a jig like that for all different kinds of lumber for each millimeter. Also I would wage the domino stronger than a simple dowel. Also: pocket holes are something completely different. They are screwed usually and not dowelled. And usually they are at and angle (again a simple jig like that for a lot of different angles and thicknesses are needed). Also pocket hole jigs are not that expansive. For doweling: I have 4 little 2 sided metal spiked. Drill the holes in the first piece (with drill press), lay in metal inlays. Second piece Flush to the first one, hammer, drill second side.
Nice video.. It's cheap alright..but ther is no way what so ever that this can replace my domino. Its ok for home improvement or hobby in your garage. But for woodworker like me or everyone else this is just cool idea :-) Good luck
My Dear Rudyard Kipling, I'm not entirely sure the population in the Hereafter needs to use brass tubing. Otherwise I'm sure The Good Lord God, would have provided it for those that are there. Perhaps there are many more stronger alloys there that could be used, if need be?
As for tube with ID of 3/8, while I've not made a jig like David's I have made jigs to accept a bit in the past, if I can't find a tube with the correct I'd I just find a fitting slightly under sizes and drill it out to the size of the bit
Good video, BUT a dowel jig in no way replaces a pocket hole jig or a festool domino. A pocket hole jig allows you to screw together pieces of wood, such as a face frame without having to use clamps...point blank...nothing more. But that's the beauty of the jig. However, it does not align the pieces as a dowel jig or a festool domino, that being said I like to use the domino or you can use a dowel jig and pocket hole jig in conjuction with one another to create fast, super strong, self aligning jointery The festool domino, or loose tenon system has many other great uses other than simply aligning boards to be glued together. Mortise and tenon jointery, this is what the domino is all about....not to be confused with a dowel. A mortise and tenon joint does not allow pieces to rotate which makes for a much stronger joint that is far less likely to fail due to rotational forces applied to the joint. Also, you can glue a domino or loose tenon into a mortise and let it dry and do something you could never do with a dowel....and that is a non glued draw bored mortise and tenon joint This is a must for breadboard ends of a tabletop. I use to do this by hand, but now the festool domino jointer makes this a breeze, and extremely fast and rock solid. So a dowel jig can do some things a domino jointer can, but it can not replace it. And it simply is not even close to the same thing as a pocket hole jig. Dowels or loose tenons still requires clamping, whereas the pocket jig is used instead of clamps.
The downside to using a pocket hole jig in these particular applications is that you can see them, even if you glue a dowel over the top of the screw and flush cut it you can still see the evidence of it. Personally I don’t want someone to look under my tables and see this when I can just use hidden dowels or even a fancy machine for its own version of hidden dowels to join my boards. This idea is great for a one or two time use and super super cheap compared to buying one of the said fancy machines AND their fancy shaped dowels. However, all the strength any pocket holes or dowel type applications can offer become redundant once you add glue along each board. They just become guides for alignment when glue comes in to play, and the glue becomes the strength.
I hear what you're saying, but calm down. I think his audience for this video is the hobbiest who doesn't want or need a dozen different tools that each do a slightly different version of the same thing. I.e. Joinery writ large.
I own a kreg jig and I like the way it looks with the plugs. You can get darker or lighter ones. I love the strength the pockethole, even without glue, provides. Some people dislike the pockethole plugs, but I think it shows that it is strong because it has pocketholes!
Brailliant. Thanks so much for this video. I want to mitre join two slabs but I can't afford the Festool domino. So I am trying to figure out how to create some kind of large diameter dowel jig on a 45 degree angle. You have given me both inspiration and the basis of a solution. Thanks.
Nice one! I work in electronics and make my own jigs for easier work. A simple jig can like you say, save money and make life a whole lot easier. Nice vid.
I think he's saying that it replaces a pocket hole jig in function, not in technique. As shown in the video, all you have to do is draw a line across the joint and drill the holes on piece. The pocket hole is nice since it doesn't matter where you put the holes since you're only putting them in one piece. I can say for sure, though, that dowel joinery is by far stronger than pocket hole joinery. Sometimes you need that strength, other times you don't.
John Bruce tbh do both. The pocket hole clamps the bord to. Which so no it doesn't replace the jig as you use glue and glue is a very strong connection on itself
As some one who owns both a domino and air powered pocket hole drilling machine they have their place. Yes dowels are a great joint and I have a few jigs to use them as well but in a production setting time is money we can build things faster with those tools thus saving money in labor and having more completed projects at the end of the day.
