Dowel End Boring Jig for Drill Press

Drilling a hole in the end of a long dowel rod is difficult using a hand drill. This is best done using a lathe, but when this is not available, this jig and a drill press can do the job. The jig shared here was used to drill ½" holes in the ends of 1 ¼" dowel rods in the construction of a portable laundry drying rack (see photo). Note that the jig is specific to the size of the drill press and the diameter of the dowel rod. The model shared here is for a 16" drill press (can drill a hole up to 8" from the edge of a straight board or at the center of a 16" diameter circle) and a 1 ¼" dowel rod.

The jig consists of four pieces: a top and bottom dowel rod holders and two alignment inserts. The holders clamp onto the vertical post of the drill press using worm screw clamps. This works best for a floor-standing drill press, but a bench-standing drill press can be used if the drill head is rotated off the edge of the bench. The bottom holder is in two pieces so a long dowel rod can be mounted in the jig when the drill press is located in a room with limiting ceiling space. 

Align the top and bottom holders by installing the alignment inserts in the clamps. Align the top holder with the drill bit. Then thread a plumb bob through the hole in the top insert and rotate the bottom holder to align its insert with the point of the bob.

It is a good idea to support the bottom of the dowel rod so it does not slide down when the hole is drilled. 

The jig was printed with PLA without supports.