How to Draw a Straight Line on a Dowel
George VondriskaDescription
You may not need this problem-solver every day, but when you do need it, you’ll be glad you know this trick. How do you get a perfectly straight line from one end of a dowel to the other? The answer actually lies with your table saw. To do this, we’ll take advantage of the miter gauge slot in your saw. Once you see the trick, you’ll be amazed by just how simple it is.
Why do this?
While there are a variety of reasons you might need to get a straight line drawing on a dowel, one of the primary uses I have for this technique is splitting a dowel in two halves. This can be done on a bandsaw, but only if you have a good line to follow. Using WWGOA’s approach to making the line guarantees that it will be dead straight.
Why we love tips
As woodworkers we’ve found many occasions in the shop where we run into some kind of problem. Many of us have stood in our shops scratching our heads, wondering how to work around the issue. In all likelihood, someone has cracked this nut before. But it can be difficult finding that info. So, WoodWorkers Guild of America works hard to get our tips “under one roof.” If you like our approach on getting a line on a dowel, you’re going to love looking at more helpful shop tips. Take a cruise through what we have. There’s certain to be something you can use on your next project. We’ll continue to try and reduce the amount of head-scratching you have to do.
A thing I'm pretty good at is using my finger and a pencil as a guide and drawing a line. I do that on square stock all the time, but on a dowel like this, it's kind of impossible, even though I do this all the time, 'cause there's no good edge to ride against and it's pretty easy for things to get spun around here. So a much easier way to do this. If you need a straight line, end to end, on a dowel, take advantage of your table saw, more specifically take advantage of the miter gauge slots in your table saw. Do that, then do this, and that'll give you that perfectly straight line that you need from end to end. Simple process, simple procedure. Solves a problem.
So simple who would have thought 😁😁
I do something similar with the door stop on a door frame.
Very very clever, I will use that trick often thanks
Why would I need a straight line on my dowels? Just would like to know if this ever becomes a need.
You are a GREAT teacher George