Very simple to make and use. I tried freehand on some melamine to repair a cupboard that was damaged on moving and I got away with it, Just! This jig would make it so easy. I am building one tomorrow!
1: this in no way replaces a pocket hole jig. Pocket holes are drilled at an angle to join 2 pieces together and still be able to be disassembled because you can use screws 2: this is just a cheap way to replace a biscuit joint. Biscuit cutters are $30 at Lowe's. That price beats the $900 he spent on that drill press to make something less effective as a biscuit cutter
Sandpaper glued to mating surfaces makes this type of jig a lot more stable, also Very easy to install a brass rod and drill that out on the press for the longevity that you’re looking for.. great vid..💪🏻💪🏻💪🏻
Randy Allaway haha no you wouldn't, if you're anything like me once you get the itch to buy a tool no matter how many cheaper alternatives there are you will still buy it! 😀
I dont know where you buy your stuff but 900 $ for a domino is stupid. Its most be in gold and silver at this price. I have a Dewalt 18v cordless, it work better then the cheaper method and just cost me 100 $
that's a cool idea. specially, beginner like me can surely benefit. Just a suggestion, can we put metal pipes in that hole so that it does not wear out over time
Trouble is I've made so many great jigs I've seen on youtube, and like most people with lack of space, they're everywhere; that when I look at half of them, I've forgotten what they're for. But this is a great little one I must try.
FullFledged2010 it may be but there’s a lot of us out here that don’t have close to $1,000 to lay down on the tool. I would love to buy most of the festool system cause I think they are great tools and they would change my world in so many ways but I’m a disabled Desert Storm Vet and some months like this one its all I can do to scrape up enough projects I can do just so I can afford my medications. I wish festool would develop some kind of program to help us afford their tools like an easy payment plan. Instead of just giving out their tools to countless you tubers to promote, how about letting me pay you for your nice tools each month and I’ll remote them just as good as the ones your giving them too except you’ll be giving a Vet the chance to work again and have some sort of reason to still be here. Take care everyone and I wish everyone has a merry Christmas season!!!
@@1982MCI uesable domino tools start at $50, at least here in Europe. not sure why everybody needs to start out with the top-level tool. your first car was a Lambo, too?
I added a hardened steel bushing from Home Depot.......I have so much plexiglass left that I am making one as needed for different thicknesses.....thanks for the video!
Nice work. This jig reminds me of a jig I bought 30 years ago - in plastic and metal and it does the same work as this homemade jig. I can sent a picture from it if you want. I know the possibilties of both and it can't reach the Festool Domino. Except that it is cheaper.
I worked at a cabinet shop when I got out of high school back in 1977. This shop used a dowl-it dowl jig to join face frames. You will learn how to use a belt sander if you use dowels, no if ands or buts. I have a Kreg pocket hole jig in my shop. There is no comparison if the back side of your work is hidden. If both sides are visible I would suggest a biscuit joiner. A dowl jig is a tool that has a place but will never replace any of these other tools.
Use a hardened drill bushing for your jig. We use these a work for different things that we build. The ones I saw on Grainger are at Rockwell 62-64. This is at the top of the hardness scale. You should never need another one. I will build one of these here in the near future. Great idea, thanks.
@@chriss.3476 I'm not sure Chris, but believe he's stating his jig doesn't require a pocket hole, or Dominoe . Just promoting how to build a doweling jig.
@@joequillun7790 even if that were the case, it still doesn't make sense (to me) since dowel jigs don't require a pocket hole jig in general. I don't know. Not mad or anything... Just confused.
In Poland we say at stuff like this "zajebiste" with mean totally awesome, great idea!! :)
zajebiste!
Made in Poland In Russia we say ЗАЕБИСЬ!!!
Заебись!
In Russian it sounds almost the same :D but it's considered to be obscene language
MEGA ZAJEBISTE!!! :)
Made in Poland in Slovak republic we say po piči!
Here's an idea.
The hole in the jig, could be drilled a little larger to install a brass or steel insert.
Once the hole is drilled, super glue the metal tube inside!
Multiple jigs could be built to accept different sized dowels!
Yes, this works. It is exactly what l did. We thought alike
@@casketbier151 Exactly ... A insert is necessary .
I appreciate that you always admit the shortcomings of designs and plan for improvements. That is something every maker should consider, but most posters don’t acknowledge flaws or failures in their vids.
Cheers.
