what size hole to drill for dowels....but in metric!
- Thread starter peps1
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RogerP
Established Member
Just divide the Imperial dowel size by .03937
1/4" dowel = 0.25" / .03937 = 6.35mm
1/2" dowel = 0.5" / .03937 = 12.7mm
You can do the rest yourself
1/4" dowel = 0.25" / .03937 = 6.35mm
1/2" dowel = 0.5" / .03937 = 12.7mm
You can do the rest yourself
bugbear
Established Member
peps1":38ehtq90 said:
Where are you managing to buy imperial dowel ?!
In any case, given the narrow range of dowel sizes, imperial or metric, just buy the "obvious" bit, e.g. 1/4" or 6mm to match the dowel.
BugBear
When dowelling there are many factors which affect how snugly a dowel will fit:
- the actual (not nominal) size of the bit
- the grain direction of the hole
- the type of wood
- the diameter of commercially made dowel
- the moisture content of the woods and any consequent swelling when a water based glue is used
so not only do you need to buy a matching size, but you need to do some test joints using your intended set-up.
That's the only way to find the difference between too tight, too loose and just right.
And just to complete the conversion chart, 3/8" is quite close to 9mm.
- the actual (not nominal) size of the bit
- the grain direction of the hole
- the type of wood
- the diameter of commercially made dowel
- the moisture content of the woods and any consequent swelling when a water based glue is used
so not only do you need to buy a matching size, but you need to do some test joints using your intended set-up.
That's the only way to find the difference between too tight, too loose and just right.
And just to complete the conversion chart, 3/8" is quite close to 9mm.
Paul Chapman
Established Member
When fitting the dowels, make sure there is room for excess glue to escape. You can do this by using fluted dowels or by cutting a slot lengthwise in the dowel (something like a junior hacksaw is good for this).
Cheers :wink:
Paul
Cheers :wink:
Paul
RogerP":2utjf1fq said:
Thank Roger, but this tells me the only half the problem.....the peg size, but not what size hole I should drill?
Well I googled before asking the question here, and all the information I could find was on US sites.....ergo imperial measurements.bugbear":2utjf1fq said:
If you go to B&Q you will find a selection of handy dowel kits. Each contains a matched set of dowels; glue; a drill and four dowel points to locate the holes on the other workpiece. They come in 6, 8 and 10mm sizes. One of those should get you started.
tomatwark
Established Member
Plug It sell dowel that is imperial.
But if you are meaning dowels for gluing up I think most people in this country sell metric now.
If you find that you end up using imperial dowel Axminster sell imperial bits.
Tom
But if you are meaning dowels for gluing up I think most people in this country sell metric now.
If you find that you end up using imperial dowel Axminster sell imperial bits.
Tom
bugbear
Established Member
AndyT":1aaxq2ch said:
That sounds like a splendid way forward.
BugBear
Phil Pascoe
Established Member
With any "kits" it usually pays to throw the glue away and use something of which you know the provenance - they often contain glue that's the cheapest of the cheap. That goes for flat pack furniture as well.
...and go buy a good dowel jig, a proper one like one of them Records....
+1 for real wood glue too..
+1 for real wood glue too..
