Dowels

Wooden dowel rods are the unsung hero of every home, garage and workshop, although few people recognize this. Commonly used in woodworking, dowels are useful for a myriad of purposes. They come in a variety of diameters and lengths and are usually made from hardwoods such as oak; less commonly, they are made from metal or plastic. While you might immediately think of dowel rods as being round, there are, in fact, square dowels available. If you're interested in undertaking a few projects using these versatile pieces of wood, you'll find that Sears carries a wide selection to ensure that you can find the size you need at a great price.

Even if you're not an experienced woodworker, you can still enjoy the satisfaction that comes from making something with your own hands. Because dowel rods are pre-cut, pre-shaped and pre-sanded, a lot of the work is already done for you. Of course, depending on the project at hand, it may be necessary to cut, sand and stain your finished project, but that's all part of the process of making something. In fact, you may find that once you get started making household items with dowels, you'll find yourself inventing new projects simply because it's so easy to work with them. Are you stuck on project ideas? Let Sears help you with the following suggestions.

If you're looking for a simple project with which to begin, consider a child's wand. Wands are incredibly popular playthings these days, thanks to books and movies featuring Harry Potter. Wands are a good first project, because they are quick to make and require few tools. All you need to do is cut your dowel to size; a length of one foot is generally appropriate, but you could go up to 18 inches for a bigger child. After you sand the ends of the dowel, stain the wand in a color of your preference. Other simple projects to consider include flags, paper towel holders and handmade topiaries.

Once you've gotten your feet wet by completing easy projects using dowels, you will feel confident in undertaking any home and garden repairs that come your way. Dowels can be used for anything from closet rods to dish drying racks to curtain rods; the possibilities are almost limitless. In fact, you'll find that in shopping at Sears, you have a wide variety of wooden dowel rods available at your fingertips. When shopping, consider dowels from brands like Waddell Manufacturing Company and National Manufacturing.