What tool should i use to make pegs & holes in aspen wood?

Question

I'm making a bed frame (head board) out of aspen wood, i need to make pegs and holes to connect the wood, what is this tool called? is it an auger?

Answer 1

Lol.... ok... unfortunately, youve not provided a good enough description of what it is you want to do.... Thats why the variety of responses.

For example... is this headboard supposed to be like "log" furniture? or do you simply need to use a hidden, or thru-, dowel system?

For "log" type furniture - you need a tennon cutter, specifically, a 'leg' tennon cutter - Like this one - http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=11459&filter=tennon
This type could also be used to make chair legs, stair stiles, etc.

For a hidden dowel system - there are actually several methods and tools available for this... Since you are doing only ONE headboard, then you may want to look for products like these - http://www.rockler.com/search_results.cfm?filter=dowel
You can get anything from a jig, to simple dowel centers... so it really depends on how much money do you want to spend, will you ever use the tool/fixture again, and how accurate does it need to be? If this is a one time shot, and you dont want to spend a lot of money, and accuracy isnt too important, get the dowel centers -- If you think you may do something like this a few times... then get a dowel jig - its more accurate. 1/32" may not mean anything to a construction contractor... but it can mean the difference in scrapping a piece of wood or not, in furniture building. Furniture builders will tell you to buy bradpoint drill bits - they cost just a bit more than centerpoint, usually, but if you have a piece that you do not want to see damaged - quite often the case in the furniture industry - use the more accurate, and smoother cutting bradpoint. (Less tear out too, with a bradpoint)

For a thru-dowel system - where you would actually use a plug, to fill the hole on the exposed surface, then you need a plug/tennon cutter, like this - http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=11409&filter=tennon

Rockler (where all the links are from) is a good business to buy from, if you can find a store near you, or choose to buy online. They are not the only place to find these types of products... many can be found in your local hardware, or building supply store too.

Have Fun

Answer 2

1

Answer 3

WOW! You have 4 choices and opinions; including your own.

I use centerpoint bits; but the issue is more about how sharp the bit is, and the OPERATOR. With no offense to you or others it is wood working, not laser guided drilling for circuit boards.

"Straight/ Plumb/Level; is pretty much up to you. Obviously a hand tool with a bubble level will help. A Drill press will be more accurate; but Wood (BTW the species isn't strictly important) AND pegs; sounds like a "Rustic" look to me; at least I hope it's intended to be.

If in fact it isn't intended to be rustic, and the pegs are intended to be BLIND, then more precision will be a factor.

Just my two cents.

Steven Wolf

Answer 4

I would use a centerpoint drill bit of equal size of the dowel /pegs that you intend to use. Also put some masking tape over the wood where your hole is to be drilled to prevent splintering of exposed wood. makes finishing much easier.

Answer 5

To drill the holes, you want to use a forstner bit. They are highly used in furniture making because the hole drilled will be very straight and smooth. For the pegs, you are best to just buy them at your home store.

Answer 6

If you are planning to start on your woodworking project, this isn't something you should use, it's something that you would be insane not to. Go here https://tr.im/XI6AB
Truth is, I've been a carpenter for almost 36 years, and I haven't found anything like this for less than 10's of thousands of dollars.

Answer 7

a bradpoint bit for the dowell size you want to use will work...you could also counter sink some screws and use wood buttons to cover the holes...lots of ways to go here...