Hello Bob:
Thanks for your kind comments regarding Dowelmax. I am still quite annoyed about the tests undertaken by FWW, for various reasons, but primarily because the testing was undoubtedly flawed.
My son and I did a destructive test yesterday (Sunday) and we video taped the procedure. Five dowels on a 1 inch x 4 inch (oak), the first test with 1 inch penetration, the second test with 2 inch dowel penetration. In the first test with the 1 inch penetration, the joint did not fail, the wood failed at 750 lbs. per square inch. In the second test with the 2 inch penetration dowels, the joint failed at just over 1,000 lbs. per square inch.
My point is Robert, these pressures, in my opinion, are absolute overkill, and I would estimate (without testing) that 400 to 500 lbs. per square inch would be adequate in 99% of situations.
The test undertaken by FWW was different from our tests, but of course that makes no difference so long as all other aspects are equal. In every single one of our tests the multiple dowel joint has been as strong if not stronger than a comparable mortise and tenon.
Having said all that, we appreciate your comments, your support and the time you took to try to resolve the perception. I think my son intends to include the video we made on our web site and our old destructive comparable testing is already on our web site if you would like to view it.
Once again, thanks and regards
Jim
Monday, April 20, 2009
Monday, March 30, 2009
I am sorry it took me so long to respond to the various comments I have received, we just got back from vacation and it took a week to catch up. Jeremy, your comments regarding "the other half" (the better half?) made me laugh. Is that problem universal, it sounded very like Marie and myself. Our biggest problem is, I don't do drawings, I visualize it in my head, start with the exterior dimensions and then just build it. This drives Marie crazy because obviously she wants to see what the finished article will be before giving it the go ahead.
Not too many problems so far with the "purchased" dining set, and I can only hope that it continues. I really don't want to start rebuilding it.
I am so disappointed with FWW, their whole philosophy seems to revolve around office politics, money, and it would appear that whoever pays the piper calls the tune, although they go to great lengths to deny such a charge.
In their tests, they tested a 1 inch dowel against the 2 inch mortise, which is ridiculous, then they based our rating on the strength of the wood (the dowel joint did not fail). The final straw was testing a zero biscuit (about the size of a quarter) against a 2 inch mortise. Is it just me, or is this not ridiculous?
Thanks for the suggestions about the plans. I did consider this option strongly at one point, however the problem is two fold. First of all we don't have the means to put them on the PDF format and could probably only solve that problem by Michael doing an extensive computer course. The second thing is that there is not much call for plans. I have only had two or three requests in an 8 year period. Also as I said earlier, I don't do my own drawings, so therefore it would mean starting from scratch with measurements etc. etc. Having said all that I want to thank you very much Jeremy for your kind offer. Another quite timely Email arrived a while ago, asking us if we would like to link to a local company that has drawn up plans for various furniture styles. They use the Dowelmax extensively in the plans, so we are in talks with that company to see how it can benefit both companies.
It's so great to see signs of Spring after a very long and colder than normal Winter. Best wishes to all my friends and fellow bloggers.
Not too many problems so far with the "purchased" dining set, and I can only hope that it continues. I really don't want to start rebuilding it.
I am so disappointed with FWW, their whole philosophy seems to revolve around office politics, money, and it would appear that whoever pays the piper calls the tune, although they go to great lengths to deny such a charge.
In their tests, they tested a 1 inch dowel against the 2 inch mortise, which is ridiculous, then they based our rating on the strength of the wood (the dowel joint did not fail). The final straw was testing a zero biscuit (about the size of a quarter) against a 2 inch mortise. Is it just me, or is this not ridiculous?
Thanks for the suggestions about the plans. I did consider this option strongly at one point, however the problem is two fold. First of all we don't have the means to put them on the PDF format and could probably only solve that problem by Michael doing an extensive computer course. The second thing is that there is not much call for plans. I have only had two or three requests in an 8 year period. Also as I said earlier, I don't do my own drawings, so therefore it would mean starting from scratch with measurements etc. etc. Having said all that I want to thank you very much Jeremy for your kind offer. Another quite timely Email arrived a while ago, asking us if we would like to link to a local company that has drawn up plans for various furniture styles. They use the Dowelmax extensively in the plans, so we are in talks with that company to see how it can benefit both companies.
It's so great to see signs of Spring after a very long and colder than normal Winter. Best wishes to all my friends and fellow bloggers.
Monday, January 26, 2009
ONE DOWN FIVE TO GO
We recently moved to Kelowna and our bedroom has an enormous fireplace right in the middle of one wall, at first I thought it was a bloody monstrosity, until the cold snap. Suddenly and without warning, breakfast in bed, at the weekend, with the local paper, and a raging fire became very appealing. It’s a hard life in Canada!!
