Genius Idea? Game Changing trick for Perfect Dowel Alignment without a Jig

So simple and easy, but oh so accurate. Using ordinary masking tape for lining up the holes for dowels is pretty much fool-proof. I used this method several times after I made this video and with the same results: perfectly lined up dowels.
Now I should mention that the tape locates the centre point precisely, but it's up to you to drill the hole straight. Using a brad-point bit is mandatory and getting a feel for drilling at a 90 degree angle is also very important. However, you can use a block of wood with a hole drilled on the drill press to help guide the drill bit straight, if drilling freehand. Or just drill the holes on a drill press if you have one.
But with that said, the holes don't need to be drilled at the exact angle - they just need to be close and the joint will go together without any problem. The important thing (and why the dowel centre pins failed) is that the holes are in perfectly lined up on both parts, and that's what the tape trick does.
Try it out for yourself!

Line Up Dowels PERFECTLY the Easy Way - Essential Woodworking Knowledge

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[JohnHeisz]

So simple and easy, but oh so accurate. Using ordinary masking tape for lining up the holes for dowels is pretty much fool-proof. I used this method several times after I made this video and with the same results: perfectly lined up dowels.
Now I should mention that the tape locates the centre point precisely, but it's up to you to drill the hole straight. Using a brad-point bit is mandatory and getting a feel for drilling at a 90 degree angle is also very important. However, you can use a block of wood with a hole drilled on the drill press to help guide the drill bit straight, if drilling freehand. Or just drill the holes on a drill press if you have one.
But with that said, the holes don't need to be drilled at the exact angle - they just need to be close and the joint will go together without any problem. The important thing (and why the dowel centre pins failed) is that the holes are in perfectly lined up on both parts, and that's what the tape trick does.
Try it out for yourself!

[jwill]

What is most impressive to me is how John can free-hand drill the holes straight and to a consistent depth

[missamo]

Well I thought the best part of my day today would be easting lunch with friends then watching the Super Bowl but no. I was wrong. It was sipping coffee at 6am and watching one of the simplest and most elegant woodworking tips I've ever seen on YouTube. 🤯

[HexenzirkelZuluhed]

The "random" placement also ensures one cannot accidentally join the wrong pieces together.

[stephandelange]

Honestly, for a man who's been doing a lot of woodworking in the past 30 some years. Did thousands of dowel holes! Lots were perfect, lots were complete disasters. Even with top-notch jigs. Your idea? Your idea is so ridiculously idiotic that it's absolutely genius! Brilliant! I'll have to try that one on my next build that requires dowels. Thanks. Love your videos!

[patmash]

Hey john, a bit off topic but, it is always a joy watching your videos with ZERO sponsors or ads popping up every few minutes! one of the super rare few.

[pseudomonad]

This man is clearly in the pay of Big Masking Tape.

[rafvdp]

Every time you think you seen it all, John pulls something like this out of his sleeve. Just brilliant, simple and effective ! Tape manufacturers are gonna make a killing 😅. Great little tutorial John 👌I hope this gets a lot of views it certainly deserves it.

[lawrencelunsford]

Simple, effective, brilliant! Thanks John! :)

[OutdoorExperience.]

That's a brilliant idea! Thanks for sharing, John! Keep up the good work! 👍

[gabrielgarcia]

One thing I've noticed lately about John is how frustrated he seems to be about whether or not he receives the views he feels he should be receiving. With all the time and effort he puts into making these videos. Then there's the click bait issue and so on, and so forth. I remember seeing Norm Abram on tv but didn't pay too much attention to him nor the show. Not even the hobby or craft. I was still watching my cartoons and playing outside. But I understand, Norm is a highly known woodworker. YOU, John Heisz, are MY Norm Abram. I admire your work. All of it. Your builds, your skills, your video making, editing. Even your narrating. I look forward to receiving the notification of a new video. Even the Rants. Keep up the GREAT work and just know that you have very many more fans out there just like me.

[denisdore]

Absolutely BRILLIANT, ACCURATE, CHEAP and EASY. Can't wait to try it !

[murphymmc]

A great solution for those of us who don't dowel often, nice. The grain matched joint was a nice touch as well.

[philshock]

Awesome! Hardest part about this are the drill angles. Amazed you were able to do it freehand ... never would have thought that slight discrepancies are irrelevant.

[euartista]

On the miter that you did, even the grain of the wood was almost perfectly aligned. That is a GREAT idea. No jigs, No expensive tools. Thanks for sharing, keep up the awesome work!

[lexboegen]

I’ve been a subscriber to your videos since long before you became a full time YouTuber, and videos like this are why. No BS, and clever original ideas that I don’t find anywhere else. You’re the best!

[hectorgarza]

Always the simplest way is the best way! Marvelous, appreciated!

[scalpingdaytrader]

The simplicity of this is just stunning, I have a not great dowl jig and honestly this actually looks about as quick, and a lot more accurate, thank you for your fantastic videos

[DanaOredson]

This is awesome for lining up the hole positions. The next critical piece is ensuring you drill the holes accurately for the dowels to be aligned. Of course, the dowel pins suffer from the same problem.

[beetleb]

Whilst I agree that the tape method is more accurate than the dowel pins, I did notice that your drill angle was off when you did the dowel pin demonstration. Your drill was not aligned to the dowel direction in the wood. So predictably, your joint was off. Having said that, I don't want to take away from this innovative idea. Sure is a great way to do tricky dowelling when a jig wont help. I'll absolutely use this method!