Dowel Plates
If you want to make exactly-sized dowels from any wood you choose, a Dowel Plate is the right tool. It's also handy to get a precise tenon on chair spindles. Ours is 1/4" (6.35mm)x
5 1/8" (13.01cm)x 1-1/2" (3.81cm) surface ground A2 tool steel. Holes machined with 6-degree clearance taper on underside, holes are straight for the first .025" (0.635mm); so this tool can be sharpened many times without increasing the size - but at 60 Rockwell it probably won't ever need sharpening. Makes 1/8" (3.17mm), 3/16" (4.7mm), 1/4" (6.35mm), 5/16" (7.93mm), 3/8" (9.52mm), 1/2" (1.27cm), 5/8" (1.58cm) dowels. Our Metric Dowel Plate makes 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 16mm dowels. You can start with a round piece or something whittled or shaved somewhat close; chamfer the leading end. Two mounting holes for a No.10 screw.

For a review of this Dowel Plate by David Charlesworth in Furniture and Cabinetmaking (used with permission), download this PDF. You'll need a copy of Adobe Acrobat™ Reader. (If you don't already have Adobe Acrobat™ Reader, you can download it here.)

Download the article here.

USE & CARE INSTRUCTIONS

Mounting the Plate

Mount the dowel plane with wood screws over a series of relief holes in a bench, or clamp it over a dog hole for temporary use.

Use: A dowel plate is very handy for accurately sizing dowels from any type of wood you choose. It can also be used to create a tenon on the end of a piece such as a chair spindle.

Short pieces are easier to handle, but any length is fine. When making your own dowel, get as close as you can to the correct size with a plane, spokeshave or drawknife. The blank does not have to be very smooth, though small facets will disappear quickly. A bit of experimenting will tell you how close to make your blank, depending on the type of wood, length of dowel and how smooth a finish you desire. Chamfer the leading end of the blank to make it easy to start the cut. Hammer the blank through the hole. You can also use it to size purchased dowels.

Materials: The Dowel Plate is 5/16" A-2 tool steel hardened to Rockwell 60-62, cryogenically treated and double tempered.

Maintenance: If the dowel plate ever needs it, hone the top cutting surface with water stones to sharpen. Keep oiled to prevent rusting.