you can drill a nice clean straight hole with just a bit and brace. the
dowell jig will just get in the way.

first, make sure the bit is in good shape. get it clean and sharp, and
make sure it is straight.
start a hole with it in a chunk of scrap wood. when the spur just
completes scoring the circle, stop and carefully measure that circle.
if it's undersize from wear on the outside of the spur you'll have a
hard time controlling the bit.

Did that, I made the hole about 1/16" deep. Upon the two crosswise
measurments, the caliper reads 0.521" width. Old Greenlee steel is
damn nice, already have this bit very sharp, Lee's book, filing then
soft and hard Arkansas mini stones.

now carefully lay out your hole, both the entrance and exit of it. draw
lines on the workpiece thet intersect at the center of the hole. make a
line parallel to the edge of the bench and one perpendicular to it.

now get a buddy with good eyes and steady nerves. as you drill, have
your helper sight the bit against the lines. if you have a surface you
can set a framing square to to compare that against the bit, all the
better. go slow, checking frequently, especially at first. once the bit
is buried an inch or two into the wood you won't be able to steer it
much, so get it straight to start with. make a few practise holes to
get your signals straight.

THANKS! (After two weeks!) I will save your text and do it all when the
time comes. Great to finally get some help. Much appreciated.

--
Alex - newbie_neander in woodworking
cravdraa_at-yahoo_dot-com
not my site: http://www.e-sword.net/