Guys, I am pleased, and surprised that this discussion has gone on this long without any flame wars. Bravo! So, yes, this jig - modified with Oillite bushings - is a winner. As an aside, less flashy videos, detailing the very same "hack" have been around for years; so, self-marketing wins again! ;-)
Having said that, I am shocked that no one has stood up, in defense of the Domino (even the Domino owners)! Guys, if you find a dowel joint is satisfactory, by all means; go with it. The dowel joint is the time-saving king. The dowel joint is also the natural choice foe tabletop glue-ups, because the long grain of the boards is parallel; thus, you are mostly using the dowels as an alignment tool.
However, when you need a reliably strong joint, e.g. a leg, joining to the bottom of a cabinet, you would be wise to consider the use of a mortise-and-tenon joint, because the generous long-grain gluing surface, in both pieces, is connected by the broad "cheeks" of the tenon.
All the Domino does, is automate "slip" tenon, or "loose" tenon" joinery. However, that "one thing" it does is a wonderful thing, because you are - with sufficient practice (Domino owners...if the shoe fits...) - employing a device which bangs-out a mortise & tenon joint in less time than it takes to do pocket holes.
Regarding the Domino; "Don't have the money" is one thing. "Don't understand the tool, so I'll bitch about the price" is quite another.
I think I'll save money on the drill press and buy a pocket hole jig
I got a used drill press for CAD$80
lol that is what I was thinking
Same here, no drill press, and nobody I know is a woodworker 😂😭
Well if you already got a drill press like some of us then this already saves you some cash. Also, a kreg pocket hole jig like the one he showed costs $40. If you were already planning on buying one of their more expensive jigs you can buy a cheap drill press on amazon for sub $80 and use it to make some of these jigs and use the drill press for other projects.
+
Tony475130
Hmm I would trust the accuracy and alignment of an $80 drill press about as much as I trust a lawyer not to overcharge me.
Finally, something that makes sense and is actually useful and handy. Thank you. Looking forward to see more.
I have used dowels and have them fail consistently. I bought a Kreg K4 and the joints are strong without glue and even stronger with glue. The setup is easy and since I don't have a good drill press I don't have to be concerned with having the hole PERFECTLY square. And the Kreg K4 cost me $70 at Lowes. For the strength and ease of use, it is a very good value.
I did a search for the blue jig and they learned as industry everywhere that you don't want to be a one trick pony! This seems to be violation of Occam's Razor, but in many places BIGGER IS BETTER!!! And it's got "Hardened Drill Guides!"
(is.gd/DNiC1t)
Iron atheist yes pocket holes do and i use them a lot but they leave a hole in the wood so don't forget work required to fill them because you can only hide so many of them. Pocket holes are limited in their use if you want a decent finish product
How on earth did you get it for $70?
@@mcshawnboy Shawn Jenkins I think I need an adult to read the price on that thing for me. I keep seeing 12k. Silly me.
@@hpjk772 Yes, if you go on their website they've got an upgraded version of the single tool on a machine with multiple tenon tools that works together in a gang fashion and holding the workpieces with air clamps and multiple automatic drills in a stationary machine so I guess that's why it's a $12,000.00 tool.
I did this! Made a planter for my beautiful daughter-in-law. Works very welll Thanks very much for the brilliant idea.
This video just saved my life. I was literally considering a Kreg jig but I've been put off by the fact that everything is expensive, the jig, the screws, the drill bit etc. With this method I can do joinery like my grandad used to, dowels are cheap, glue is cheap and this is obviously a lot stronger
Just put in a 3/8 inch metal piping in the holes, glued with an epoxy, and your jig will last for YEARS to come. I've made mine just like that about 9 or 10 years ago, I sealed my block of wood so it wouldn't decay too quickly and after all these years, it's still my best doweling jig ever. I have a 150$ Jig that I bought about 20 years ago, made of solid steel, it's good, but such a hassle to use. One just like you showed is one of the easiest ones to make and to use and as you said, if it breaks, who cares, you can make a new one for a couple of bucks and using scrap. Good video. Thanks!
Nice. What a great, cheap substitute for joining. Good job as usual.
Awesome video. I like home built tools just because. I’d consider an acrylic block. And I’d drill your holes a bit oversized and line them with steel tubing or conduit. Finally, I’d thicken the block and drill three or four holes from left to right at the depth needed for multiple thickness material. That gives you version two of your jig and a whole new video... Thanks again.
Cool idea! To keep the hole from getting loose over time, you could just drill the hole bigger and put some kind of metal sleeve inside the jig. I'm thinking a brass pipe with the same inner diameter as your drill bit.
