To mark the center of a dowel end, make a small jig with dowel-sized recesses and a hole for a pointed dowel center. Seat the point in the jig, fit the dowel end into its matching recess, then press or gently tap the dowel to leave a center dimple.
How the dowel-marking jig works
The jig registers the dowel end in a recess while a metal dowel center transfers its point to the middle. This is a shop-made guide for marking dowel ends—not a commercial self-centering jig for drilling holes in board edges. WOOD Magazine published the method in “Simple Jig Marks Dowel Centers,” updated May 6, 2025.
Make and use the jig
- Choose the stock. Use a piece of stock 3/4 inch thick.
- Make the recesses. With Forstner bits, drill recesses 3/8 inch deep, each sized to the diameter of the dowel it will accept.
- Drill the center-point holes. At the center dimple left by each Forstner bit, drill a centered 1/4-inch hole through the jig.
- Set the point. Insert a 1/4-inch dowel center into the hole with its point facing up.
- Mark the dowel. Seat the dowel end in the matching recess and press it into the jig, or tap it with a mallet. The point leaves a dimple at the center of the dowel end.
Choose a recess that fits your dowel
Each recess should match the dowel diameter it is meant to locate. The instructions specify the recess depth and center-point hole size, but do not give a complete dowel-size range or a fit tolerance. They also do not establish that a 1/4-inch dowel center works with every possible recess and dowel combination. Check that the dowel seats securely and that the point is centered before marking pieces for a project.
WOOD Magazine names a 1/4-inch dowel-center eight-pack as a source, but current stock and price are not established. The relevant product type is also sold as “dowel marking points”; for example, Wolfcraft has a manufacturer page for dowel marking points.
#1 Best Overall
- Internal and External Points for marking exact drill location
- Hollowed Centers Make transfer of one dowel hole to the next simple
- Zinc plated, steel contruction
- Included components: (2) 1/2" Dowel/Tenon Centers
When a self-centering doweling jig is the better tool
If the job is to drill aligned dowel holes into board edges, use a board-edge doweling jig rather than the end-marking jig above. Harbor Freight describes its Self-Centering Doweling Jig, SKU 41345, as a tool for that separate task. Its current listing gives bushings from 1/4 to 1/2 inch and identifies the item as in-store only and a clearance item on the accessed page; availability can change.
The Harbor Freight manual describes this workflow for butt, miter, and edge joints:
Rank #2
- 20PCS Dowel Pins, Stainless Steel Dowel Pin Centers Drilling Hole Tool Set, Dowel Centering Pins with Sharp Point for Woodworking Tools, Solid Dowel and Tenon Center Transfer Plugs (5 Sizes of 1/4" 3/8" 5/16" 7/16" 1/2") by MinliGUY
- [Precise & Accurately Marking]With a proper tolerance, keeps accuracy and makes the dowel centers set simpler to accurately mark surfaces and line up dowel transfer and hole locations, etc
- [Made of Premium Stainless Steel]MinliGUY dowel and tenon center transfer plugs are made of stainless steel for long usage. Anti-rust, durable for woodworking centering
- [Coming in 4-Set with a Storage Box]20PCS dowel and tenon centers of 4 Set*5 Size (1/4, 3/8, 5/16, 7/16, 1/2inch) for woodworking tools
- [For Most Dowel Work ] These dowel pins are a practical joinery accessory for all-level woodworkers or amateurs. Location pointers are widely used when building or repairing wood furniture
- Align the boards and mark the dowel locations.
- Clamp the jig over a board edge.
- Align the mark with the selected diameter.
- Drill through the appropriate bushing.
Wear ANSI-approved safety goggles. The Harbor Freight operating instructions also advise using a full face shield when producing wood chips. Compare a board-edge jig with the marking jig by the job it performs, dowel or bushing diameter, stock capacity, clamping and setup, and whether drill bits or bushings are included. Harbor Freight’s older manual describes a different bushing set from its current listing, so use the current product page for listing specifications.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 【Aircraft Grade Aluminium Alloy and Laser Engraving】The overall body is made from aircraft grade aluminium alloy and the dimensional scales are laser etched for high quality and accurate positioning.
- 【Ease Of Use】Supports up to 2.4", suitable for most boards and round woods when combined with a power drill, the drill sleeve is made from high quality materials for strength and accurate positioning.
- 【Multiple Applications】5 standard SAE drill sizes, namely 1/4", 3/8", 5/16", 7/16" and 1/2"; allows you to easily apply it to mortise and tenon joints, build furniture and repair tables, making it the ideal tool for planking.
- 【What You Will Get】A self-centring jig, an instruction manual, supplied with six hardened steel bushings; two each of 1/4-inch, 5/16-inch and 3/8-inch
- 【BLEKOO SERVICE】If you find any problems when you use them, feel free to contact us. We would try our best to assist you and ensure your satisfaction.
Rank #4
- ✔Premium Material: Doweling Centering Pins are made of steel with chromed finish, high hardness, wear-resistant, can be used for a long time.
- ✔Product Content: 24 x Tenon Center Transfer Plugs, includes four sizes, each size contains 6 pieces: 1/4", 5/16", 3/8", 1/2". The quantity is enough to meet the needs of your woodworking project.
- ✔Easy to Use: Just drill a group of holes on the board, and then put a locating pin in the hole. Finally, press the board with the locating pin together with the board to be spliced. The pin on the center of the locating pin will accurately mark the position of the hole on the other side.
- ✔Wide Application: It is applicable to the installation and positioning of cabinets, tables and chairs, bookshelves and other wood boards required for woodworking.
- ✔100per Risk-Free Shopping: We offer a 30-day return and replacement service. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us, we will try our best to help you, thank you very much for your support!
Rank #3
- [Precise & Easy to Remove] With a proper tolerance, keeps accuracy and makes pins simpler to remove.
- [True Imperial & w/ Storage Box] 10 Dowel locator points of 2*5 Size (1/4, 3/8, 5/16, 7/16, 1/2inch).
- [Sharp Point & Quick to Line-up Dowel Holes]Easy to transfer, made of stainless steel for long usage .
- [Must-have to Toolkit]Speed up to align dowels accurately for woodworker, also practical for DIYers.
- [For Most Dowel Work] Location pointers are widely used when building or repairing wood furniture
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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