wolfcraft Dowelmaster – dowel gauge for wood joints I 4640000 I Drill gauge for perfect corner, T-butt and edge-to-edge joints in boards/wood

Several reviewers have commented that it is difficult to hold this jig steady especially when doing the first drilling into the end of your wood or panel. Several complaints about the jig moving slightly and the dowels not being quite vertical. The trouble is we might have been watching the wrong You Tube video, the English version where you clamp the wood vertically and try to drill down for into the wood while trying to hold the jig firm and steady at the same time which is very difficult. By accident I came across a Spanish video where the wood is clamped horizontally or at a slight upward slope towards the user and then you drill from the front. Assuming most of us are using the 8 mm dowels you can now use your weight pushing down on the handle of the jig and at the same time pushing forward with your thumb to keep the jig pressed squarely and firmly against the edge the the edge of the wood. You are also drilling forward which is slightly more comfortable than drilling down. Try this method and see what you think - I am sure like me you will find it to be a better and easier way. EDIT : having used this jig quite extensively on 18 mm melamine faced boards to make kitchen units here are my further comments. The first picture shows my inclined workmate raised about 2 inches at the front. This was easier than making an inclined ramp on my fixed workbench. It is weighted down by a heavy tool box which is also pushed hard up against a scrap piece of MDF to make the workmate really firm and solid. The MDF is just hung on the the workmate frame with a couple of cup hooks and is easily removable. The second picture shows me using the dowelmaster. You will see that I am not only bearing down on the handle to make sure the dowel enters the centre of the panel but also pushing with my thumb to make sure the jig remains square on to the board. The drill is a very old 300 watt Black & Decker which is not too heavy and does the job fine. You will notice it will be easier to remove build of wood chips when you are drilling your 28 mm hole as the exit path for the chippings is now almost horizontal rather than being vertical. The blue pads off cuts of these silicone type non slip mats. Even with strong clamps I found that because the melamine surface is so slippy there was a tendency for the board to move when pushing hard on the drill. The last picture is a few tips which you might find useful. I had to think of some easy way to provide depth stops to drill 28 mm into edges but only 14 mm into faces of boards. In my odds and end boxes I came across these black nylon spacers which were unused bits from fixing a wall mounted TV bracket and they have a 8 mm hole. The larger ones are 15 mm high and the smaller ones are 5 mm high. Using steel washers as well I can make up any length drill stop. The red one I use for drilling 28 mm edge holes and I just add the blue one to it as well to reduce the drilling depth to 14 mm for face drilling. The adavantage of these spacers are that they are very cheap and the nylon will not cause any wear on your jig. The other thing I noticed is that when the spacer stops spinning you have drilled down to the correct depth! You might be wondering why there is a piece of green and yellow earthing tape stuck on the top corner of the jig. Well I noticed that this angle was almost exactly over where the dowel hole is made in the edge. So if you want to be more precise where you put your dowel holes then just line up the middle green line over where you want your dowel! I was not impressed with the video recommending that you move the board 40 mm, using a ruler, when making T joints. I could see looking down the holes that I was a little bit out. I decided to use instead to use the raised edge on the side of the dowel master. The trouble is that it is grey plastic on grey plastic so not easy to line up. Just rub the edge with white chalk and blow off the excess and now makes lining up really easy. Last thing. I strongly recommend the 50 mm long confirmat screws in between your dowels if you can't glue your joints, which you can't easily do with melamine boards.

The Wolfcraft Dowelmaster (I 4640000) is a reliable and versatile dowel gauge designed to simplify the process of creating precise wood joints. Ideal for both amateur and professional woodworkers, this tool excels in making perfect corner, T-butt, and edge-to-edge joints in boards and wood.#### Design and Build QualityThe Dowelmaster is robustly constructed from high-quality materials, ensuring durability and longevity. Its ergonomic design makes it easy to handle, while the clear markings and adjustable settings allow for precise measurements and alignment. The compact size of the tool also makes it easy to store and transport.#### PerformanceIn terms of performance, the Dowelmaster delivers exceptional results. The drill gauge is accurate, allowing for the creation of perfect dowel holes without the need for extensive measuring or marking. The tool’s ability to maintain consistent alignment ensures that joints are tight and secure. The adjustable stop and guides are particularly useful, providing flexibility to accommodate different board thicknesses and joint types.#### Ease of UseOne of the standout features of the Dowelmaster is its user-friendliness. Even beginners will find it straightforward to use, thanks to the clear instructions and intuitive design. Setting up the tool for different types of joints is quick and hassle-free, making the process of drilling dowel holes both efficient and enjoyable.#### VersatilityThe Dowelmaster's versatility is another major advantage. Whether you are working on a simple edge-to-edge joint or a more complex corner or T-butt joint, this tool adapts to various project requirements. This flexibility makes it a valuable addition to any woodworking toolkit.#### Value for MoneyGiven its high performance, ease of use, and durability, the Wolfcraft Dowelmaster offers excellent value for money. It’s a cost-effective solution for anyone looking to improve the precision and quality of their wood joints without investing in expensive machinery.### ConclusionThe Wolfcraft Dowelmaster is an outstanding tool for creating precise wood joints. Its combination of durability, accuracy, and ease of use makes it an essential piece of equipment for woodworking enthusiasts of all levels. Whether you’re a hobbyist or a seasoned professional, the Dowelmaster will undoubtedly enhance the quality and efficiency of your projects. Highly recommended.

As many reviewers have commented this is a cleverly designed tool. I used it for the first time today and quickly made three successful joints. It does have one or two limitations which are not entirely clear from the instructions / YouTube video. First, the (clever) method for ensuring you drill in the dead centre of the edge of the wood prevents you from drilling holes close to the end. That's probably not a big deal most of the time. A more serious issue is not being able to clamp the tool in position. This means that you are trying to hold the tool square and steady with one hand while drilling with the other. I found that quite tricky, though it probably gets easier with practice. And admittedly the results were pretty good. The third and (in my view) biggest limitation is not being able to work with wood of more than 30mm thickness. I am planning a project which will involve joining 45mm pieces. Actually I think I probably can use it, with a little ingenuity, though it won't be possible to drill the holes in the centre. I think the technique for lining up the holes on the two pieces of wood should still work. Overall I think it's a good buy and probably less bother than other dowelling systems. Fine for most purposes, though if you are making cabinets for Buckingham Palace you might want a kit that you can clamp.

Works exactly as it should and is of good quality.