The reason for having to make two identical dressers, is to balance the fireplace wall visually. Well I finished the first dresser, over two hundred hours, and counting. So now I only have to complete one additional dresser, one bench, two end tables, and a bed. I thought this was supposed to be a labour of love and fun, maybe its evidence of inherent masochistic tendencies. I’m joking of course, I did enjoy the process, but there’s a long way to go. The dresser was 100% dowel construction, thank God. Can you imagine doing 77 m & t joints?? I also taped the joint surfaces, then prepped, stained, and sprayed all partially assembled parts, before final gluing and clamping. Instead of lacquer I thinned Varathane and sprayed, the result was very pleasing, a lacquer look alike, but with more protection. I should add Alder is my favourite wood - but a pain to stain.
I should mention the second dresser is about 75% complete. For a change I made the very wise decision to construct both simultaneously. I intend showing both in a promotional video, sort of before and after so to speak. We machined longer stepped aluminum dowels to provide an exploded view of the assembly. That’s been quite successful. I’m including photos but I’m not happy with the photo of the finished dresser, I couldn’t get the light quite right, but it’ll have to do.
Bye the way all six drawers, were made with Dowelmax in the face configuration, using ¼” dowels, and that was tremendously successful.
We are heading to Maui in February, and if we take the laptop, I’ll do some blogging while sipping my Mai Tai, under a palm tree, watching the whales, turtles, surfers and sunsets. Back in March. Aloha and Mahalo till then.
Thursday, January 1, 2009
HAPPY NEW YEAR
It's Jan. 1st. so it would appear a suitable time to continue with my rant. Mike, my son, sent a rather frank letter to the editor of F.W.W. No reply as yet. I don't expect too much in the form of substance, but we'll see.
After 30 odd years in Vancouver, Marie and I decided to move to the southern interior of B.C. It's a beautiful place gorgeous in the summer, but cold in the winter. Apparently it's known as the Napa Valley of the north, and now I know why.
We are fortunate to have a 180 degree view of the Okanagan lake and city of Kelowna, gorgeous at night. Lots of vineyards and world class wine.
Something which I consider significant occurred during our move, we needed a new dining room suite, and since I've made 95% of all our furniture, I was prepared to design and make the table and chairs. However since we knew it would take an age, particularly with the chairs, we decided to buy. It turned out to be a fairly expensive venture, and on the surface looked beautiful. Initially I lost a bit of confidence in my abilities, since I wondered how I could possibly compete with this apparent classy piece of art,I was also childishly miffed that Marie could so readily abandon my efforts. To cut a long story short she is now totally exasperated, and sincerely wishes we had been a bit more patient, and I had gone ahead and built the set. The top of the table began to get dull in patches which is a problem we never had before. If you use a cloth to wipe, it leaves faint scores all over the glaze (which is a very dark almost black finish). First she asked me to refinish the top and I agreed, until I looked underneath and found the top was made of particle board and veneered. I also found that the legs are secured to the apron, or rails with steel bolts through a corner bracket, something I would never dream of doing, I would have created a permanent joint at each leg utilising 12 staggered dowels. I should never have made the assumption that because the set was expensive it naturally follows it must be good. My confidence in my own furniture making has just been given a boost. The dining suite that I made almost 30 years ago, now sits proudly in our friend's dining room!!
I am now working on a new bedroom suite. It will be completed 100% utilizing dowels. and I'll explain about that in a later post. Thanks to the people who have viewed this blog and sent me great comments. I truly appreciate the time taken to respond.
After 30 odd years in Vancouver, Marie and I decided to move to the southern interior of B.C. It's a beautiful place gorgeous in the summer, but cold in the winter. Apparently it's known as the Napa Valley of the north, and now I know why.
We are fortunate to have a 180 degree view of the Okanagan lake and city of Kelowna, gorgeous at night. Lots of vineyards and world class wine.
Something which I consider significant occurred during our move, we needed a new dining room suite, and since I've made 95% of all our furniture, I was prepared to design and make the table and chairs. However since we knew it would take an age, particularly with the chairs, we decided to buy. It turned out to be a fairly expensive venture, and on the surface looked beautiful. Initially I lost a bit of confidence in my abilities, since I wondered how I could possibly compete with this apparent classy piece of art,I was also childishly miffed that Marie could so readily abandon my efforts. To cut a long story short she is now totally exasperated, and sincerely wishes we had been a bit more patient, and I had gone ahead and built the set. The top of the table began to get dull in patches which is a problem we never had before. If you use a cloth to wipe, it leaves faint scores all over the glaze (which is a very dark almost black finish). First she asked me to refinish the top and I agreed, until I looked underneath and found the top was made of particle board and veneered. I also found that the legs are secured to the apron, or rails with steel bolts through a corner bracket, something I would never dream of doing, I would have created a permanent joint at each leg utilising 12 staggered dowels. I should never have made the assumption that because the set was expensive it naturally follows it must be good. My confidence in my own furniture making has just been given a boost. The dining suite that I made almost 30 years ago, now sits proudly in our friend's dining room!!
