8mm dowel pins & other design considerations

[jeffinsgf]

I am in the planning stages for some built in cabinets and book cases for my den.  I've decided to use my VS-600 and the dowel template to join the base cabinets together, and possibly to join the book case uprights to the base cabinets.  However, it appears for this to work with my OF-1000 I will need to use metric dowel pins.  Has anyone found a good source in the USA for 8mm spiral grooved or splined dowel pins? 

I am also planning to use bamboo ply for the top of the base cabinets and possibly for the shelves.  Am I correct in my assumption that most of the bamboo ply on the market is pre-finished and does not need sanding or finishing? 

While I would very much like to tackle a true 32mm frameless cabinet design, the house has face frame cabinets with red oak raised panel doors throughout.  I am afraid that a frameless design will look out of place, even though the work would not be in the same sight line with any other cabinetry. I'm trying not the schway my fung too much.  [big grin]  What say you pros?

 

[richard.selwyn]

I'm probably missing something but can't you just use an imperial cutter on the Festool router?

I have the VS thingy - it's been gathering dust for several years.  I wish I could summon up the energy to try to sell it.

I'm in metric Europe, but I know that Lie Nielsen make a dowel making plate in metric - so you could presumably use it to cut down oversize imperial stock into metric - although of course it won't be fluted.  If no one else comes up with anything, I'd happilly post you a pack of 8mm dowels - they are very cheap.  Just have to hope that the US post office doesn't think that they are explosive.

Richard

 

[jeffinsgf]

Richard, you can use imperial dowels, if you can find 8mm shank imperial sized router drills for the OF-1000  [scared].  To be honest, here you can't find drills for routers like Festool uses at all, metric or imperial (except from Festool). 

I found some 8mm pins.  Cheap and available by post.  Shipping likely will be more than the pins.  [crying]

My VS-600 has likewise been sitting on the shelf for years.  This project seems like the perfect opportunity to get it out and get it going. Particularly now that I've read Jerry Work's wonderful supplemental manual.

 

[richard.selwyn]

Sorry  - I must be confusing my router models.  My Festool routers have interchangeable collets so luckily I can use both imperial and metric bits.  Good luck with the project - hope you will show us some photos.

Regards,
Richard

 

[jeffinsgf]

I have an 1/4" collet, but the straight plunge bits that look like a brad point drill are not readily available here.  It was easier to find the 8mm pins than it would be to find a 3/8" router plunge bit.

 

[Michael Kellough]

Jeff, get some 5/15" dowels too. On paper they're slightly undersized (7,938mm) but in practice
(given the variations in climate, species, drill bits, etc.) they're sometimes perfect.

 

[jeffinsgf]

Good to know.  Thanks, Mike.

 

[greg mann]

Jeff, I hope you caught that Michael meant 5/16, not 5/15.

I'm getting tired of cleaning up after you, Michael.  ;D

 

[jeffinsgf]

I did, indeed, Greg, thanks.

My momma raised me right.  She always told me to pay attention to what she meant, not what she said.  [cool]

 

[Michael Kellough]

Jeff, I hope you caught that Michael meant 5/16, not 5/15.

I'm getting tired of cleaning up after you, Michael.  ;D

5/15" is about right, if you make your own dowels from green wood  [embarassed]

 

[JeromeM]

I am in the planning stages for some built in cabinets and book cases for my den.  I've decided to use my VS-600 and the dowel template to join the base cabinets together, and possibly to join the book case uprights to the base cabinets.  However, it appears for this to work with my OF-1000 I will need to use metric dowel pins.  Has anyone found a good source in the USA for 8mm spiral grooved or splined dowel pins? 

I

You can get a 6mm (488760) or 1/4" collet (488761) for your router so you are not limited to 8mm bits

 

[jeffinsgf]

Jerome,

I have the 1/4 inch collet.  I have the 8mm collet.  I'm not limited by anything except the fact that the straight plunge bits are not widely available in the States in either metric or imperial, but Festool does offer them in metric. 

I've got this under control, guys.  I will order the 8mm bit from Bob or Tom or Tim and the 8mm pins from the outfit in California that I Googled up.  How about some help on the design considerations? 

 

[john ferri]

I can vouch for the California outfit--I purchased some 10 by 40s, 8 by 35s an 6 by 30s. Used some on a recent project with a VS500 (the old one). Two "tips" (1) don't be tempted by the pre-glued dowels, I find the regular ones a little easier to use and (2) setup is everything with dowels so a test run is always a good idea.

JF

 

[jeffinsgf]

John,

Thanks a lot for the ideas.  I plan on several test runs on the VS-600 before I start on my high dollar veneer plywood.  [tongue]