Best Dowel JIG Reviews and Buyer’s Guide

Woodworkers who make things often have a hard time figuring out how to hold pieces together while they work. Traditional methods of holding things in place are frustrating and can be unsafe. Clamps, vices, glue, tape, carpentry gloves, and even C-clamps all have their drawbacks. Until now, you had to buy a large, expensive router table or make your dowel jig with clamps and scraps of wood to create perfect joints. This requires loads of time, planning, and skill. Even if you are good at carpentry, it takes hours before you can even start building anything.

The Dowel Jig is a revolutionary new tool that makes building furniture, cabinets, and other projects easy.  All you have to do is set up the jig on your drill press table, then feed in the correct-sized bit for what kind of joint you want (dowels come in many sizes) into the top slot, where it will plunge through both pieces of wood when tightened down onto the work.

The best jigs will help you achieve the perfect joint every time, but it’s hard to know which one to choose with so many options available. This dowel drilling guide will look at five of the most popular models on Amazon today and highlight their pros and cons.

We have reviewed Amazon dowels for each of these products based on durability, usability, price point, and customer ratings and reviews.

Top 5 Best Dowel JIG

Milescraft 1309 Dowel Jig Kit

Dimensions: 8.38 x 2.38 x 10.25 inches
Weight: 1.8 pounds
 

Wolfcraft 3751405 Dowel Pro Jig Kit

Dimensions: 3 x 4.3 x 12.3 inches
Weight: 1.9 pounds
 

AUTOTOOLHOME Woodworking Dowel Jig

Dimensions: 9.13 x 3.07 x 2.13 inches
Weight: 6.6 ounces
 

Dowelmax Woodworking Dowel Jig 

Dimensions: 3.5 x 3.5 x 2.75 inches
Weight: 3.2 pounds
 

Jessem Model 08350 Dowelling Jig Master Kit

Dimensions: 11 x 13.9 x 4.15 inches
Weight: 1 pound
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1

Milescraft 1309 Dowel Jig Kit

Milescraft 1309 DowelJigKit – Complete Doweling Kit with Dowel Pins and Bits
milescraft 1309 dowel jig kit

Are you in search of doweling jig reviews? The Milescraft 1309 Dowel Jig Kit is designed to make the job of cutting and joining dowels quick and accurate. The jig has a clamping system that makes it easy to join pieces together at 90 degrees. There is no measuring required; just clamp the joint in place and drill. It also has a circular saw guide that makes it easy to cut perfect dowel joints for corners, legs, or any application where you need accurate square cuts.

The Milescraft doweling jig Jig Kit makes it easy to create solid joints for your cabinets, furniture, and other woodworking projects. This kit includes a steel dowel with metal bushings that are designed specifically for the Milescraft 1312 Dowel System. This center drill jig set also includes tenon centers that make it easy to drill holes in wood pieces.

Turn ordinary wood into extraordinary projects with the Milescraft dowel jig Kit. The kit is considered one of the most demanded options among the precision jigs that guide your drill for perfect alignment and holes every time. It also comes with three different-sized brad-point drill bits, so you can drill dowels of all sizes without switching out your drill bits. This is the best jig for any DIYer or crafter who wants to create beautifully.

Specifications

Dimensions8.38 x 2.38 x 10.25 inches
Weight1.8 pounds
Milescraft 1309 Dowel Jig Kit
8.1
Milescraft 1309 Dowel Jig Kit
Pros
  • Cutting dowels is a breeze.
  • Quick and accurate. You’ll be able to complete projects faster than ever before
  • Eliminate mistakes in your work that you’ve always hated to see
  • Discover the joy of creating something new.
  • Save time and money on expensive dowel jigs.
Cons
  • The dowel in the first board is not well finished
2

Wolfcraft 3751405 Dowel Pro Jig Kit

wolfcraft 3751405 Dowel Pro Doweling Jig Kit
wolfcraft 3751405 dowel pro jig kit

The Wolfcraft 3751405 Dowel Pro Doweling Jig Kit includes the tools needed to make precise, repeatable dowel joints. This versatile yet straightforward jig holds your workpiece firmly in place with a unique clamping mechanism that eliminates all slipping and wandering, resulting in perfectly aligned dowel joints quickly and easily without measuring or marking.

The jig features a precision-machined aluminium base for quick and easy assembly, making it the best dowel jig. The Dowel Pro features a unique, patented edge guide that allows you to create professional dowel joints easily. This angle dowel jig accurately guides the drill bit at the correct angle for perfect alignment every time.