I am now working on a new bedroom suite. It will be completed 100% utilizing dowels. and I'll explain about that in a later post. Thanks to the people who have viewed this blog and sent me great comments. I truly appreciate the time taken to respond.
Monday, December 22, 2008
IN AT THE DEEP END!
I decided to start a blog in a moment of exasperation. Now that I've begun I'm at a loss for words. I mean how conceited can you get? I think the FWW article was the last straw. I can state catagorically, that no matter what transpires, we will not advertise in that magazine again. That is unless the Editor personally apologises for his transgressions. What is it they say about hell freezing over?
Seriously, we poured literally tens of thousands of advertising dollars into that mag over the years, I might add for token postage stamp coverage, yet they appeared to balk at any attempt to increase our exposure, by using our system, even as part of a project. One magazine did an excellent article a few years ago, without much bidding I might add, it covered two complete pages. That magazine is Shop Notes and guess what? Advertising is not part of the magazine format.
When I decided to go ahead I was offered all sorts of advice on how to proceed, this more noteably from a guy in Australia. Now I have a soft spot for Aussies,I was an Engineer Officer in the Merchant Navy in the sixties, and sailed with a few of them in and out of a few ports in Australia and other countries. I am a proud Scot and a proud Canadian. Can I be both? However I can tell you that if ever I was in serious trouble I'd like an Aussie at my back. What's my point? Ron the Aussie has offered me two pieces of advice both absolutely sage and brilliant, and I have absolutely no intention of heeding either one, sorry Ron.I always had trouble taking orders and/or advice. Having said that I know he's right.
I know I will have to make Dowelmax a viable part of this blog, to make it semi interesting, I mean who cares about what time I head to Starbucks each morning for my half decaf. I will seriously attempt not to make it sound like a sales pitch. After eight years of fairly hard work, investment, no financial return, misunderstanding, abuse, etc. etc., I still fervently believe in this tool, and absolutely love what I'm doing. I have no idea if there is a God up there, but if there is I want to thank him from the bottom of my heart.
Seriously, we poured literally tens of thousands of advertising dollars into that mag over the years, I might add for token postage stamp coverage, yet they appeared to balk at any attempt to increase our exposure, by using our system, even as part of a project. One magazine did an excellent article a few years ago, without much bidding I might add, it covered two complete pages. That magazine is Shop Notes and guess what? Advertising is not part of the magazine format.
When I decided to go ahead I was offered all sorts of advice on how to proceed, this more noteably from a guy in Australia. Now I have a soft spot for Aussies,I was an Engineer Officer in the Merchant Navy in the sixties, and sailed with a few of them in and out of a few ports in Australia and other countries. I am a proud Scot and a proud Canadian. Can I be both? However I can tell you that if ever I was in serious trouble I'd like an Aussie at my back. What's my point? Ron the Aussie has offered me two pieces of advice both absolutely sage and brilliant, and I have absolutely no intention of heeding either one, sorry Ron.I always had trouble taking orders and/or advice. Having said that I know he's right.
I know I will have to make Dowelmax a viable part of this blog, to make it semi interesting, I mean who cares about what time I head to Starbucks each morning for my half decaf. I will seriously attempt not to make it sound like a sales pitch. After eight years of fairly hard work, investment, no financial return, misunderstanding, abuse, etc. etc., I still fervently believe in this tool, and absolutely love what I'm doing. I have no idea if there is a God up there, but if there is I want to thank him from the bottom of my heart.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
First Post on the New Dowelmax Blog
For some time now I have been considering creating a blog site where Dowelmax owners can interact with me, make comments and ask questions related to the uses and techniques for the Dowelmax system, and get the latest news on the projects and resources that I'm developing for Dowelmax.
Of equal importance is to be able to freely respond to what I perceive to be misinformation periodically advanced with respect to woodworking as it pertains to the Dowelmax system.
To provide a bit about my background outside of Dowelmax, I'm a retired professional engineer and while this does not directly pertain to Woodworking, it can be invaluable when its use is appropriate.
I have recently had the opportunity to witness a preview of a "comparative strength test" undertaken by Fine Woodworking, and I have some serious issues with the manner and context in which the various tests were undertaken. Once the magazine is released, we will take the liberty of compiling a critique to be published on this blog.
Of equal importance is to be able to freely respond to what I perceive to be misinformation periodically advanced with respect to woodworking as it pertains to the Dowelmax system.
To provide a bit about my background outside of Dowelmax, I'm a retired professional engineer and while this does not directly pertain to Woodworking, it can be invaluable when its use is appropriate.
I have recently had the opportunity to witness a preview of a "comparative strength test" undertaken by Fine Woodworking, and I have some serious issues with the manner and context in which the various tests were undertaken. Once the magazine is released, we will take the liberty of compiling a critique to be published on this blog.
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