Joinery 101: How to Attach Boards with Dowels

In the last Joinery 101 post, we took a look at joining boards using clamps and glue.

Dowels are a simple way to make glued joints even stronger by using small pegs to keep things together.

I would alsohighlyrecommend a dowel jig and/ordowel centers.

(Note: That was a cheap dowel jig I picked up at a big-box store.

Drill Holes for Your Dowels

If you’re using a dowel jig this is easy enough.

You drill the holes on one board, then put a dowel center in the hole.

Then, apply a bead of glue along the entire length of the joint on the second board.

Knock everything together, and then clamp it up overnight to let the glue set.