The Wolfcraft 3751405 Dowel Pro Doweling Jig Kit is ideal for creating all types of dowels, including thick dowels. edge-to-edge, edge-to-corner, and edge-to-surface joints. The Wolfcraft Dowel Pro is simple and easy to use, yet it delivers perfect alignment for doweling jobs of all sizes. This kit includes hardened steel bushings in 1/4-inch, 5/16-inch, and 3/8-inch sizes that will not wear out like standard drill bits, so you may not get bothered about what size dowels to use.

Specifications

Dimensions3 x 4.3 x 12.3 inches
Weight1.9 pounds
Wolfcraft 3751405 Dowel Pro Jig Kit
6.8
Wolfcraft 3751405 Dowel Pro Jig Kit
Pros
  • An innovative clamp system that makes it easier than ever to create custom dowel joints.
  • Get a fast, accurate, and professional finish every time.
  • It can be mounted to a workbench or any flat surface for safe use, branding it as the best doweling jig.
  • Perfect alignment for woodworking dowel jobs of all sizes.
Cons
  • This is not a perfectly specific dowel jig set.
3

AUTOTOOLHOME Woodworking Dowel Jig 

Woodworking Dowel Jig 1/4″ 5/16″ 3/8″ Drill Bits Metal Sleeve Drill Guide Wood Joints Drilling Doweling Jig Tool Handheld Jigs
autotoolhome woodworking dowel jig

The AUTOTOOLHOME Woodworking Dowel Jig is a simple, easy-to-use jig and the best dowel jig kit. You can use it for both softwood and hardwood doweling. The Jig allows you to make perfectly even holes in your projects, which makes it ideal for building cabinets, furniture, or anything else that requires the use of dowels. This jig is adjustable so that you can make holes of varying depths.

When considering what the best dowel jig is, you may take this jig into account because it has an extended fence that makes clamping the project into place more accessible than ever before. The fence allows for front-to-back or side-to-side drilling. The dust port on the unit keeps your work area clean by routing the sawdust away from you. Assembly is quick and easy, with no tools needed other than a standard Phillips screwdriver.

The Wolf Craft dowel jig includes an adjustable fence for accurate hole placement, front to back or side to side, a dust port for a cleaner work environment, and a depth stop for exact hole placement. Depth stops are used to limit the depth of the drill bit to the desired position.

Specifications

Dimensions9.13 x 3.07 x 2.13 inches
Weight6.6 ounces
AUTOTOOLHOME Woodworking Dowel Jig
7.5
AUTOTOOLHOME Woodworking Dowel Jig 
Pros
  • This edge jointing jig is an easy and quick way to make joints using dowels.
  • Use it to make everything from picture frames to kitchen cabinets
  • It works with any size of wood, so you can use it for small or large projects.
  • The fence allows for front-to-back or side-to-side drilling.
Cons
  • Perfect only for softwoods
4

Dowelmax Woodworking Dowel Jig 

Dowelmax Classic 3/8 Precision Engineered Joining System
dowelmax woodworking dowel jig 

The Dowelmax is a woodworking jig that allows you to make perfect dowels every time. Just place the jig over your workpiece and drill straight down into the pre-drilled holes. The stop collar limits how deep you can go, so no more drilling too far and having to start over again.

The Dowelmax classic doweling jig has a CNC-machined aluminum index pin and distance gauge for long workpieces. The Dowelmax creates strong, accurate joints of virtually any configuration, from 3/4″x 3/4 dowels” to 4″x4″ to any length. It is the perfect jig for drilling dowel holes to build a wide range of projects with a minimum amount of waste.

When using the Dowelmax classic, you don’t have to worry about measuring your workpiece or cutting the dowels at an exact angle. Place the workpiece on the base, clamp it down using one of the built-in workpiece stops, and drill.

The premium doweling jig Dowelmax  was designed to make it easy for anyone to create strong, attractive, and consistent joints. With Dowelmax, you can easily create long-lasting furniture and various types of dowel for your DIY projects.

