tarsier

To NM Woodworker: I am having trouble visualizing what the round dowel plate would look like, and why the dowels would come out better. Any way you can post a picture?

I use only 1/2 and 1/4 inch dowels, but if I were making many different sizes, it seems that one plate with many different sized holes (like a drill bit gauge, but heftier) would be convenient.

I also lived in San Francisco, and I believe that metal tools should not be outside! Unless you live in the Mission.

San Francisco Joke: A 3 year old child was walking with his mom down Parnassus street one morning. The sun was shining. He looked up and said "look, mommy, blue fog!"

3 small suggestions: work small, work by hand, work inside. In a "shop" you need to provide proper dust collection to protect your lungs. In your living space, you can see any sawdust and mess you make, so you are more likely to protect your lungs properly.

2 large suggestions: TechShop in Menlo Park, and The Crucible in Oakland. They have all the tools you want but don't have space for, plus tools for things you don't know how to do yet. Even if you have a great guy, sometimes you want to meet some other folks who make things. In my experience, both places are full of creative people who do not think a glassworker or welder or seamster is better than a woodworker.

Good luck, post pictures when you are done.