Making dowel rods

Wickerdave said:

I want to make my own hardwood dowels for accent on the sides of my cutting boards. I have watched two YOUTUBE videos on how to make them on a router table. Looks simple, But evidently not for a "not too experienced woodworker" like myself. HELP could some one lay it out for me please, I want to make 3/4" dowels. What size round over bit do I use. what size piece of wood to start with 3/4 x3/4, 1 1/2 x 1 1/2 ?? how to I set up the router bit in the table. I thought it would be flush base and flush roller to fence but something just isn't working right. what am I doing wrong?

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You can go a couple of ways,
1. With a 3/8' quarter round bit with a ball bearing guide.
2. a 3/4" half round bit with no guide bearing.
I do mine on the router table.
First cut some pieces on the table saw about 6" longer than you need,and exactly 3/4"X3/4", Plus an extra piece
Set up the router bit so the 1/4 round bearing is flush with the fence,and the cutter is flush with the table.
Start your cuts 3" or so from the end making sure you cut the length you want and stop the cut 3' from the other end.
To do this bring the right hand end in touching the fence and hold it tight and swing the LH end of piece into the cutter, then feed into cutter until you reach the length you want. stop and pull away. do that on all 4 sides. the square left over ends assure you of not cutting a lopsided round.
If you use a half round cutter, then set the cutter so the center of the cutter is flush with the fence and the bottom of cutter is flush with the table.
Cut the same way as the previous ones.
Then trim off the square scrap pieces from both ends, you may have to do a little sanding.
Herb