How to Line Up Dowel Pegs

For proper dowel alignment, use a doweling jig.

To properly line up dowel pegs, its best to use a doweling jig. It takes the guesswork out of dowel alignment. There are different types of dowel alignment tools, but the best one for lining up dowels is a self-centering jig that fits over the edge of a piece of wood. Held in place by small clamps, it's the only way to go for lining up dowel pegs to create solid wood panels, tabletops or any application where two pieces of wood need to be joined together with perfectly aligned dowel pegs.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• 2 Pieces lumber, 6 by 32 by 3/4 inch
• Tape measure
• Tri-square
• Pencil
• Self-centering dowel jig
• Hand drill
• Drill bit, brad tip, 1/2 inch
• 7 Dowels, 3 by 1/2 inch

1. Measure the thickness of the lumber. If the doweling jig has presets for different thickness, adjust the jig to the correct thickness. If it is self-adjusting, don't change it.

2. Stand the lumber up on its edge. Stretch the tape measure down the edge and make marks with the pencil at 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24 and 28 inches on both pieces.

3. Draw a straight line across the edge of the lumber at the marks using the tri-square.

4. Open the clamp on the dowel jig. Slide it onto the edge of the lumber. There will be a corresponding mark on the dowel jig that lines up with the bushing for the 1/2 inch dowel. Line this mark up with the first line on the edge of the board.

5. Clamp the jig on to the board by tightening the clamp. Insert the drill into the jig. Turn on the drill and drill down through the bushing into the wood, letting the bushing on the jig align the drill as you go.

6. Pull the drill out and set it down. Release the clamp and slide the jig down to the next line.

7. Align the corresponding marks on the next line, tighten the clamp and drill the hole. Drill all of the holes on both boards in this manner.

8. Place a dowel in each hole. Gently tap into place approximately 1/2 inch deep. Check the alignment by matching it up with the corresponding holes in the other board.

Tips & Warnings

• Do a test fit on your dowel after drilling your first hole. If it's too tight, or too loose, get a different bit. Check your depth. Mark your desired depth on the drill bit with a piece of tape. The two boards can now be joined together using the lined up dowel peg holes. Insert glue, dowels and then clamp across both boards

• Always wear safety glasses when working with wood.

References

• Peachtree USA: Dowel Jig Instruction
• Woodcraft: Self Centering Doweling Jigs

Resources

• Renovation Headquarters: Using Dowel Joinery