This thought came to my mind as well when David mentioned the hole getting a little loose over time.
it wont stick to the inside of the hole as well as simple dowl and glue its that way because it works dont fix things that aint broken
I use two skateboard bearings (model 608zz), the hole in the middle is 8mm and hardened metal. The bearings are sunken into the ends of a block similar as the one in this video. In case the drill starts rubbling the bearing's inner race it will spin instead of wearing down. I made the bore in the block 15mm and added a hole in the block so sawdust can be ejected.
For smaller drill sizes one could use another jig with different sized bearings or use an aluminum pipe sleeve with 8mm outer diameter and desired inner diameter. Optionally, cut a thread on one ends of the pipe and use a nut to prevent the pipe from slipping in and/or dropping out.
W.A. van Buren h
+W.A. van Buren That's genius save for the limitation of bearing availability and all the sizes, but realistically, you'd probably only need 3 to 4 pairs.
Next we'll be putting laser pointers on the guidepiece...! Hey, waitaminnit...
This will totally save me the hassle of trying to pocket screw a piece freehand or the $ of buying a jig for a project i need to do. The result will look better and be stronger. Glad I watched.
So, can I have your Festool Domino since you don't need it now.
Dang that was my question
I guess I just wasted my money on a Mafell DDF40 duodoweler
Bwhahahahaha best comment ever
Hhhh Boooom
Dumbest comments ever. This is clearly targeted to noobs that do not have the budget and get discourage when RUclips woodworkers use thousands of dollars in equipment. It is obviously that if you have the budget then I am sure you should get a Domino.
I own a kreg jig and I like the way it looks with the plugs. You can get darker or lighter ones. I love the strength the pockethole, even without glue, provides. Some people dislike the pockethole plugs, but I think it shows that it is strong because it has pocketholes!
Hehe so to save a few quid on a festool or pocket jig all I need is a table saw, band saw and a drill press. Cools thanks!
You need a block of wood and a hole drilled ..my budgie will make one for you
If you wouldn't mind thanks
if you're considering a festool, you already have a table saw and a drill press
Both tools would make it easier, but you don't need either to make this. He obviously used his because it results in a faster build. Just like you really don't need the drill press. Certainly would make it easier, but I made by without one for the longest time.
We need more videos like this-which gave me a great idea using this jig concept to build a simple wood block as a guide piece for cleanly setting surface pilot holes in order to prevent larger drill bits from dancing around the wood.
- Hi Festool, Can you sponsor my Chanel?
- Sorry, we don't.
- Hold my beer...
Haha!
Hi David, I just got into woodworking about 6 months ago, moved into a subdivision where new houses are being built, so I started dumpster diving for wood. My wife got me hooked on your videos so i tried making your jig. It's not perfect but i've made a few adjustments and it's pretty damn close. I put a 3/8" copper sleeve in the hole that I got from Home Depot. It was $4.98 for 2' tube. bought a 5/16" dowel rod that's 3' long for $.90. This thing is amazing and so simple to use. Plus I made one for my 2X projects that I use a 1/2" dowel rod. ( It's the biggest drill bit I have, LOL ). Got my sleeve from HD again for $.94. These should last forever with the copper tubes. Unfortunately, I don't use my Kreg pocket jig any more because this looks so much cleaner and it's solid as a rock. Thanks again, love the videos. Tim.
İ just used this little jig in a 7ft board glue up, man how easy it was! Thank you.
I like the fact that it functions as a tenon as you say. A lot of the commenters have great ideas about sleeving the hole to prevent wear. There is also the fact that almost all of us have enough scrap laying around to do this in a jiffy.
You said in the video you'd like to make the body of your dowel jig out of metal. You can get a seamless steel spacer that is 3/8 I.D. and 1/2 O.D. at lowes drill your hole and epoxy the spacer in and that will keep the hole on your jig from becoming reamed out and inaccurate over time.
Just don't overdrill the 1/2 hole. You want the tubing to have no slop so the guide hole stays true.
@@aaronw447 Just epoxy it in and there will be no movement.
Alternatively, get a metal pipe the right diameter, drill a larger hole and drive that pipe in.
Hi Matt, what do you mean by seamless spacer at lowes? where? which department?
They make things called "drill bushings" which is what I was going to suggest until I saw your post. They're made specifically for this purpose.
I made one of these and it's really difficult to get a perfect alignment. I invested in the Dowelmax and that's my go to. It is strong and very precise.
I love this design! I'm going to knock a few of these out this week. As for the problem you described with the hole in the block expanding over time, I found a solution you might like. Last summer I made DIY pocket hole jig (similar to Kreg), and had that problem with the first version.
