SHOP-MADE DOWEL PLATE

To make your own dowel plate, drill a series of holes in 1⁄32" increments through a piece of 1⁄8"-thick steel. Start by driving the dowel blank through the hole that’s closest in diameter to your stock. (Place the dowel plate over a doghole or the open jaws of your bench vise to provide clearance.)

After the first pass, pound the dowel stock though the next smaller size hole. Keep moving through progressively smaller holes until you reach the desired diameter for your pins.

To make your own dowels, simply drive the dowel stock through progressively smaller holes until you reach your intended diameter.

You can make your own dowel plate out of a piece of 1⁄8”-thick steel bar stock.