For the quilt stand project I purchased a 100 count bag of 3/8" X 2" dowel pins. They are the ones with a spiral groove. The problem I'm having is the lack of consistency in the diameter of the pins. Some fit loose in the holes and some are tight. I've tried different pins in the same hole and there is defiantly a difference in the pins so I know it's not the holes I drilled. My question is will the loose fitting pins swell when I glue them in? If so about how much? I usually make my own dowels but to save time I decided to try the pre cut ones.  

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www.thepatriotwoodworker.com Proud Supporter of Homes For Our Troops

Dowels will swell a bit with the glue, but I can't say how much as each species will be a bit different. 

A little trick to get the dowels a bit tighter would be to pre-glue the hole by putting in a bit of glue in the hole and then using a q-tip or brush to wipe it on the inside of the hole and letting it dry to make the hole a bit smaller which will snug up the thinner dowels. 

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Allen Worsham
Corona, CA

allenworsham@earthlink.net

'Graze in every man's field, but always give your own milk' J. Vernon McGee

Maybe wrap the loose ones with a layer of brown paper bag.

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Lew Kauffman-
Wood Turners Forum Host

Time traveler. Purveyor of the world's finest custom rolling pins!

Thanks for your great Ideas Allen & Lewis. Before you guys I responded I used a steamer basket on the stove and was able to get the few I needed to swell enough to fill the hole. After steaming I allowed them to dry for an hour and was able to assemble the project I was gluing up.  

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www.thepatriotwoodworker.com Proud Supporter of Homes For Our Troops

Allen, wouldn't this create a sliightly weaker bond as you would be gluing glue to glue instead of to the wood of the hole? I would epoxy the loose dowels into place as the epoxy does a good job of filling gaps.

 

Mike if the dowels were just a slip fit and not a wobbly fit glue would be enogh. if the tight dowels need to be pounded in these would be to tight and not allow good glue coverage.
 
Allen Worsham said:

Dowels will swell a bit with the glue, but I can't say how much as each species will be a bit different. 

A little trick to get the dowels a bit tighter would be to pre-glue the hole by putting in a bit of glue in the hole and then using a q-tip or brush to wipe it on the inside of the hole and letting it dry to make the hole a bit smaller which will snug up the thinner dowels. 

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Allen Worsham
Corona, CA

allenworsham@earthlink.net

'Graze in every man's field, but always give your own milk' J. Vernon McGee

a little smaller is ok as the glue will make them expand.  Just make sure you clamp it well till it dries.

By the way, glue is stronger than wood so don't worry bout it being weak.

too tight isn't good as it can split the hole as the dowel soaks up the glue.also remember the hole will get smaller as the hole absorbs the glue too.

Bake them to get the moisture out