Its Here! Freuds dowel machine

[Matt Ocel]

$329.99 at Rockler

[Peter Quinn]

Another interesting joinery option. Any idea what the maximum depth of hole is? I looked at the Freud announcement and didn't see that listed.

[Matt Ocel]

I just went online to order it and it is allready sold out due to high demand.

[Dave Lehnert]

Guess it all what you compare it to but $329 seems a bit high. $199 would be in line with a biscuit jointer but then a Festool domino is what $700? May be a bargain at $329.
Will be interesting to see what woodworkers will come up with using this tool.

[Joe Vincent]

I'm too lazy to look it up. Does it have a system for registering the holes a la Dowelmax? Or do you line it up with pencil marks like a biscuit joiner?

[Pete Clifford]

Another interesting joinery option. Any idea what the maximum depth of hole is? I looked at the Freud announcement and didn't see that listed.

According to the Rockler site, "with bits spaced exactly 32 mm apart, it’s especially suited for Eurpean cabinet applications. Drills two holes simultaneously up to 1-3/8" deep."

I'm too lazy to look it up. Does it have a system for registering the holes a la Dowelmax? Or do you line it up with pencil marks like a biscuit joiner?

- "Adjustable indexing pins ensure even spacing of repetitive holes."

[C Scott McDonald]

Looks pretty cool. We should start a stop watch to see how long it takes a Festool fan boy to come in and start ripping it up

Scott

[Rick Fisher]

I just got a Domino.
I dont think I need two of these types of tools.
I am not a big fan of Freud electric tools. This one does look interesting.

I bet everyone has one of these soon enough.

[Gary Lange]

Why spend $329.00 for the electric Dowel Machine when for about $60.00 or so you can buy this. You only use it once in a while I would think and you can put the money you save into something that you will be using more.

http://www.onlinetoolreviews.com/reviews/dowelmax.htm

[James White]

Hi Gary,

Were did you see this for $60? The bottom of that review shows it on Amazon for $310.

James

[glenn bradley]

It seems that by the time you get a DowelMax really setup as a versatile tool you push $200 and can go beyond but, I would do that before I'd go with a dedicated one-trick-pony. I went with a Mortise Pal but I do more mortising than doweling. Also, I don't know that DowelMax can help you with surface drilling(?). So, as usual folks . . . What's Best? . . . it depends.

[Brent Smith]

Why spend $329.00 for the electric Dowel Machine when for about $60.00 or so you can buy this. You only use it once in a while I would think and you can put the money you save into something that you will be using more.

http://www.onlinetoolreviews.com/reviews/dowelmax.htm

Hi Gary,

Let's go into business together. You buy Dowelmaxs for $60, and I'll sell them for double that and split the profits with you . I think you better double check that price . It's a great tool, but does have it's limitations just as most tools do.

The Freud tool looks like it's strength that will set it apart from other dowelling tools would be in doing panel work. Most dowel jigs leave something to be desired if you want to set a line of dowels in the middle of a panel (ie. a bookcase side). With this tool a straight edge and you're ready to go. Pretty much a bisuit joiner that drills for dowels instead of cuts for biscuits.

[Gary Herrmann]

It seems that by the time you get a DowelMax really setup as a versatile tool you push $200 and can go beyond but, I would do that before I'd go with a dedicated one-trick-pony. I went with a Mortise Pal but I do more mortising than doweling. Also, I don't know that DowelMax can help you with surface drilling(?). So, as usual folks . . . What's Best? . . . it depends.

Glenn, I've been looking at the mortise pal. What do you see as the pros and cons of it? Sorry I'm hijacking the thread...

[Wade Lippman]

If the distance was variable it would be interested. But with the two holes fixed at 32mm apart, I don't think I would get enough use out of it.

Comparing it to the domino...
I think the best part of the domino is the indexing from hole to hole; it is done easily and perfectly. This doesn't have that feature. (But I don't think the new domino does either; if not, I surely wouldn't pay $700 for it.)

[Brent Smith]

Hi Wade,

According to the Freud site, it has adjustable indexing pins. I didn't see anything about outrigger pins for longer spans.