Wood Joints - Dowelled Butt Joint

Another way to hide reinforcement in a butt joint (like the splined miter) is to place dowels between the joining boards. This is probably the strongest butt joint you can make, and still keep the simple look of butt joinery. However, with the added strength comes some added complexity in making this joint.

Getting two boards and two dowels to come together in perfect union obviously requires some accurate drilling to make the holes. You’ll either need a special drilling guide for your portable hand drill or a drill press to make sure everything lines up the way it should.