5 Ways How To Remove Wooden Dowels

Using wooden dowels for woodworking projects has been a favorite choice for hundreds of years people used them when nails weren’t a thing. Moreover, it is always a better option if you don’t want to use nails in your furniture and it needs to be covered also, which is a lot of work.

Installing wooden dowels helps you put them closer to the wood. So it’s always a better option to have wood to wood instead of metal to the wood so that the expansion fits just right. But using wood dowels can also create additional problems like How To Remove Wooden Dowels. They can break or get stuck inside which makes it impossible to get that out when you need to fit your furniture.

So if you are also working with wood projects and need to know about the removal projects then keep on reading our 5 ways how to remove wooden dowels explained right down below.

5 Easiest Ways How To Re move Wooden Dowels

Usually, when you find a broken dowel you try to pull it out. But what if that does not work. Then follow our 5 ways how to remove wooden dowels to pull out that broken dowel piece.

Technique 1

For this technique, you’ll need:

Hand saw
Drill
Screw
Wood claw clamp

If you can’t get a grip on the dowel, cut the dowel flush using a saw to get a flat surface. Then drill a hole in the middle and drive in a screw. This will give you enough grip to pull the broken dowel.

Now use a wood claw clamp to pull out the screw. And your broken wood dowel will come right off. Abut what if that doesn’t work then try the next one.

Technique 2

Often in some furniture repairs, you might also come across a loose joint and the dowels might not release. When you get stubborn joints the only way to deal with that is to cut them.

For this technique you’ll need:

A flush-cut saw
A small drill bit
Chisel
Bigger drill bit (same as the dowel)

Dowel Removal Process

Step 1

To remove the old dowel pry the joints apart as much as you can in the first place. This will give some room for the saw. Then use a flush-cut saw to cut that dowel that just won’t release. So when you cut the dowel you will be able to see the stuck part.

Step 2

If you have to cut off a dowel or got a broken down one you can’t pull out; the process of dealing with that is the same. You need to drill out the dowel. The danger of doing that though is you could drill the hole which is called a mortise in the wrong spot or at the wrong angle. And that will prevent that joint from going back together again.

So start will the smallest drill bit right in the middle. And the key is to get this exactly right into the middle of it. When you get to the bottom of the hole you’ll feel a bit of a release so you know you’re there. The process for drilling out a Wooden Dowels is to remove as much of the dowel as possible without drilling the edge of the mortise.

Step 3

Now take a chisel and work around the edge of the dowel to break off the pieces. When you are looking to do is establish a clean mortise near the surface. Once you have the top cleared it’s time for the next step.

Step 4

Now take a new drill bit that’s the same diameter as the mortise and run it backward in the hole. This helps clear out pieces without cutting and potentially changing the direction of the mortise.

Once you’re partway down into the mortise change the drill to the forward direction and drill out the rest of the dowel. Now your mortise is clear and ready for a dowel.

Technique 3

If you have a piece of wobbly furniture that needs to be tightened then you can use this technique. But for this technique to work you need woods plays or caps risen outwards.

So to remove the plague you need two pieces of duck tape joined together for the grip to be stronger. Now put the ducktape around the plug to help protect it. Now smear the duck tape nice and firm.

Now take a screwdriver that has a plastic coating on it and a hammer. Now place the screwdriver on the sides and knock it with a hammer just to break it loose. Now peel off the duck tape with some force and your wood plug will come right off. The knocking might take a few hits.

Technique 4

Now, this technique works best when you apply some kind of wood glue on the dowel before you installed them. As you know that wood glues are used to harden the joint. So when you apply some kind of heat the glue loosens and the joint becomes easier to take off.

For this method take a hot air gun or you can also use a hair drier and apply heat onto the stuck dowel. Be careful not the burn the wood and don’t go too close to the wood. This will lose that glue joint and you will be able to pull the dowel out.

