11 Uses for Wooden Dowels
Wooden dowels too often seem like one of those things that stacks up around the house or workshop -- you buy some for a project, you use what you need, and then you have leftovers that have no discernible uses. Suddenly, you look down one day to discover that they've taken over an entire corner, and
Posted — UpdatedWooden dowels too often seem like one of those things that stacks up around the house or workshop -- you buy some for a project, you use what you need, and then you have leftovers that have no discernible uses. Suddenly, you look down one day to discover that they've taken over an entire corner, and they sit mournfully covered in dust waiting for you to come up with something to do with them.
While it might be tempting to toss them on the scrap pile and have done with it, wooden dowels are actually tremendously useful, and they might be more versatile than you realize.
Attach a dowel to a wooden disc or piece of scrap wood, and you have a handy dispenser and organizer for spools of twine and similar materials. (You can also use a similar basic design to make a drop spindle, if you're interested in spinning your own fibers.)
Dowels are great for weighting the bottom of textiles, often fitting neatly into a bottom hem without the need for modifications. They'll help keep the textile from drifting in breezes, and they'll keep it stable.
Ribbons, wrapping paper, and similar items tend to like to unfurl and create a huge mess. You can create a ribbon rack with dowels attached to a backing board, and wrap leftover wrapping paper around dowels to create a tight cylinder (use removable tape to hold the paper down) so your paper doesn't go wild when you're not using it.
Dowels, as we know, are round (that's sort of a key component of their purpose in life), and you can use that to your advantage. Press down on contact paper and other materials you're trying to roll out flat and even with a dowel -- you can also use one as a rolling pin in a pinch (go for a thick dowel, and rub it with mineral oil before you start).
Dowels can be used as organizing pegs in the wall for hanging tools, equipment, and supplies. They'll help you keep the workship in good working order so you can find things when you need them.
You can use stout dowels as the braces for a new shelf in a bookcase, and you can also use them to create added support for a heavy shelf (such as one laden with dictionaries). Cut them to the right height and anchor them in the structure of the bookcase so your shelves don't sag in the middle.
Have a broom or tool with a handle that's going the way of the dodo? If the tool on the end is still in good shape, detach the worn handle and replace it with a dowel of appropriate thickness. Much less expensive than buying a new tool handle!
Ever wondered how towering layer cakes stand up? Dowels, my friend. Inserted into the body of the cake, they provide hidden support for the layers to ensure the cake remains stable until it's eaten. Make sure to use clean, new dowels for this, in the interest of health and safety.