How to Use a Dowel Jig: The Ultimate Guide

Rediscover the dowel jig

If you think pocket screws and biscuits have put dowel jigs out to pasture, think again. I love pocket screws and biscuits, but dowels offer a combination of strength, simplicity and accuracy that can’t be beat. That’s why most furniture is still manufactured with dowels. For less than $50, you can buy a self-centering jig that can make joints as well as a machine can. All you need is a drill. Over the course of this article I will be going into detail on how a dowel jig works and how to use a dowel jig to create different types of joints, while also sharing a handful of tips on general dowel jig use. Plus: You can build this beautiful outdoor bench with dowel construction.