Jim Lindsay, Author at Dowelmax

We believe in free enterprise and fair competition. However recent events compel us to issue a note of caution related to copies of our products and accessories. Recently we were advised by a client that a crude “knock off” had been manufactured in China and was listed for sale on the internet. We did some research and determined that the crude copy is also being advertised using our trademarked Dowelmax brand name.

The invention in essence is reversibility, and to create a mirror image of bores on both work pieces. It follows therefore that an error of say, 5 thousands of an inch exists on a part, that error doubles to 10 thousands when the tool is reversed to complete the second work piece. With dowel systems fine tolerances are essential, or the parts will not mesh. The Dowelmax Classic kit comprises 36 machined components. The number of machined surfaces requiring a tolerance of plus or minus 1 thousand of an inch (+/- .001″) is 63 in total. The number of machined surfaces with a tolerance of plus or minus 5 thousands of an inch (+/- .005″) is 75 in total. These tolerances are difficult, time consuming and expensive to maintain!

The Dowelmax knockoff manufactured in China is cheap, and this raises a red flag. To reduce costs, corners have to be cut, not only in manufacturing but in subcontracted work and supplies.

The brass and aluminum in our system is top quality. Fine tolerances are maintained throughout. The drill guides are case hardened to 40 Rockwell. The drill supplied with the kit, is absolutely first class. Anything less is unacceptable.

Correcting or replacing components, and in particular drill guides can be expensive. We pride ourselves on our customer service and look after our clients. When you consider the devious nature of this offshore company, and what they have done, what result would you expect if you have a problem, wished to return a purchase, or issue a claim for a prematurely worn component?

How many times have you heard the sage advice from your father or grandfather: “Don’t buy cheap tools, buy the best”

Sincerely Jim Lindsay.

O.M.S. TOOL COMPANY LTD. 1 877 986 9400

Re. Further Proof of the Consequences of Perfidious Chinese Knock-offs

Dear Jim,

In the course of making window trim I needed a 1/4″ spacer to center my dowel holes in an upper rail assembly, consisting of a center block and two arms, the center block to be flush with the reverse face of the arms, thus causing the arms to reveal to the block. All this out of White oak.

Looking among my Dowelmax spacers, I found I had a 1/8″ and a 1/16″ spacer and British Columbia is too far for an afternoon drive. Looking around the shop I found I had some light steel sheet stock from Home Depot, luckily 1/32″ thickness. Using your spacer as a template I marked off and cut 4 @ 1/32 spacers, and set up a sandwich of spacers aggregating 1/4″ in my DowelMax Classic fixture.

Surprise, surprise! When compressed sufficiently, the sheet stock’s variations in thickness add up to enough error to cant the vice block a bit — causing the inserted dowels to point off toward Fort Mudge instead of at a true 90 degrees to the joint surface. I’ve just ordered two of your 1/8″ spacers and am now about to pick up enough 3/8″ dowel rod to attempt to rework the joint.

Whether made in China or by an old man in Texas, imprecise components cost more in wasted time and material than they ever save. Mea culpa.

Yours aye,

Bill