@BB1 , I saw your interest on Zacks desk topic about making dowels, here is a similar method, this how I do them. Zack's method is completely good and very similar, I'm just throwing another alternative out there, the beauty of making your own jigs is you are not restricted by what the retailer has as you know.

I was looking for some images of my own efforts and could not find them, I know I have posted here about my dowel making within topics, but can't find em, anyway, here's a good video on it.

Also @MrRick has a home made fancy type as well. Again, a lot of ways to skin this cat!

Thanks for the honorable mention John! 🙂

1 minute ago, MrRick said:

Thanks for the honorable mention John! 🙂

Yes sir!

reminds me of a scene from MASH, the boys want to get a wooden bust of Col. Potter made by a local craftsman, so they ask to see some of his prior work. he shows up in their tent, and shows them a lovely 2x4.....obviously confused and unimpressed, they don't understand the craftsmanship in the 2x4, until the local notes "it used to be round...."

bust gets made, very nice, but the eyes have an oriental slant to them, not quite how Col. Potter looks.....

used to be round...used to be square....

On 7/21/2026 at 11:35 AM, DAB said:

reminds me of a scene from MASH, the boys want to get a wooden bust of Col. Potter made by a local craftsman, so they ask to see some of his prior work. he shows up in their tent, and shows them a lovely 2x4.....obviously confused and unimpressed, they don't understand the craftsmanship in the 2x4, until the local notes "it used to be round...."

bust gets made, very nice, but the eyes have an oriental slant to them, not quite how Col. Potter looks.....

used to be round...used to be square....

I remember that episode well 😆

I had been thinking of making some tools like Rick's, I like that design. I've gotten distracted with our summer maintenance shutdown at work and all the stuff I need to do before I move, so I was glad to see this thread as a reminder.

My current dowel plate is a piece of un-hardened O1 left over from a blade I made years ago, drilled holes as I needed them and relieved the back side with a multifluted countersink. Put the square wood in a drill, mashing the end with the chuck and run it through bigger holes to knock off the corners, then continue down to the size needed. It's not a great way of doing the job, but it does get done fast. Clearly I need to come up with something better!

When I need proper dowels I still have to buy them! 😁