Make hardwood plugs and dowels on the cheap

[Mike Cornwall]

A downside of being mostly self taught (and barely taught at all, honestly) is I never know if some big discovery is already common knowledge. I asked my friends and they hadn’t seen this trick, so I’m going to post it here in case it helps anyone. 

Plugging holes in hardwood  is a thing that happens, a lot of toothpicks, matches,  and golf tees are holding strap buttons in worldwide. There’s some dowels you can get at the store, and there’s plug cutters that are nice to have, but for oddball stuff or when you have to improvise, this is a nice thing to have in a drawer. 

[Mike Cornwall]

In the attached jpeg are 5/16”, 3/16”, and 3/32” maple dowels (I think??)

[Mark McLean]

I had not seen this type of tool before.  Now I definitely need one!  Thanks for the tip.  

[Mike Cornwall]

Some holes in a steel plate and you’re off! I tried countersinking the backs of some but I think it’s better to just leave them square and go in lots of increments.

[Mike Kolb]

MicroMark has offered a small one for years, calling it a "jewelers draw plate".  The downside is that will only make dowels from approx 3/32" down to .020", but it's just the ticket if someone needs a dowel that small.

Often tempted to buy one but never did, so unable to review.

https://www.micromark.com/Jewelers-Draw-Plate

[Mike Cornwall]

Cool!

[Mark McLean]

OK. Now you have introduced me to a whole new thing.    I have found out that Lie Nielsen sell a ready made dowel plate.  

https://www.lie-nielsen.com/product/dowel-plate-standard

But these youtube videos are pretty cool showing how to make your own.

https://www.wonkeedonkeetools.co.uk/dowels/how-do-you-make-your-own...

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=BGVmEOAMiPk

Mike- is this how you made yours?

[Mike Cornwall]

I saw it in this movie, if you haven’t seen it you’re in for a treat.

http://www.folkstreams.net/film-detail.php?id=187

[Mark McLean]

That movie is priceless.  Enjoyed the whole thing.  Thanks so much.  There is a lot that we are missing in this new modernity.  

[Ed Minch]

Makes great dowels, but since plugs are cross-grained, you'd be lucky to get a usable one out of it.  That's what they make plug cutters for:

https://www.amazon.com/QST-CAIDU-Cutting-Straight-Tapered-Woodworki...

[Mike Cornwall]

I’m pretty sure everyone here knows what plug cutters are for.