What is a dowel fixing?

A dowel is a timber fastening. A simple but effective fixing method that has been used for centuries.  

Dowel is used to join. In the case of door handles, we may use dowel as a concealed fixing method.

Typically, this would be for long handles such as the Lineal, Bodo or half rounds such as a half moon handle. Installing with dowels means that no fittings will be seen, i.e. the fixing is fully concealed. 

These instructions are suited to:

Any of the following handles requiring a dowel concealed fixing:

• Any square or rectangular handle
• Half-round handles
• Any quarter-round handles 

Fix single side

NB: It is highly recommended you apply the finish of your choice to the handles prior to installation.
 

a) Locate and mark the position you want to install the handles on the door face
 

b) Measure the *centre to centre (CTC) distance of the fixing holes at the rear of the handle. Mark the door face accordingly.
    *The CTC distance is taken from the centre of one hole to the centre of the other. Example below.

c) Drill *two holes in the door to suit the diameter and depth of the dowel supplied. E.g. for a 12mm dowel, drill a 13mm hole.  
     *If your handles have 3 fixings, drill 3 holes
 

c) Place a dob of *wood glue in each hole at the rear of the handle. Insert a dowel into each hole, wiping away any excess glue. 
    *Gorilla glue is suitable and readily available at hardware stores

d) Place a dob of glue into the predrilled door holes
 

e) Holding the face of the handle, align the dowels with the door holes, insert & fix. Wipe away any excess glue.
 

f) Clamp the handle securely to the door until the glue *sets, taking care not to scratch the face
   *Check the glue instructions for drying time  
 

Fix back to back (One handle on either side of the door)

a) Follow all the steps above, up to and including b). Then follow below.
 

b) Drill *two holes through the door to suit the diameter of the dowel supplied. For example, for a 12mm drill a 13mm hole. 
     *If your handles have 3 fixings, drill 3 holes
 

c) Place a dob of wood glue in each hole at the rear of each handle.
 

d) Insert a dowel fully into each hole of one handle only, wiping away any excess glue. 
 

e) Holding the face of this handle, align the dowels with the door holes and insert. Clamp temporality to hold in place if needed. 

f) Attach the remaining handle to the dowels from the other side of the door. 
 

g) Clamp the handle securely to the door until the glue *sets, taking care not to scratch the face.

NB: Exterior handles require a quality exterior finish on all surfaces including the entire rear surface to protect from water damage.
 

Now take a photo and send it to us for the Brag board!