Timber 'Dowel' Pegs - Advice And Where To Buy?

[EViS]

We are building a garden gazebo. Last weekend we got the 200x200mm posts in the ground and this weekend we will be putting the roof structure in place.

The posts will be connected with 200x100mm timbers running in-between and will act as 'fascias' as well as 'wall plates' for the roof trusses to sit on. We want to fix the 'wall plates' to the uprights with timber dowel pegs (similar to the example in the below photograph).

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• EViS
• 12 Mar 2012
• 1

Where can we easily purchase dowel pegs? Our local timber suppliers don't seem to do them.

And could you offer any advice on fixing timbers with timber pegs? Should we cover the pegs in glue as well as knocking them into drilled holes which are a fraction too small?

 

[Jasonb]

http://www.greenwood-direct.co.uk/default.cfm/loadlevel.3/loadindex.106

The pegs are usually cleft (split) from dryer oak so as the green oak dries and shrinks it will grip the peg. The pegs are also tapered or a little oversize so are a tight fit in the hole and need driving in hard so are unlikely to come out of their own accord and certainly don't need glue.

J

 

[EViS]

http://www.greenwood-direct.co.uk/default.cfm/loadlevel.3/loadindex.106

The pegs are usually cleft (split) from dryer oak so as the green oak dries and shrinks it will grip the peg. The pegs are also tapered or a little oversize so are a tight fit in the hole and need driving in hard so are unlikely to come out of their own accord and certainly don't need glue.

J

Thanks for the reply. The wood is just treated softwood, and not hardwood. Shouldn't make any difference though, should it?

So should the holes be drilled to the same size diameter as the dowels, seeing as they should be slightly larger than advertised and taper?

 

[EViS]

Would this oak dowel (eBay) be the same as those you linked to at Greenwood, but at half the price (for 5 - which is all I need)?

 

[HERTS P&D]

The holes should have been drilled slightly off set, so when the dowel is hammered in it pulls the timber together.

If using softwood posts then then dowels should be glued.

Andy

 

[EViS]

The holes should have been drilled slightly off set, so when the dowel is hammered in it pulls the timber together.

If using softwood posts then then dowels should be glued.

Andy

Gotya .