After some experimenting, I discovered something pretty cool. The local hardware place (not a big box shop, but the local Ace Hardware in my case) sells smooth stainless steel bushings with a 1/8" wall. Basically, it's just a piece of straight metal tube, for about $1 ea. I was able to drill a bigger hole (5/8" instead of 3/8"), wax the hole, and then hammer the bushing into the hole. It worked great, much like what you'd see from a Kreg. This would probably work easily with your design too, and be much easier since all the finished surfaces are perpendicular to each other.
Thanks for another great video! I can't wait to knock out a few of these :)
This is actually a good idea. The one thing that drives me crazy about the Kreg Gig when trying to join two pieces of wood is it wants to twist the wood when the screws tighten up. Makes it really had to get a completely flat surface. I'm going to try this.
Why don't you drill the hole oversized and press metal piece of tubing into use jig?
Great idea! Looking for 3/8" tubing now!
+Make Something Glad I could help. Keep up the good work.
thought the same thing
I was just thinking this same thing.
Tom Kenworthy I made a similar jig a while back and used brass bushings from the hardware store. Best part was the bushings I got had a little lip on one side, No chance of it walking out with epoxy.
Hi David,
Great video! I'll definitely make this jig, but I'll drill it out to accept a 3/8" piece of stainless tubing. The beauty of the tubing is that it is precisely 3/8 of an inch I.D. and will not wear out as the hardwood will. Thanks for the tip and keep up the great work helping everyone save their hard-earned money.
3:14 "...give it just a little bit of slop on that mating hole"
I died.
better to just chamfer the dowel.
This would make a great gift to pass along to the woodworker just getting started, who cant afford the Domino but wants to get good quality joints. David- brilliant as always.
Wow! So many haters! Great idea I'll definitely make one. I just happen to have some leftover plexiglass laying around. Thanks!
They already know everything so they have to troll RUclips
Nice creativity and ingenuity. Some people are hating because the Kreg and Festool are also good options... but I think they got lost on youtube and thought they were watching the "Buy Something" channel and not the "Make Something" channel. Well made video, good content, good presentation. You sir have earned one "like". :)
That etched line trick is my favorite!
You're my favorite!
Genious ! You saved me !
I am in a budget and was looking for a good jig but after this, no reason to get any !! THANK YOU ! YYOU SAVED ME A TON OF MONEY
Question, could be made with two holes ?
For the "lip", you might experiment with another short piece of 3/8" dowel, hot-glued to the free edge of the plexiglass. Overall, a very cool idea. Simplicity is almost always best.
Tom Nally yeah, maybe flaten one side of the dowel or cut it in half and use epoxy.
Instead of the lip, could you stick or glue on rubber dots in the same area to give it added traction for the palm of your hand to grip on?
Tom Nally hot glue sucks
Epoxy
I think it would be more accurate to say that hot glue "adheres". THANK YOU! THANK YOU! I'LL BE HERE ALL WEEK!
Very simple and smart tool. Thanks for sharing!
Perfect thanks
I'll make mine with two holes lined with steel tubing for longevity,
I have made myself one, and it works great, I am a cabinetmaker by trade and if you want even less work after the Glueups you use a countersink on the dowelholes. That way most of the glue stays in the joint. Every drop of Glue that is being squezzed out just costs you time and money
Totally built one of these today! Thanks David!
not sure if this has been suggested, but you can add a 2nd jig for larger boards/dowels on the other and opposite side of the plastic from the original. to use the 2nd jig, just flip it over and turn it around. also acts as a "handle" to help hold the jig against the board
Oversized the hole, go to hobby store and get a brass tube the size of your drill bit and put it in the block to protect it.
I have to said, this is simply genious. I was about considering to buy a domino hole maker (sorry I don't know the exact name) and I was navigating on RUclips and I saw your video where you are showing 4 differents joints methods. Honestly, you win a sub 100%. Thank you so much, awesome videos ! :)
Dude, this is super sweet. You're a genius. Thanks for the tip.
Made one out of metal working. It is working awsome! made it 4.625 wide, i put the 3/8 and 1/2 hole in the same jig. The glue would not hold long to the metal so i tapped two holes in the center 1/4 20 seemed to work well.
I don't have a drill press, so I would just split the wood into two, cut a rabbet straight in the middle with the table saw (assuming you have a good fence), glue the two together, and get your drill bit set, start with a small bit until you get to the 3/8 inch that you want. hope this helps somebody out
Gian Fajardo you could also drill your hole with a hand drill the recut the wood so the hole is 90 deg
Good idea - thanks
Excellent, simile but great idea and thanks for sharing. I'm just about to get into joinery and you've just demystified the dowel..