Specifications

Dimensions3.5 x 3.5 x 2.75 inches
Weight3.2 pounds
Dowelmax Woodworking Dowel Jig 
8.5
Dowelmax Woodworking Dowel Jig 
Pros
  • No measuring, no thinking; just drill straight down and get perfect dowels every time
  • No more wasting time on failed projects
  • The Dowelmax saves time, money, and frustration.
  • It’s easy to use for anyone with basic woodworking skills.
Cons
  • It allows only limited use of dims
5

Jessem Model 08350 Dowelling Jig Master Kit

JessEm Model 08350 Dowelling Jig Master Kit, Black (08350-)
jessem model 08350 dowelling jig master kit

Start building your dream furniture today with the Jessem Jig Master Kit, designed to make a variety of dowel joints for a variety of woodworking projects. It features an adjustable fence that allows you to create various joints with different sizes and spacing. Don’t waste your time learning how to make dowels; this kit includes all the tools you need to make perfect dowel joints every time.

The Jessem doweling jig comes with a drill stop collar to prevent overdrilling, and the jig itself allows you to drill ream accurately and chamfer holes in workpieces. The built-in alignment slots in Jessem 08350 will enable you to easily align the components at 90 degrees to create holes of 1/4 inch dowel, 3/8 inch dowel, and 1/2 inch dowel without splintering or tearing the material being drilled.

The Jessem dowel jig master kit includes a base, two removable fences, and a depth stop that you can set to locate dowel holes in 1/8-inch increments. This allows you to pre-set the location of multiple dowel hole configurations on your project before drilling, saving time and effort.

Specifications

Dimensions11 x 13.9 x 4.15 inches
Weight1 pound
Jessem Model 08350 Dowelling Jig Master Kit
9.1
Jessem Model 08350 Dowelling Jig Master Kit
Pros
  • Easy to use and lightweight for on-the-go projects.
  • Create unique, one-of-a-kind pieces for your home or office.
  • A drill stop collar prevents over-drilling.
  • The jig allows accurate drilling, reaming, and chamfering of holes.
Cons
  • It doesn’t come with a storage box
  • It allows you to drill only in plain style

What To Consider While Buying the Best Dowel Jig?

One of the essential high-end woodworking tools is a dowel jig. You may also need a dowel board and dowel markers. The dowel jig helps you drill holes to make accurate and sturdy joints using dowels. There are many kinds of dowel jigs available on the market, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. However, there are some factors to consider when buying a dowel jig.

Material 

The first thing you have to consider is the material. In this case, your jig must require high-quality material for durability and better performance. Additionally, you need to know how much weight a wooden dowel can support.

Construction

When considering the construction of a dowel jig, you should carefully look into the dowel size guide, types of dowels, dowel bushings, the design, structure, and common dowel sizes. Make sure that it comes with basic features like dust collection ports and adjustable clamps, which make work easier by keeping everything appropriately aligned while you drill your holes accurately every time. Also, read instructions carefully before using a new tool, as each one needs a different way for proper use, especially when dealing with delicate items such as dowels.

Ease of Use

You can also take into consideration how easy it is to use. For example, you can consider using an adjustable jig instead of a fixed one because it helps to adjust the required size.

Also, make sure that your jig comes with a built-in measuring tape or use a separate measuring tape to get accurate measurements every time and avoid mistakes.

Affordability

The best dowel jig for the money is a tool that requires suitable-quality materials that will help you drill perfect holes. Generally, a well-made jig that offers superior design and construction will be expensive on the market. However, there are many brands available at reasonable prices that provide many great features for woodworkers. Therefore, when you are pondering where to buy dowels, ensure it doesn’t break your bank while offering all the required features for better performance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use dowels to build furniture?

Yes, of course! Dowel rods are used in fabricating all kinds of furniture. For instance, you can use them for connecting different pieces of wood like the legs and table tops, drawer slides, etc.

Are dowel joints strong?

Yes, dowels can hold together furniture pieces and joints exceptionally well. They are considered the best when joining the long edges of a single piece of wood because they leave no visible gap or glue seams.

How do I cut dowel rods?

To get clean cuts on your dowels, you should try using a sharp saw blade designed to cut perpendicularly across the grain to prevent rough edges and splintering. Also, make sure that your saw is powerful before starting the cutting process to avoid any re-sawing problems resulting in breakage or cracks.

How do I drill straight and accurate holes?

To ensure accuracy, you should use a drill press instead of a handheld tool, as it helps with drilling very accurately, especially when using small drill bits and dowels. Also, make sure that the threading on your rod is well lubricated to avoid any problems such as binding up between the rod and chuck jaws, which can lead to cracking or breakages during the process.

CONCLUSION

Finally, choose the right kind of dowel jig kit that offers everything required at a reasonable price. Follow all instructions carefully while using your new tool to ensure that you will be able to drill straight and accurate holes every time with ease.

We hope our review of the top five best dowel jigs will help you choose the right tool for your workshop.

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