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When I need to re-size a dowel, I take a piece about 8" long and chuck it up in my cordless drill. I use my metal drill gauge to reduce it down to the size I need. I sharpen the end of the dowel, so that I can start it in the hole size that is 1 step smaller than the dowel. I lay the drill gauge over a hole that is in my work table, and run the dowel through the hole in the drill gauge. It will grind it down in a jiffy. Work your way down 1 size at the time, and you can take it down to any size you need. You also can do a step down in the dowel if needed. Below is the type drill gauge I am talking about. You can find them for cheap at most hardware stores.

https://www.grainger.com/product/39EP32?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI1ufUy5jN5wIVhYbACh1xmwWpEAQYAyABEgI-mfD_BwE&cm_mmc=PPC:+Google+PLA&ef_id=EAIaIQobChMI1ufUy5jN5wIVhYbACh1xmwWpEAQYAyABEgI-mfD_BwE:G:s&s_kwcid=AL!2966!3!284662604830!!!g!478234114501!

Nice tip, James. Thank you.

That is how I make mahogany dowels for filling headstock screw holes, except I use the metal holders in the drill bit box...

I gotta try that, thanks!

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Brian R, Wood Mechanic
N8ZED