The stock for this exercise is the same size, and worked to the same size, as that used in Lesson 19 (Halved Cross).

It is often better to connect two pieces with dowels instead of with mortises and tenons. Doweling is used much more at present than formerly, and for some lines of work is to be preferred.

Work the stock to size and carefully square the end which is to receive the dowels. Draw a line with the gauge at the end which is to receive the dowels. This line should be at the center of the piece and parallel with the sides. With the knife and try-square draw a line on the face of the other piece which will exactly coincide with the line drawn on the end of the first piece. It is sometimes better to lay the pieces in position as they will be when the joint is complete, and with the point of the

Knife blade make a mark on both pieces at the same time, as shown in Fig. 113. Next set the gauge to the mark on the end, and extend it across the end. With the try-square and knife extend the other mark

Fig. 112. Dowel Joint.

across the face of the other piece. With the gauge set at 1/2 inch and the head against the face edge, draw short lines crossing the other two lines. Set the gauge to 11/2 inches and draw two other short lines. With the 3/8-inch bit bore a hole at each of the four places marked by the crossing of the lines. Be

very careful to have the holes center exactly where the lines cross. Remember not to bore entirely through the piece which has the holes in its face side. Bore about 11/2 inches into the end. Cut two dowels 2 inches long from 3/8-inch dowel rod. After placing glue on the dowels and in the holes, force the pins to the bottom of the short holes either by using a hammer or a clamp. Then place the other piece in position and force it to place with a clamp. Dowels and other joints which cannot be forced together by hammering may sometimes be forced together by using clamps. It is usual to point the pins a little. If cold glue is used allow it to become quite dry before putting the pieces together. Glue on the end and surface of the pieces will help to make a good joint for finishing, although it is not likely that it will add much to the strength unless the end grain is first sized with glue. (For directions for sizing see Lesson 31 (Gained And Rabbeted Corner).) Glued dowels are used only when one or both pieces are joined at their ends. Dowels should not be used in regular glue joints.

Fig. 113. Locating Holes for Doweling.