I've been experimenting with using a 3d printer to build the exact same doweling jig, but reinforcing the hole with a stainless steel spacer. Guess I was overthinking it!
use the spacer i use it on all my drilling jigs, raw wood jigs start losing accuracy after 20+ holes
Stainless steel is far too soft for use with a tool steel of HSS steel drill. Same goes for copper or brass. Traditionally bushings were made from hardened tool steel
@@jobandknock427 not to be compared to copper and brass, stainless steel actually work hardens, to a degree, i used seamless SS pipe for my 3D printed pocket hole jig, hole still snug after 300+ holes
Seriously.... this is the COOLEST jig I have ever seen and I'm going to build me one TOMORROW!!! Thank you for sharing.
you can start a fire by rubbing 2 sticks together as well. Kreg Jig FTW.
Awesome! Thanks also for the ideas re: improvements. The comment re: wiggle in the dowel hole was very timely as I am assembling a bench today using 1/2" dowels on 1" thick oak. As an aside, anyone with a pocket hole jig may already have a Kreg type wood project clamp to secure the jig as well.
it help me.alot thank you again
Great tutorials and all-around information. You are helping me understand a lot of what is missing in my knowledge. Thank you.
Nice jig. But :
What happens to thicker boards ? The dowels will be one sided. Or you would have to build a jig like that for all different kinds of lumber for each millimeter. Also I would wage the domino stronger than a simple dowel. Also: pocket holes are something completely different. They are screwed usually and not dowelled. And usually they are at and angle (again a simple jig like that for a lot of different angles and thicknesses are needed). Also pocket hole jigs are not that expansive. For doweling: I have 4 little 2 sided metal spiked. Drill the holes in the first piece (with drill press), lay in metal inlays. Second piece Flush to the first one, hammer, drill second side.
I am all over this Sir, ingenious in its simplicity as well as its precision.
Nice video..
It's cheap alright..but ther is no way what so ever that this can replace my domino. Its ok for home improvement or hobby in your garage. But for woodworker like me or everyone else this is just cool idea :-)
Good luck
Purple heart. Nice choice. That's a forever tool.
epoxy in a little brass tube with an ID of the 3/8 dowel will help with the wear
Billy McCord
I should have gone through the comments before I had commented. Four hours too late.
Well that's fine if you have access to such a tube, I know of no such source.
Isa Kocoglu me too.....
My Dear Rudyard Kipling,
I'm not entirely sure the population in the Hereafter needs to use brass tubing. Otherwise I'm sure The Good Lord God, would have provided it for those that are there. Perhaps there are many more stronger alloys there that could be used, if need be?
As for tube with ID of 3/8, while I've not made a jig like David's I have made jigs to accept a bit in the past, if I can't find a tube with the correct I'd I just find a fitting slightly under sizes and drill it out to the size of the bit
Great tip. I would add a metal tube inside so I don't have to remake it all the time, but as you said it doesn't take long to do it
Good video, BUT a dowel jig in no way replaces a pocket hole jig or a festool domino.
A pocket hole jig allows you to screw together pieces of wood, such as a face frame without having to use clamps...point blank...nothing more. But that's the beauty of the jig. However, it does not align the pieces as a dowel jig or a festool domino, that being said I like to use the domino or you can use a dowel jig and pocket hole jig in conjuction with one another to create fast, super strong, self aligning jointery
The festool domino, or loose tenon system has many other great uses other than simply aligning boards to be glued together. Mortise and tenon jointery, this is what the domino is all about....not to be confused with a dowel. A mortise and tenon joint does not allow pieces to rotate which makes for a much stronger joint that is far less likely to fail due to rotational forces applied to the joint.
Also, you can glue a domino or loose tenon into a mortise and let it dry and do something you could never do with a dowel....and that is a non glued draw bored mortise and tenon joint This is a must for breadboard ends of a tabletop. I use to do this by hand, but now the festool domino jointer makes this a breeze, and extremely fast and rock solid.
So a dowel jig can do some things a domino jointer can, but it can not replace it. And it simply is not even close to the same thing as a pocket hole jig. Dowels or loose tenons still requires clamping, whereas the pocket jig is used instead of clamps.
