On Sun, 25 Sep 2005 18:03:59 GMT, igor wrote:

I want to cut a 1/8" deep, 3/4" wide (long) groove around a 3/4" dowel. I
have a TS and a BS, as well as a basic set of chisels, but not a lathe. I
am looking for advice for an effective AND safe way to do this. TIA. --

Drill a hole in a large square block of wood to fit the dowel.
Insert, and use the wood block as the guide against the miter guage to
run it over the raised [just enough] table saw blade so as to take a
cut out of both. You'll need a block on the table as a guide if the
cut is well along the dowel. Otherwise drill the hole just deep
enough. Rotate the dowel in the hole as you are cutting. not the
best, but relatively safe and will do the job. Measure on the outside
of the dowel to move in and out to cover the 3/4" width.

You might have ot experiment with the first cut, raising the blade
slowly after checking each cut to get the right depth.

When finished, count your fingers and get a lathe.

Alternative... do you have a router/table?