Although it has limited capability, it is very straightforward to use and requires nothing but a clamp to set up. It’s also one of the most affordable dowel jigs available, and it provides good quality and versatility for smaller projects for the price. Many doweling joints have features that are designed to make the tool as simple as possible to use. Self-centering and self-clamping jigs can take the guesswork out of tool setup and precision, but consider whether they’re the right choice in every situation. In some cases, a simple handheld dowel jig may be all you need. What Are Your Bushing Needs?

Good quality drill bits can be expensive, so take care of them, keep them in a case or box if possible, rather than allowing them to roll around loose in a toolbox where the cutting edges may be damaged. Thincol makes a handful of tool add-ons and jigs aimed at making woodworking jobs more precise, and this dowel jig kit does just that. You can use this to drill holes for ¼”, 5/16”, and ⅜” dowels , and the jig includes three bit guides for each size. This setup lets you drill three perfectly aligned holes in both sides of your joint without having to adjust the clamp , making your job easier, less time-consuming, and more precise.

The best drill bits for plastic are spur (also known as dowel or Brad point) bits. These bits essentially have a four-point tip, which results in a much neater entry point and a cleaner hole. It doesn’t have any preset spacing, so you will need to unclamp and reattach your jig each time you want to drill a new hole . This process can be somewhat tedious if you’re drilling many different holes for a project. It also means you’ll need to measure before drilling if you want to be accurate in your spacing. It includes comprehensive instructions for use on a variety of different projects and in various applications.

Best Drill Bits For Plastic A spur or Brad point drill bit, ideal for drilling plastic. Photo by Emrys2 licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0. Normally, you would aim to have half of the dowel peg inserted into each piece in the wooden joint, with 1mm either side to allow space for glue. Dowel jigs range from very straightforward to very complicated to use. Manual jigs typically require no setup, no adjustment, and no instructions. Merely looking at the tool is sometimes enough for woodworkers to understand how to use it. The kit includes the main jig, collars to adjust your bit guides, an adjustable slider for custom positioning, alignment pins, three drill bits, and bit bushings for drilling a specific depth. It weighs 3.86 pounds in total, but the weight is split between the two clamping pieces. Each is easy to handle and set on your workpiece without too much effort.Metal and masonry drill bits are designed to bite into the material, meaning they can be quite rough on plastics. If you are using fluted dowel pegs (pegs with small channels cut into the sides), you should choose a bit that is the same size as the peg. For basic requirements, a set of high-speed steel twist drills and some masonry bits will probably be sufficient for the average handyman. Drill holes must be perpendicular to the surface or edge of the workpiece in most cases. The best way to guarantee that your hole will be perpendicular is to use a drill press. Also known as a wood or dowel bit, they have a central point and two raised spurs that help keep the bit drilling straight. The bit cuts timber very fast when used in a power drill and leaves a clean sided hole. They are ideal for drilling holes for dowels as the sides of the holes are clean and parallel. Sizes range from 3 to 10mm. Spur point bits should only be used for drilling wood or some plastics.

Also Available at: Walmart 10. Best Wide Capacity Dowel Jig—Eagle America 445-7600 Professional Wide Capacity Self-Centering Dowel JigSharpening: difficult, but can be done with a fine triangular file. Countersink with clearance drill Use a pair of bolt cutters to take the nail’s heads off, and you’ll be left with fairly sharp points in their place. In most cases, all you’ll need to do here is mark the dowel location carefully on the wood, including center lines, and then make sure the jig is lined up properly with the center lines. Then, just start drilling.