How to Drill Wood Dowels
Wooden dowels are one of the most ubiquitous and useful craft products, good for construction of everything from small handicrafts to large woodworking projects. Many dowel craft projects call for the user to drill a hole through a dowel, but this can be a challenge due to the curvature of the wood and, in some cases, its thickness. Compensate for these issues by securing and marking your dowel and using proper technique with your drill.
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Things You'll Need
- Dowel
- Power drill with bits
- Wood glue
- Rag
- String
- Wood vise or lump of modeling clay
Instructions
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1
Choose a bit for your dowel. Ideally, the width of the drill bit will be no larger than one-third the width of the dowel itself or you'll be at greater risk for causing large cracks in the wood or making a hole that could cause the dowel to break.
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2
Examine the dowel for cracks or sections that are in danger of breaking away. If you find any, repair them with wood glue, spreading the glue between the cracks, especially near the point where you plan to drill the hole. Wipe excess glue away from the surface of the wood with a damp rag, leaving it only in the cracks. Let the glue dry completely before starting.
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3
Mark the dowel. Trace a circle around the dowel using a piece of string and a pencil, then mark two points on the circle for drilling; one for the drill's entry and one for the exit. Use the string as a measuring tool to make sure the points are the same distance from each other on either side; this will ensure a straight, centered cut.
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4
Secure the dowel for drilling. Either grip it in a wood vise or secure it to your work station using a soft compound, such as modeling clay and pressing the dowel into the compound. This will ensure that the dowel doesn't roll or slip while you drill it.
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5
Turn on the drill. Set it to a low speed setting, as a high speed may cause the drill to slip on the wood more easily.
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Drill the hole. Line up the spinning drill bit, holding the handle of the drill so that it's parallel to the dowel itself and the bit is at a 90-degree angle. Keep your eye on these angles as you drill to ensure they don't slip. Insert the drill bit into the pencil point you marked and press the drill slowly, but steadily, through the wood. Watch the drill bit as it enters the wood; it should line up with the pencil tracing of the circle when viewed from the side. Drill halfway through the wood, pull out the drill, then drill from the other side of the wood and the pencil marking you made there, connecting the two holes.
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