Custom Dowel Jig – Repeatable Precision Joinery

Article 65: Custom Dowel Jig – Repeatable Precision Joinery

By: A Woodworker Who Prefers Jigs to Guesswork

Dowels are an excellent way to align and strengthen joints. A simple, accurate dowel jig ensures you get consistent results every time.

Materials

• 3/4" hardwood (maple or birch) – 2 pcs at 6" × 3"

• Drill bushings (1/4", 3/8", or 1/2") – 2–3 of your most-used sizes

• Machine screws and T-nuts

• CA glue or epoxy (for bushings)

Tools Needed

• Drill press

• Forstner bits

• Clamps

• Wrenches or Allen keys (for bushing install)

Steps

1. Make Body

   • Cut two identical faces. Drill center holes for bushings perfectly perpendicular using the drill press.

2. Add Bushings

   • Press-fit or glue metal drill bushings into the holes.

3. Install Adjustable Fence (Optional)

   • Add a sliding stop block with scale or ruler for consistent offsets from board edges.

4. Use

   • Clamp jig to workpiece, drill through bushing, flip or repeat on mating piece.

Sketch – Jig Top View

 ___________________________
|    O     O     O          | ← Bushing holes (multiple sizes)
|___________________________|
| Clamp edge here →        |