{{Short description|Dowelling jig}}
thumb|300px|right|The Dowelmax Jig with distance gauge bar The '''Dowelmax''' is a loose tenon dowelling jig manufactured by the O.M.S. Tool company in Canada. The manufacturer claims that the small manufacturing tolerances of {{convert|0.026|mm|in}} for the aluminium, brass and steel components of the jig ensure accuracy and repeatability, but the precision manufacturing adds to the unit's cost.
The tool allows the placement of five dowels in one pass. A distance gauge bar provided with the jig allows accurate spacing between sets of dowels.
==Joint strength== Tests by both the manufacturer,<ref name="dmtest">{{Cite web|url=http://www.dowelmax.com/jointstrength.html|title=Destructive Tests Comparing Biscuit Joints, Mortise and Tenon Joints, and Multiple Dowel Joints made with Dowelmax|accessdate=2008-08-01|publisher=O.M.S Tool Company}}</ref> and ''Wood'' magazine (in 2007),<ref name="woodmag">{{Cite web|url=http://www.woodstore.net/is17ju201.html|title=What's what in loose-tenon tools|accessdate=2008-08-01|magazine=Wood|date=2007-07-01|issue=177}}</ref> claim to show that dowel joints made with the Dowelmax are stronger than most other woodworking joints tested. In addition, a 2011 review<ref name="dmtest2011">{{Cite web|url=http://toolreviews.woodmagazine.com/power-tools/joinery-tools-jigs/doweling-mortising-jigs/discussions/review?id=102|title=Review-A-Tool Dowelmax Doweling Jig|accessdate=2014-10-07|magazine=Wood|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141010212457/http://toolreviews.woodmagazine.com/power-tools/joinery-tools-jigs/doweling-mortising-jigs/discussions/review?id=102|archive-date=2014-10-10|url-status=dead}}</ref> by ''Wood'' magazine rated Dowelmax as a superior dowel joinery tool, describing Dowelmax as "the best dowelling jig ever made".
===Independent test=== {{col-begin|width=auto}} {{col-break}} {| class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%" |+ Shear Test |- | style="padding-right:20px;" |Mortise and tenon || {{convert|1017|psi|kPa|abbr=on}} |- | style="background-color:#fae8b7;"| Dowelmax || {{convert|609|psi|kPa|abbr=on}} |- | Beadlock<ref>The Beadlock is a loose tenon joinery system made by Rockler Companies, Inc.[http://www.beadlock.com/]</ref> || {{convert|541|psi|kPa|abbr=on}} |- | Domino || {{convert|464|psi|kPa|abbr=on}} |- | Biscuits || {{convert|187|psi|kPa|abbr=on}} |} {{col-break|gap=1em}} {| class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%" |+ Pull-apart Test |- | style="padding-right:20px;" |Mortise and tenon || {{convert|2525|psi|kPa|abbr=on}} |- | style="background-color:#fae8b7;"| Dowelmax || {{convert|1866|psi|kPa|abbr=on}} |- | Domino || {{convert|1486|psi|kPa|abbr=on}} |- | Beadlock || {{convert|1170|psi|kPa|abbr=on}} |- | Biscuits || {{convert|766|psi|kPa|abbr=on}} |} {{col-end}} ===Hydraulic comparison strength testing by manufacturer=== {| class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%" |+ Shear Test |- |style="background-color:#fae8b7; padding-right:20px"|Multiple Dowel (Dowelmax) || {{convert|890|psi|kPa|abbr=on}} |- |Routed Mortise & Tenon || {{convert|680|psi|kPa|abbr=on}} |- |Double Domino || {{convert|540|psi|kPa|abbr=on}} |- |Square Mortise & Tenon || {{convert|480|psi|kPa|abbr=on}} |- |Pocket Hole (5 Screws) || {{convert|420|psi|kPa|abbr=on}} |- |#20 Biscuit || {{convert|285|psi|kPa|abbr=on}} |}
==References== {{reflist}}
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{{Woodworking}}
Category:Woodworking hand tools Category:Woodworking Category:Joinery