Pull it out with a pair of pliers usually works for me.
From the marks on the dowel I assume he tried that already. First and most important, was it glued in place? If so you need to disolve the glue first, which you might be able to do with some alcohol by dripping a little in the hole around the edges. If its not glued, your biggest problem is getting it out without damaging the dowel, which may not be possible. try putting something like a face cloth or something else between the the dowel and pliers to decrease damage to the dowel and see if you can move it. If not, you are probably going to have to live with crushing somewhat the part of the dowel that is visible with the pliers. You might still be able to use it afterwards, but at worst, you might have to replace the dowel if it is critical to putting the item together. Sometimes you get a couple extra. You can buy dowels at the store in common sizes. Home Depot/Lowes/Hardware Stores and even craft stores are places that you might check.
Those are glue channels in the dowel itself. If pliers can’t budge it, or if it’s been glued in, the you saw it off flush and drill it out, using a bit smaller than the dowel. Once you have the hole drilled the outer walls of the dowel will collapse and you just pick it out with a small probe.
Duane Collie
Straight answers from thirty-six years in the business.
My Private Messages are Disabled - Please ask questions here in the forum.
Thank you for the advice, my friends.
Yes...I tried with pliers at first and stopped once I saw I was about to pinch off the top of the dowel.
It's not glued in... simply pushed in with my hands. So I at least have that in my favor.
I will try my luck again this weekend.
Cheers.
No glue, it will come right out. Pliers or vice grips, give a good twist as you pull. Grab it in the middle not at the top
Duane Collie
Straight answers from thirty-six years in the business.
My Private Messages are Disabled - Please ask questions here in the forum.