Dowel jig sold on Amazon as HUKOER (UK), InLoveArts (UK), Akozon (USA)

[AstroKeith]

I'm about to embark on a project which will need about 200 dowels placed, so 400 holes. I have a Wolfcraft jig which has been fine for small jobs, but with £400 of oak at risk I wanted a better jig. Key requirement was to be able to do end and 'T' joints, and in 10mm thick stock.

After some research on options, and the reviews by buyers, I went for the jig shown in the photo. Its available from Amazon for £75.

I didnt want to buy Chinese, but even the UK & US brand names are now getting their jigs sourced there.

This one is very well made, and I believe well designed too. It covers 6,8 & 10mm dowels. Does 15mm side pockets for cabinet fixings, and has a 32mm spacing feature for rows of 5mm shelf holes.

I just tried it on a test, with 4 pairs of perfectly matched holes spaced 75mm apart along a 300mm board.

Cant fault it. here's a link to the UK Amazon source -https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07Q1FWV6P/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

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[ChuckM]

I didnt want to buy Chinese, but even the UK & US brand names are now getting their jigs sourced there.

Based on the reviews, the Hukoer (or Akozon on amazon.ca; $141 Cdn) drilling guide does seem to be a good value product with China as its origin.

If one really wants to buy a premium drilling jig made in North America (Canada in this case), this is an option, starting at $156 Cdn (basic):
https://www.leevalley.com/en-ca/sho...MI4vu_3ZvN6wIV6B-tBh3U2g5mEAQYASABEgKvYfD_BwE

I don't use dowels in general, and have not used this drilling jig. But, anyone who has owned or used a JessEm product knows the quality that JessEm delivers.

 

[AstroKeith]

The JessEm jig was high on my list, but with a complete set of adapters, it comes out at about x5 the price of the Hukoer product. I was also put off by it seems to be imperial? Like the small dowels would be 1/4" and not 6mm?

It doesn't have any workpiece clamps either. So you have to use your own, not too bad at the board edges but more difficult in the middle of a 300mm board.

So with the 32mm spacing feature, the 300mm offset feature, the 15mm side hole feature - its a very cost effective solution.

 

[Svar]

How do you find fit and finish of the bushings? Some reviews complain about poor accuracy and miss alignment. Are bushings replaceable (screw in or press fit)?

 

[ChuckM]

The JessEm jig was high on my list, but with a complete set of adapters, it comes out at about x5 the price of the Hukoer product. I was also put off by it seems to be imperial? Like the small dowels would be 1/4" and not 6mm?

They do offer a metric version:https://jessem.ca/collections/joine...with-main-body-and-mounting-angle-model-08370

But as I said, I'm not familiar with the JessEm drilling jig or your requirements. Whether their jig can fulfill your needs or anyone else's, I can't offer an informed opinion. I haven't studied the JessEm jig or its accessories to understand how they work to address various joinery needs.

 

[AstroKeith]

How do you find fit and finish of the bushings? Some reviews complain about poor accuracy and miss alignment. Are bushings replaceable (screw in or press fit)?

The bushes are screw in. 3 of each size (6,8,10) are provided, plus a single 5mm for shelf work. The whole is CNC machined and the one I have is very accurate.

 

[Birdhunter]

I use the Woodpeckers Ultimate Dowel Jig and it is a fantastic tool.

 

[mkasdin]

Why not just use the Festool Domino to join the 90 deg. corners? Are the dowels exposed or are they blind? You can also use a biscuit (lamello) if you’re anti domino? If your still stock on dowels you could use fluted dowels and a Mafell duo doweller. It’s good if you just putting in 4 dowels per board, I think the issue is when your throwing one in the center the margin of error is narrow and you need to align then 6 pins ( dowels ). Incidentally I have no working experience with the either, which brings up the point of rabbet joinery or a locking rabbet, depending on what your building. Did you want to elaborate on what you’re building? Draw boxes? 10mm is pretty thin why not just glue and clamp, using a 23 pin nailer (grex). If you want the look of dowels you could reduce the number of holes? You would need to make the dowel (holes) small in a  10mm thick material. Are you using plywood or lumber?

 

[AstroKeith]

Why not just use the Festool Domino to join the 90 deg. corners? Are the dowels exposed or are they blind? You can also use a biscuit (lamello) if you’re anti domino? If your still stock on dowels you could use fluted dowels and a Mafell duo doweller. It’s good if you just putting in 4 dowels per board, I think the issue is when your throwing one in the center the margin of error is narrow and you need to align then 6 pins ( dowels ). Incidentally I have no working experience with the either, which brings up the point of rabbet joinery or a locking rabbet, depending on what your building. Did you want to elaborate on what you’re building? Draw boxes? 10mm is pretty thin why not just glue and clamp, using a 23 pin nailer (grex). If you want the look of dowels you could reduce the number of holes? You would need to make the dowel (holes) small in a  10mm thick material. Are you using plywood or lumber?

Thanks for the suggestions. I'm interested in getting a Domino, but it seems this isn't the job to justify!
I do rather like dowels and biscuits and can get them spot on with jigs. I here problem son accuracy with machines and can see manipulating a machine is a drawback I dont need.
The project I'm doing was on another thread, but I've included a CAD image below for convenience (its the 'shelf' unit at bottom). Its changed a bit recently with all the joints under compression which simplifies things. A lot of the dowels can be through.
Its 10mm solid oak, plus I dont like nailers!
Rabbets would weaken the material too much and aren't necessary now either.
My post on this thread was really just a tool review as I was so impressed with what I had bought for about 1/4 of the price of some the top brand jigs.
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[Packard]

I bought a "Joint Genie" through Amazon.com and it shipped from England and arrived in one week.  Very accurate and very fast to use, especially if you are putting in multiple dowels in sheet goods.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005J49DU0/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

This video clearly shows how it works. Unfortunately the images are not particularly sharp, but it is informative:


It is very easy to use, however I had to get an image in my head for orientation and that took a few tries.  But now it is second nature and very fast and accurate.  It is not cheap (165.00), but well made. 

 

[Packard]

The inexpensive Milescraft doweling jig seems to work in much the same manner--just not as pretty, and probably not as durable.

 

[fshanno]

The best looking one I've seen is the Dowelmax.

 

[Packard]

I just got this setup from Amazon.de (Germany).  They shipped to the USA.  It promises to be fast and easy to use for cabinets in 3/4 or 18mm plywood, MDF or particleboard. 

I will test it out this weekend.  The workmanship looks first rate, and the construction is quite robust.  1/2" thick aluminum extrusions and 1/2" thick phenolic sheets (they call it "laminated bakelite").
https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B00LJ36LEQ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1
https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B00LJ36JZC/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s02?ie=UTF8&psc=1
https://www.amazon.de/ADATTATORE-Po...2ace6&pd_rd_wg=vNULN&pd_rd_i=B00K6JM58U&psc=1

IGM tools sells this under their own brand name and they have a nice video.
https://www.igmtools.com/category/woodworking-jigs/boring-dowel--hinges-jigs/