Replies

1. 
   rob.kelly | Mar 15, 2002 04:01am | #1

   *
   Kim, we don't turn them, We set the TS blade at 45* and make an octagon out of a square blank, then 4 passes on the router table with a quarter round bit followed by sanding.

   For rods for hanging drapes, clothes, etc. we find some people prefer the 8 sided shape.

1. 
   Ed_Gregg | Mar 15, 2002 01:58pm | #2

   *Check out Midwest Dowel Works - http://www.midwestdowel.com - I've had great success with large diameter maple dowels for threading - I'm under the impression Midwest does custom work and they do have cherry. Let us know where you finally find the dowel.

1. 
   Dave_Wright_ | Mar 15, 2002 02:18pm | #3

   *A search for "custom wood dowels" @ dogpile.com appears to turn up several possible suppliers, though it will be a custom order. This page specifically lists their capability as up to 8" diameter and 16' length:http://www.exceldowel.com/dowelrd.htmFWIW, I consistently have good searching luck with Dogpile since it subs the text string to many other engines.Best of Luck, Dave

1. 
   Kim_Carleton_Graves | Mar 15, 2002 03:59pm | #4

   *Thanks Rob,For the obvious solution…. Being a turner sometimes blinds me to what’s quick and cheap. Funny how one gets caught up in what one already knows.Regards,Kim Carleton GravesCarleton Woodworking

1. 
   Mike_Taylor1 | Mar 15, 2002 06:25pm | #5

   *I've made 2 or 3 for the house here by laminating two 3/4" strips together into a square dowel.Rather than trimming the blanks on the TS, I made a cradle for my planer. The cradle was a thick board with a 90 degree notch cut into it and clamped to the bed. This gave cleaner edges than what I could get from my TS. The final was an octoganal dowel, not a circular dowel.

2. 
   Will_O'Brien_2 | Mar 15, 2002 06:44pm | #6

   *Kim,What are you going to do with such a long dowel.Willps I enjoyed your article by the way -- Well done