Dowelling - where can I get some

[Alf]

If the dowel plate was a lot thicker would it increase the chances of getting a straight dowel?

It does seem to help having the plate fixed to a block with the corresponding holes bored through to support the dowel. I think the fundamental problem is dowel plates really aren't the best tool to make anything but short lengths for use in dowel joints or as pegs - I'm a bit surprised Thomas should be trying to persuade anyone otherwise to be honest. Somewhere I came across the notion that a dowel plate could be used to size tenons for chairmaking too, and I don't see how that'd work satisfactorily either. A tool in search of more versatility to justify the cost...? :?

Cheers, Alf