Compact Table Saw Dowel Jig - Dowel Maker

⚠️ WARNING

This advanced table saw jig is designed for experienced woodworkers and is not suitable for beginners. Please thoroughly familiarize yourself with its operation by watching the linked video before attempting to use it. If you are not completely comfortable with power tool safety, do not use this jig. Operate at your own risk.

🪵 Turn Scrap into Epic Furniture Features

Ever looked at a beautiful piece of hardwood scrap and wished it was a custom accent piece? This Compact Dowel Maker Jig lets you run square stock safely through your table saw and walk away with smooth, round dowels. Whether you need strong, custom-sized dowels for structural joinery or striking grain matches for decorative accents, a slight sanding is all it takes to turn them into the next epic feature in your furniture builds. It saves your wallet from the big-box store markup and breathes new life into your off-cut pile.

✨ Features

• No Hardware Required: The Compact base is 100% 3D-printed. You don't need to buy a single screw or bolt to assemble it—just clamp it down to your table saw fence and go!
• Space Saver: Designed to handle your everyday shop needs without taking up precious space on your workbench.
• Cross-Compatible Sizing Blocks: While the base jig is specific to this Compact footprint, the sizing templates are completely interchangeable. They will lock right into the Heavy-Duty Large Jig (model link) as well!

📐 Pre-made Templates Included

No math or modeling required. We’ve pre-rendered the most common sizes so you can print and play immediately. Each size features high-visibility markings:

• 1.25 in | 31.75 mm
• 1.00 in | 25.40 mm
• 0.75 in | 19.00 mm
• 0.50 in | 12.70 mm
• 0.25 in | 6.35 mm 

(Need a unique dimension? Use the included parametric file to print your own size, or quickly cut a custom template out of 3/4" plywood scrap!)

🧵 Filament & Material Tips

• Print & Strength: This jig can be printed in any filament you prefer—PLA, PETG, and others all work perfectly, and you won't have any issues with overall strength.
• Preventing Friction & Melting: Because 3D-printed plastic can soften under high friction, be careful with the template blocks. If a block rubs directly against the table saw blade, or if the stock is forced through too tightly, the heat can cause the plastic to melt. Keeping your stock slightly loose and properly aligning the jig to the blade will prevent any issues.
• The Plywood Alternative (Zero Melting): If you want a completely bulletproof setup, you can make your own templates! The template blocks are intentionally designed at 100 x 100mm to perfectly match the thickness of 3/4" plywood. Simply cut a scrap piece of plywood to size, and you'll never have to worry about friction heat again.

📺 Inspiration & How to Use It

This design is heavily inspired by the brilliant work of GRINwood. He put together an incredibly detailed video showing the mechanics of how this style of jig works and exactly how to use it safely in your shop.

Check out their full video here for a complete walkthrough:

📦 Need to Go Bigger and Longer?

If you are planning to run extra-long dowels and want integrated dust collection, check out the Large Model Jig (requires a few pieces of standard hardware for maximum rigidity and supports longer runs more stably): 

Try this: 👉 Table Saw Dowel Maker Jig (Large)