Dowel Pointer (2)

These tools at Smith’s Tavern are spoke pointers or dowel pointers; they are made of cast iron.  Spoke pointers were originally used by wheelwrights and blacksmiths to round the end of wooden wheel spokes before using a hollow auger to form elongated, round tenons of specific diameter.  Dowel pointers are smaller versions of the spoke pointers.  The design is simple:  a conical end that accepts spokes or dowels in a range of sizes and an adjustable cutter mounted to the cone that meets the wood at an angle.  A few turns with a brace creates a chamfer, which then would allow the spoke to fit into the opening of a hollow auger for additional stock removal.  More turns of the brace, though, could shave the wood all the way to a point.  Think of pointers like oversized pencil sharpeners.

Reference:  https://www.woodworkersjournal.com/chamfer-large-diameter-dowels/

Catalog Items:

Item T28

Location:	Panel 15
Width:	28 cm
Height:	19 cm
Weight:	395 g

Item T29

Location:	Panel 15
Length:	16 cm
Width:	6 cm
Height:	6 cm
Weight:	317 g