Technique 5

Wood glues are often water-based so that it does not ruin the wood grains. So for this use water on the dowel joint to lose that glue. But if that doesn’t work try with some alcohol but be careful with that. This works in some cases.

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Final Verdict

So if you’ve read all the techniques so far you might have already chosen which technique you want to go with. Let us know which technique is your favorite from our 5 ways how to remove wooden dowels and why.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How Do You Remove Wooden Pegs From Furniture?

Wooden pegs are often used to secure furniture together. Over time, these pegs can become loose, making the furniture unstable. If you have wooden pegs in your furniture, you may be wondering how to remove them.

The first step is to identify the type of wooden peg you have. If the peg is inserted into a hole, it is likely a dowel pin. If the peg is resting on top of the furniture, it is likely a dowel.

Once you have identified the type of peg, you can begin to remove it. For dowel pins, you will need to use a drill to remove the peg. First, drill a pilot hole into the center of the peg. Next, increase the size of the drill bit until it is the same size as the peg. Finally, use the drill to remove the peg from the hole.

For dowels, you will need to use a saw to remove the peg. First, mark the location of the peg with a pencil. Next, use a saw to cut the peg in half. Finally, use a chisel to remove the halves of the peg from the furniture.

Removing wooden pegs from furniture can be a simple process if you have the right tools. With a little bit of effort, you can remove the pegs and make your furniture stable again.

How Do You Remove A Stuck Dowel Pin?

Dowel pins are often used to join two pieces of wood together. However, over time the pin can become stuck and difficult to remove. If you find yourself in this situation, there are a few things you can do to remove the pin.

First, try using a hammer to gently tap the pin out. If this doesn’t work, you can try using a small drill bit to make a hole in the pin. Once you have a hole, you can use a screwdriver or other tool to remove the pin.

If the pin is still stuck, you may need to use a saw to cut through it. Be careful not to damage the surrounding wood when doing this. Once the pin is cut, you should be able to remove it easily.

If you’re having trouble removing a stuck dowel pin, there are a few things you can try. With a little patience and some effort, you should be able to get the pin out.

How Do You Remove Glued Dowels?

Dowels are often used to join two pieces of wood together. However, over time the glue that holds the dowels in place can become loose, making the joint weaker. If you need to remove glued dowels, there are a few things you can do to make the process easier.

First, try using a putty knife to pry the dowels out. If the dowels are still firmly glued in place, you can try using a heat gun to soften the glue. Start by heating the area around the dowel for a few seconds, then try to pry the dowel out with the putty knife.

If the dowels are still not budging, you can try using a chisel to break them free. First, score the joint with the chisel to create a weak spot. Then, tap the chisel with a hammer to break the dowel free.

Once the dowels are removed, you can clean up the area with sandpaper or a file. If the holes left behind by the dowels are too large, you can fill them with wood filler before re-gluing the joint.

How To Remove Dowel Screws

Dowel screws are one of the most common types of screws used in woodworking. They are also one of the most difficult to remove, especially if they are old or worn.

Here are some tips on how to remove dowel screws:

Use a drill bit that is slightly smaller than the screw. This will help to loosen the screw without damaging the surrounding wood.
Use a screwdriver to loosen the screw. Insert the tip of the screwdriver into the head of the screw and turn it counterclockwise.
Use a pair of pliers to remove the screw. Grasp the head of the screw with the pliers and turn it counterclockwise.
If the screw is still difficult to remove, try heating the head of the screw with a soldering iron. This will help to loosen the metal and make it easier to remove.
If all else fails, you may need to use a chisel to remove the dowel screw. Insert the chisel into the head of the screw and tap it with a hammer. This will loosen the screw so that you can remove it.

How To Remove A Broken Dowel

If you have a broken dowel that needs to be removed, there are a few tools that you will need to remove it. First, you will need a drill. Second, you will need a dowel removal tool.

To remove a broken dowel, first drill a hole in the center of the dowel. Next, insert the dowel removal tool into the hole and twist it to remove the dowel.