How can I safely cut a split in a 1/2" or less dowel which will be left attached on one end? I have a tablesaw and a bandsaw.
I would think that the safest way to do it would be ripping it on the bandsaw.
Depending on how long the piece of dowel rod is, you could drill a hole in a block of scrap (the diameter of the dowel), stick the end of the dowel rod into the hole and use it as a carrier for splitting the dowel as you rip it on the bandsaw. (I would use a fence of some sort on the bandsaw set to the middle of dowel from the blade.)
HTH
Wayne
(PS. I just finished shortening some 3/8" x 1 1/2" dowels on the bandsaw this afternoon. Had to knock off about 1/4" on each of 25 dowels. Took about 5 minutes on the bandsaw.)
These dowels are anywhere from 6 to 18 inches, I am concerned about the drift on the bandsaw.