Anyone use Miller Dowels?

[Mac]

Hi all,

Just wondered if any of you use the miller dowel system and if so how do you find it? Looks like a nice simple way to get attractive looking results for a newbie like me.

Thanks,
Rick

 

[Frank Pellow]

Yes Rick, I use them.  I have all three supported sizes and several different woods.  I usually try to feature them so use contrasting colours, but occasionally I attempt to make them not very noticeable.  They are quite easy to use.

I am attaching photos of a couple of recent projects where I used the Miller Dowel System.

Chinese Checker Board: [attachimg=#1]

Outdoor Morris-inspired Chair: [attachimg=#2]

 

[Mac]

As always, thanks for your response Frank. Your pictures are so useful.

I think I'll give them a go, I like the idea of having the contrasting feature.  One more question though; once they're hammered into place and glued, do you clamp them while the glue sets or is this not necessary in your experience?

Thanks,
Rick

 

[Frank Pellow]

Rick, in the two applications you see above, the butt joints into which I was inserting the dowels had already been glued clamped and dried before I inserted the Miller Dowels.  When I think back upon my other uses of the Miller Dowels, this has almost always been the case

 

[Mac]

I see. Thanks, Frank.
[thanks]

 

[JJ Wavra]

I like miller dowels a lot.  I was having trouble with a door sagging, due to the hinge, and found that the hole in the studd was stripped out how that happens I am not sure. I drilled through the jam and into the stud with the large dowel size and glued it into place and re hung the door worked great.  It is one of those things that once you have them you find more and more uses for them.

JJ