This tip comes from Billy at Newton Makes. It’s a creative method for drilling a clean, centered hole in long wooden dowels without relying entirely on a handheld drill—and the results are both accurate and repeatable.
Center-drilling long dowels can be a frustrating task, especially when the goal is precision. Billy’s approach combines traditional tools with clever workholding and alignment tricks, making the process more approachable for woodworkers at any level.
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The Challenge with Long Dowels
When you’re working with a dowel, drilling straight through the center may sound easy—but even slight misalignments can ruin the outcome. Off-center holes affect not only the look of the final product, but its function too, especially if the dowel plays a structural role in your project.
Handheld drills often shift during use, and even drill presses can produce uneven results if the dowel isn’t fully supported or square to the bit. That’s why it’s critical to control every variable, from how you prep the wood to how you mount it during drilling.
Using Scrap Wood to Build a Support Base
Billy begins by cutting the dowel to a manageable length and squaring off both ends. This gives the project a solid foundation and helps avoid any tilt or shift during drilling.
Next, he attaches a piece of MDF scrap to the drill press table. This base helps cradle the dowel securely, and its flat surface prevents any unwanted rocking. By supporting the dowel evenly, you reduce vibration and increase the accuracy of the hole.
Creating the Hole with a Drill Press
The hole is started using a small forstner bit, which provides a flat-bottomed entry point and keeps the cut clean. A key takeaway from Billy’s method is to avoid repositioning anything once you start. Moving the dowel or adjusting clamps mid-process often leads to alignment issues.
After establishing a pilot hole, he switches to a larger bit sized to the final diameter. Because the pilot hole guides the second bit, the process remains centered and produces a smooth, even cut through the dowel.
Exploring a Router Table Alternative
Billy doesn’t stop at one method. He also shares an alternative approach using a router table—a helpful option for dowels that are too long or awkward to fit under a drill press.
This method starts with cutting two matching boards and aligning them edge to edge. When joined, these boards will form a channel to hold the dowel in place. If you’re using straight-grained woods like rift-sawn oak, the seam nearly disappears.
A core box bit is then used to route a semi-circular groove along the edge of each board. When glued together, the two halves form a centered cylindrical cavity—essentially creating a dowel with a built-in hole running through its length.
Aligning the Boards with an Aluminum Tube
During the glue-up, an aluminum tube is placed inside the groove to ensure alignment. This simple trick keeps both halves from slipping under clamp pressure and guarantees the hole remains straight from end to end.
It’s a practical example of how a little pre-planning and the right material choices can significantly affect the quality of the finished piece.
Shaping and Finishing the Dowel
Once the groove is drilled and the boards are glued, the outer shape can be cut on a table saw to ensure consistent width on all four sides. Removing equal material from each side helps keep the internal hole centered.
To turn the squared piece back into a dowel, Billy uses a round-over bit at the router table. This softens the edges and returns the wood to a rounded profile. The result is a smooth dowel with a perfectly centered hole—no drill needed for the final shaping.
A Smart Technique with Broad Uses
This technique isn’t just a workaround—it’s a skill-building opportunity that encourages thinking beyond traditional tools. Whether you’re trying to route a wire through a dowel, make a custom jig, or create structural joinery, a centered hole can make or break your project.
Billy’s approach highlights the importance of setup and material control, showing how to work smarter without needing advanced machines. These methods open up more design flexibility and expand what’s possible in a small workshop.
Please support Billy by visiting his website here: https://www.newtonmakes.com/shop.