How to Make a Dowel

In this video, we're going to learn how to make a dowel. A dowel is used to strengthen the joint between two pieces of wood

Caution, this task requires:

gloves

closed footwear

To make a dowel, you'll need:

a bow saw

a knife

an auger for wood or hand drill

and a hammer

You'll need:

A tree branch of a similar diameter to the mortise. Choose green wood - or one that's been cut very recently

This project can be done in 3 steps which we will outline for you

Step 1: Saw the branch

Start off by making a hole with the drill or auger in a halving joint, this will serve as a pilot hole

TO learn more, see our videos on making a mortise and making a halving joint

Saw the branch to the desired length adding the length of your handspan - from the tips of your outstretched thumb and little finger - or approximately 20cm, to give ample margin when making your dowel

Step 2: Size the wood

Use your knife to shave the wood down to size

Turn it regularly to maintain a uniform roundness

Saw the other end of the dowel to flatten it off

Check that the dowel is the same size as the diameter of the hole

Careful, the dowel shouldn't slip into the hole easily

Once you have sized it down to the right diameter, plane down the entirety of the length of the dowel to this size.

Once the entire dowel is at the right diameter, you're ready to assemble

Step 3: Assembly

Position dowel vertically, over the mortise

Use the hammer to gently tap the dowel into the hole

Once it is firmly in, you can start hitting a little harder

If you are having difficultly getting the dowel in, you can size it down more using a chisel

Once the dowel sticks through the other side of the joint, saw off the exess for a flat surface

Turn the joint over and do the same with the excess on the other side

Now you know how to make a dowel!