The downside to using a pocket hole jig in these particular applications is that you can see them, even if you glue a dowel over the top of the screw and flush cut it you can still see the evidence of it. Personally I don’t want someone to look under my tables and see this when I can just use hidden dowels or even a fancy machine for its own version of hidden dowels to join my boards. This idea is great for a one or two time use and super super cheap compared to buying one of the said fancy machines AND their fancy shaped dowels. However, all the strength any pocket holes or dowel type applications can offer become redundant once you add glue along each board. They just become guides for alignment when glue comes in to play, and the glue becomes the strength.
I hear what you're saying, but calm down. I think his audience for this video is the hobbiest who doesn't want or need a dozen different tools that each do a slightly different version of the same thing. I.e. Joinery writ large.
I use pocket holes but you are correct their one flaw is the hole left behind so you need to do more work hiding or only use in certain ares
I own a kreg jig and I like the way it looks with the plugs. You can get darker or lighter ones. I love the strength the pockethole, even without glue, provides. Some people dislike the pockethole plugs, but I think it shows that it is strong because it has pocketholes!
I wish I'd seen this one before I attempted making my own jig on a shaker door project... LOTS of learning. I love your content man
What about attaching LEDs? Maybe some magnets
That's exactly what this needs! ;)
And while you're at it, install a vacuum cleaner, wi-fi router and an espresso maker!
Brailliant. Thanks so much for this video.
I want to mitre join two slabs but I can't afford the Festool domino. So I am trying to figure out how to create some kind of large diameter dowel jig on a 45 degree angle. You have given me both inspiration and the basis of a solution. Thanks.
I'm wanting to do the same thing. This seems like a good solution. What did you end up doing and has it held up?
@@jeffcater4428 I still haven't done it.
thank you !!!
Nice one! I work in electronics and make my own jigs for easier work. A simple jig can like you say, save money and make life a whole lot easier. Nice vid.
I really don't see how your idea can replace a pocket hole jig, which makes holes at an angle.
I think he's saying that it replaces a pocket hole jig in function, not in technique. As shown in the video, all you have to do is draw a line across the joint and drill the holes on piece. The pocket hole is nice since it doesn't matter where you put the holes since you're only putting them in one piece. I can say for sure, though, that dowel joinery is by far stronger than pocket hole joinery. Sometimes you need that strength, other times you don't.
John Bruce tbh do both. The pocket hole clamps the bord to. Which so no it doesn't replace the jig as you use glue and glue is a very strong connection on itself
It keeps his joints tight 😃
Mihai Mateescu exactly! Save all the money you want. The 9 dollars i spent on a kreg jig is worth it. Dumb idea
I call BS. No Kreg jig is 9 bucks...
As some one who owns both a domino and air powered pocket hole drilling machine they have their place. Yes dowels are a great joint and I have a few jigs to use them as well but in a production setting time is money we can build things faster with those tools thus saving money in labor and having more completed projects at the end of the day.
where the jig meet the stock, you can put a channel for sawdust to escape
I was thinking the same thing as I was editing the video! Kinda like how the pocket hole jig works. Thanks Ariff!
Very simple to make and use. I tried freehand on some melamine to repair a cupboard that was damaged on moving and I got away with it, Just! This jig would make it so easy. I am building one tomorrow!
1: this in no way replaces a pocket hole jig. Pocket holes are drilled at an angle to join 2 pieces together and still be able to be disassembled because you can use screws
2: this is just a cheap way to replace a biscuit joint. Biscuit cutters are $30 at Lowe's. That price beats the $900 he spent on that drill press to make something less effective as a biscuit cutter
and apparently also to prevent joining parallel to the grain to get a stronger connection. Which this also doesn't do.
Where can you get a biscuit cutter for $30. The cheapest one I saw was$50 at harbour freight and they have poor reviews.
Unless he already has the drill press because he uses it for other projects
Sandpaper glued to mating surfaces makes this type of jig a lot more stable, also Very easy to install a brass rod and drill that out on the press for the longevity that you’re looking for.. great vid..💪🏻💪🏻💪🏻
"Slop on the mating hole" lmao. I'm so immature sometimes
😁
3
You should market this, so simple yet clever
Oh no, the WoodTalk podcast just rained on the dowel parade vs dominos. Timing is everything... ;) Nah, good stuff David.
Excellent idea and application! Thanks
Hahahafuck I coulda saved myself $900. THANKS, BUDDY. 😆
Randy Allaway haha no you wouldn't, if you're anything like me once you get the itch to buy a tool no matter how many cheaper alternatives there are you will still buy it! 😀
Rob Evans damn you for being right!
I dont know where you buy your stuff but 900 $ for a domino is stupid. Its most be in gold and silver at this price.
