What is a Dowel? | Definition of a Dowel - Apex Granite Outlet

Dowels are cylindrical wooden rods used in cabinet-making to connect two pieces of wood together. They are made from hardwoods such as maple, birch, and oak, and come in different diameters depending on their intended use. The dowel is inserted into a hole in each piece of wood that needs to be joined, and glue is applied to the surface of the dowel to provide additional holding power. The joint created by a dowel is strong and durable, and can be used in many different applications, including cabinet construction.

In kitchen cabinets, dowels are often used to connect the sides of the cabinet to the top and bottom panels. They are also used to attach shelves to the sides of the cabinet and to connect the face frame to the cabinet box. Dowels can provide additional strength to a cabinet, especially when combined with other joinery techniques such as dadoes and rabbets. They can also make assembly of the cabinet easier, as the dowels help to align the parts of the cabinet and hold them in place while the glue dries.

Dowels can be purchased pre-cut and ready to use, or they can be made on a dowel-making machine. The dowels are typically made slightly oversized and then sanded down to fit the holes they are intended to fill. They can also be tapered to create a stronger joint, as the wider end of the dowel will provide more holding power than the narrower end. Dowels are a cost-effective way to create strong joints in cabinets and are an important part of cabinet-making technology.