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October 17, 2007
Connecting DowelsLarry sent me a message about connecting 1" dowels together to form a "staff" this week. Larry I was going to respond back to you directly, but the email address you sent me just kept bouncing back to me. Here's Larry's question: I'm trying to find a way to connect several one (1") inch dowel pieces end to end to make a 6' 6" long staff. I know I can use a threader to make a 1/2" male threaded part but can I use a tap to make make the female threaded part in the end of a connecting dowel? Or would it be better to find some type of a brass sleeve/connector. The staff needs to be broken down when not in use. I'm planing to use cherry if that makes any difference. Here's my response to Larry's question: Since you want to break it down when your staff isn't being used your choices are much more limited. For a neater look, and for it to look like it's one piece, I would use a mortise and tenon. You can do this easily if you have a lathe. Cut the mortise with a Jacob's chuck and an appropriate size drill bit, probably 5/8". Remove material for the corresponding tenon using a pealing cut with a skew chisel making sure you test the fit frequently for a snug fit. You may still have to put a screw through the tenon in order to get the pieces to stay together. The only other alternative I can think of is like you said, use a sleeve connector. You could use brass pipe, expensive, or maybe paint pvc pipe black or another color to accent the cherry. You're still going to have to use screws or some other mechanical fastener to hold the pieces together. I hope this helps, let me know what you decide to do and how it turns out! -Craig
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Comments (2)
I know another way to connect those dowels in a way that can be disassembled, but it is hardly woodwork. Since I am from the Netherlands, I also don't know where you can get the hardware or what it is called in the USA. There are "woodscrews" that have woodthreads on one end, and threads on the other end on which nuts can be threaded. In this case, threaded inserts or the like could be used. over here I can get inserts that are not threaded, but rough on the outside and expand when a bolt is screwed in. they need a much smaller hole than ordinary threaded inserts. connecting dowels is as simple as making some holes, screwing in the hardware (maybe with some kind of glue, because it is endgrain), and screwing the dowels together. with the right hardware the end of the dowels need only relative small holes, and no sleeves are needed on the outside. a small mortise and tenon - only for registering the ends of the dowels - could be used to make it more rigid.
good luck!
Peter
Posted by Peter | October 20, 2007 12:58 PM
Posted on October 20, 2007 12:58
Great idea Peter, I have seen those threaded dowels here in the States but I can't remember where. If anybody out there has seen these threaded dowels lets us know.
Craig
Posted by (WR) Craig | October 22, 2007 8:53 PM
Posted on October 22, 2007 20:53