Not many people seem to use dowels anymore (other than manufacturers who have automated equipment that relies on dowels).
I still do.
I use the fluted dowels and in most instances, I simply apply glue and tap them in place.
However, when I am dowelling mitered joints a tight fit on the dowels makes assembly difficult. In that instance I place the fluted dowel on a hard, flat work surface and then take a 12" fine tooth flat metal working file and roll it over dowel and the work surface to flatten down the flutes.
This does not remove any material. It flattens. But it does allow the dowels a good deal of looseness that makes assembly easier.
This does not affect the holding power of the dowels. The dowels will return to their earlier shape with the exposure to the water in the glue. You can test this yourself. Flatten down the flutes using the file and then dip it in water for about 20 to 30 seconds and then press it in the dowel hole. Allow a few hours and try to pull the dowel out. With pliers, you might be successful.
In any case, this greatly facilitates the assembly of the four-sided mitered frame.
End of tip.
Fluted dowels:
I still do.
I use the fluted dowels and in most instances, I simply apply glue and tap them in place.
However, when I am dowelling mitered joints a tight fit on the dowels makes assembly difficult. In that instance I place the fluted dowel on a hard, flat work surface and then take a 12" fine tooth flat metal working file and roll it over dowel and the work surface to flatten down the flutes.
This does not remove any material. It flattens. But it does allow the dowels a good deal of looseness that makes assembly easier.
This does not affect the holding power of the dowels. The dowels will return to their earlier shape with the exposure to the water in the glue. You can test this yourself. Flatten down the flutes using the file and then dip it in water for about 20 to 30 seconds and then press it in the dowel hole. Allow a few hours and try to pull the dowel out. With pliers, you might be successful.
In any case, this greatly facilitates the assembly of the four-sided mitered frame.
End of tip.
Fluted dowels:
