Making the Dowel Pins

• 1). Measure and mark a section of dowel that's 1 1/2 to 1 1/4 inches long. You can make the dowel pin longer if you feel the project warrants it, but most dowels are about this length.
  
  
• 2). Cut that section of dowel off of the rod.
  
  
• 3
  dowel pin image by Jim Mills from Fotolia.com
  
  Sand the cut edge of the dowel smooth. Then sand both ends to form a bevel at either end. This bevel helps push the glue around the dowel, which keeps it attached to the wood.
  
  
• 4). Repeat the process for all other dowels that you're trying to make.
  
  

Using the Dowel Pins

• 1). Place the pieces of wood that you're joining side by side, so that the ends line up in their final position. Imagine if the joint was actually a hinge and that you had opened it to see where the dowels would go.
  
  
• 2). Mark the location of the dowel pin or pins on the pieces of wood. Make lines that go across both pieces and are parallel with each other, then mark crosses at the center of the wood.
  
  
• 3). Set the drill with a 1/4- or 5/16-inch bit. Drill a hole about 3/4-inch deep at the crosses marked earlier. Repeat on both pieces of wood. Try to widen the hole a little by holding the bit against the edge of it.
  
  
• 4). Drop some glue into and around the edges of the holes.
  
  
• 5). Insert the dowel pin into the hole on one side and twist it around to spread the glue.
  
  
• 6). Push the other piece of wood onto the dowel and twist to spread the glue again. Line the pieces up in their final position and leave to dry overnight.