Introduction: 3D Printed Doweling Jig With Attachments

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About: I am a civil engineer with many hobbies.

I made this jig with this specific size, because I needed it for a certain project. It appeared to work very well, so I made few attachments, which allow me to use the jig for more various works and connections.
I wish you would like it too. :)

Step 1: Conception and Design

Normally, metal plain bearings are used in the jigs to guide the drill bit, but i had bearings 608ZZ, which actually turned out to be the perfect solution for the 8mm drill bit I`m using.

See the comments about the design on a drawing in the PDF file.

Download Jig .stl files hire

Attachments

Step 2: Materials and Equipment

  • 6pc. 608ZZ Bearing 8x22x7mm

  • 3 pc. internal retaining ring d = 22 mm

  • wet and dry sanding paper P800 (local shop)

  • pieces of glass or another flat and smooth surface (10x20 cm minimum)

  • internal retaining ring pliers (optional)
  • screwdriver
  • different types of screws М3
  • ruler
  • caliper (optional)

  • 3D printer

Step 3: Printing

Anet A8 (based on Prusa I3)

Print settings

The main body

  • Material - PLA
  • Nozzle - 0.4mm
  • layer height - 0.2mm
  • Infill density - 40%
  • Wall thickness - 0.8mm
  • Plate adhesion type - Brim
  • Horizontal expansion setting (It depends on the printer). Be careful with this setting: if you increase the value too much, you will have a problem with puting a bearing inside, and If you use a negativ value the outside dimensions of the body won`t be correct.

Attachment Plate

  • Material - PLA
  • Nozzle - 0.4mm
  • layer height - 0.2mm
  • Infill density - 20%
  • Wall thickness - 0.8mm
  • Plate adhesion type - Brim

Attachment all in blue

  • Material - PLA
  • Nozzle - 0.4mm
  • layer height - 0.2mm
  • Infill density - 100%
  • Wall thickness- 0.8mm
  • Plate adhesion type - Brim

Step 4: Sanding and Refinement

  • Check all dimensions
  • All surfaces must be straight and flat
  • Use the wet dry sandpaper, if necessary, to smooth al surfaces (wet the sandpaper well)
  • Check all dimensions again

Step 5: Assembling

For assembling the jig please follow the pictures, showing every stage and read the comments for more information.

Step 6: Attachments

Different attachments can be used to the main body depending on the operation you want to do (comments on the pictures).

Step 7: It`s Drilling Time

I used the jig to construct furniture and it helped me a lot to drill the needed holes (perpendicular, 450 and other angles) very precisely. Depending on the works and the drilling angles, you can make different attachments to the main body. Follow the pictures for all stages of my work.