I have a Dewalt 18v cordless, it work better then the cheaper method and just cost me 100 $
fullporaport I'm guessing English is not your first language.
fullporaport if it was gold it would be about 125,000US$ at today's gold price ☺
nice solution, i will build it for my first own workbench. thanks a lot for this video!
I used to make those jigs, then I bought a Domino and I ain't looking back. Great hack anyways
Eric Herlitz I guess it's great if you have to drill a few holes here and there , but try doing this the whole day
Yea, just like I said. I ain't looking back for that *happy domino owner*
that's a cool idea. specially, beginner like me can surely benefit. Just a suggestion, can we put metal pipes in that hole so that it does not wear out over time
This feels kind of like an infomercial. Lol! Good stuff tho.
Kept waiting to hear that for only $9.95 you get one and for just paying shipping and handling you get another one free:)
Trouble is I've made so many great jigs I've seen on youtube, and like most people with lack of space, they're everywhere; that when I look at half of them, I've forgotten what they're for. But this is a great little one I must try.
We used to do this before we got cookie/domino tools and I got to say that Festool is way faster
FullFledged2010 it may be but there’s a lot of us out here that don’t have close to $1,000 to lay down on the tool.
I would love to buy most of the festool system cause I think they are great tools and they would change my world in so many ways but I’m a disabled Desert Storm Vet and some months like this one its all I can do to scrape up enough projects I can do just so I can afford my medications. I wish festool would develop some kind of program to help us afford their tools like an easy payment plan. Instead of just giving out their tools to countless you tubers to promote, how about letting me pay you for your nice tools each month and I’ll remote them just as good as the ones your giving them too except you’ll be giving a Vet the chance to work again and have some sort of reason to still be here.
Take care everyone and I wish everyone has a merry Christmas season!!!
@@1982MCI uesable domino tools start at $50, at least here in Europe. not sure why everybody needs to start out with the top-level tool. your first car was a Lambo, too?
@@1982MCI Hope you are doing ok man?
I added a hardened steel bushing from Home Depot.......I have so much plexiglass left that I am making one as needed for different thicknesses.....thanks for the video!
what about adding a metal sleeve? find a pipe with the proper ID and drill the jig out to the pipes OD. a little epoxy and you're all set
I used to use a bit of copper pipe until i got my Domino
Nice work. This jig reminds me of a jig I bought 30 years ago - in plastic and metal and it does the same work as this homemade jig. I can sent a picture from it if you want. I know the possibilties of both and it can't reach the Festool Domino. Except that it is cheaper.
Why not buy a drill bit 1/64 of an inch larger than your 3/8 dowel then no need to wiggle your drill
Because he's an idiot...
This is genius. Awesome! Can’t wait to do it
Very nice jig brother i like it good idea my friend :)
Is he your brother or your friend? He can't be both.
hes both like a brother and A good friend :)
Joe Cleveland My brother IS my best friend!
Simple and elegant, nice
So you don't need your Domino anymore? Please send it to me. :-)
I worked at a cabinet shop when I got out of high school back in 1977. This shop used a dowl-it dowl jig to join face frames. You will learn how to use a belt sander if you use dowels, no if ands or buts. I have a Kreg pocket hole jig in my shop. There is no comparison if the back side of your work is hidden. If both sides are visible I would suggest a biscuit joiner. A dowl jig is a tool that has a place but will never replace any of these other tools.
0:34 That's what he said.
I have no idea what I just watched! But I love watching this guy's Channel!
Simply very clever, thanks.
Apply sand paper on top of plexiglass for grip. 👍
Then you cant see the material on the other side
Glenn Miller the way he is using this jig, seeing through it is not a concern. The line is the reference point.
Excellent job David! Thanks
Soooooo... Festool Domino giveaway?
Use a hardened drill bushing for your jig. We use these a work for different things that we build. The ones I saw on Grainger are at Rockwell 62-64. This is at the top of the hardness scale. You should never need another one. I will build one of these here in the near future. Great idea, thanks.
Isn't that just a doweling jig?
Yes, definitely not a pocket hole jig. I watched the video waiting for the pocket hole jig and it never happened...
@@chriss.3476 I'm not sure Chris, but believe he's stating his jig doesn't require a pocket hole, or Dominoe . Just promoting how to build a doweling jig.
@@joequillun7790 even if that were the case, it still doesn't make sense (to me) since dowel jigs don't require a pocket hole jig in general. I don't know. Not mad or anything... Just confused.
You have my thumbs up, very good and very simple.