Ratings & Reviews for General Tools & Instruments Pro Doweling Jig Kit

Over complicated Dowel Jig

This Doweling Jig is to complicated for me. I wanted something simple and easy to use. Granted you name it, this device can do it. It wasn't a match for me, I didn't want to be an engineer every time I try to use it. Don't get me wrong this is a very nice jig but I needed something simple and not over complicated.

Actually over expectation and customer service

Got this some time ago and as another reviewer says, can't understand the bad reviews. Granted, the revolver seemed loose on first try, but tightening the wheel a little more, fixed that issue. Not a professional carpenter so this helped a lot. It takes some practice to learn how to use it at its full potential. I have even drilled holes 3/8x12in long with its assistance. Have used since so much that I worn out the 3/8 hole on the revolver and contacted General for ONLY a revolver replacement (t...

Complete Solution

The kit includes everything needed to join lumber with dowl pins.

Easy to follow instructions.

Instructions are easy to follow, but has enough context to make understandable.

Absolute Trash

Great if you want to drill angled oblong holes. Simply keep tightening the clamp until you get the angle you want; unless you are looking for 90 degrees, in that case you are out of luck. The drill bits will suit you well for aerating your lawn, if your ground isn't a harder clay, I would not suggest trying to drill holes in wood with them. The included dowel pins aren't even consistent in size; which I suppose doesn't matter since the holes aren't either. This isn't even discount disposable too...

Don't waste time or money on this

I thought it would help me with a project. Forget it! It's not well made, flimsy, won't center, it was 3/32 off. After trying for over an hour trying to get it to work on scrap I trashed it. I didn't return it because I think I got a "returned" item. The box was taped and the bags of parts were torn. I don't want anyone else to repeat my experience. Too bad they don't have X's instead of stars to give it a NEGATIVE rating.

Dont waste your money

Just purchased this jig. Absolute waste of money! When I drilled the 3/8 holes, in pine lumber, it wallowed out every hole. I am beyond upset. Thank God I didn't use it on the cherry wood I just planed. Again, don't waste your money. I am going to try and return it.

An incomplete tool.

It is too difficult to align. The marks that you are supposed to use to center it are barely visible on the rod and they do not go far enough for half inch wood. It's just a horrible device to waste wood.

Works good

This item worked real good, good alignment. The only thing that I did not like was the measurement marks are hard to see, would like to see more definition.

Don't waste money

This jig is terrible! Only usable on square or small stock, and with that, the bit will wobble, knocking the turn dial it goes through off the setting. I had the previous version they had and it was great, simple and worked well. It was stolen and I gave this one a chance because the heavy weight I thought was going to be a great product.

Has to be reset after each hole.

With a minimal amount of redesign this tool would be great. However, as you look at the picture of the tool in this promotional advertisement, you can see the fatal flaw. The thumb screw beside the "indexing hole guide" is the reason I could not get dowel holes to be consistently on the center line of the part. After drilling just one hole the guide shifts up or down, as the thumb screw cannot hold the guide from drifting when the drill bit tries to "walk" sideways when drilling "end grain". So ...

Works just okay not nearly as accurate as more expensive jigs. Works in a pinch and easy to use.

It works good enough

If this thing cost 100 dollars, I wouldn't give it 4 stars. It costs about 28.00 and it works pretty good. Read the other reviews to get some pointers on using it. It isn't perfect, but it's less than 30 dollars so that's okay.

Broke BEFORE I used it!

Getting set up I tightened down the screw to lock it in place. The thin threaded sleeve housed inside the plastic broke in half so the screw wouldn't tighten.

Low Quality = Low Accuracy

I bought this jig because I'd lent my biscuit joiner and needed to join some cabinet grade boards together. The instructions were OK. However, when lining up two boards to center the dowel holes, the tool's measurement markings were very difficult to read, so I trusted that it would center the holes correctly. Additionally, the holes in the drill alignment wheel seemed a bit tight for the drill bit supplied. When I finally got the best center I could possibly manage given the dark markings, ...

Problems with the stop collars.

In order to get the right depth the stop collar tightens on the bit not the shaft which makes it uneven and difficult to set. I wouldn't buy this again or recommend it.