I am looking for a basic dowel jig to use on edging a workbench top - I may also use it on a bookcase. I searched the posts and found the following recommendations:
1.) Dowelmax - Looks great but I cannot afford this at this point for weekend work
2.) Dowel It - Looks interesting. Less than 40 bucks on the "bay".
3.) Stanely 59 - I like old tools but wonder if the newer ones are "smarter".
However, I found the following one that looks clever but I cannot find anything about it. Mikes Tools has it for under 30.00. Here is what the site says:
"The Smart doweling Jig Model No. SD373 Made in the USA. This doweling jig was first introduced to the public in 1999 at the LA Wood Show. It was quite a hit. First of all it works on a common center principle rather than an actual center. Most of the stock today is not exactly the same thickness. This jig will insure that at least on side will be flat in the stock in not the same. Drill the holes at the same time. That means the alignment of the stock is done quickly. Just make sure the ends of the boards are flush with each other and the rest is automatic. You can join edge to end of a surface joint, edge to inside surface, it works great on miter joints like picture frames, and of course edge to edge for panel making. You can even dowel a 3/8" dowel pin into a 1/2" stock.
A supply of dowel pins is standard equipment, as is instructions."
Here is a link. http://www.mikestools.com/SD373-Smart-Doweling-Jig.aspx
It looks like it may only work with one size of dowel, however, it looks like it would work very slickly to put the edge on the workbench top. Anyone have one of these Smart Doweling Jigs or see any advanatages/disadvantages to it?