Dowel pins are used in many applications, from carpentry to mechanics. These pins, which are the most common type of pins used, join two pieces together, whether it's machine parts or pieces of wooden furniture. If you're a carpenter, furniture maker, engineer, mechanic or even mason, you'll likely use dowel pins frequently.

Whether you're using plastic dowel pins, stainless dowel pins, wooden dowel pins or aluminum dowel pins, you can get the most out of these small but important parts when you know as much as you can about them. From dowel pin sizes to the tools used in the manufacture and insertion of dowel pins, you'll be sure to know exactly what you need when you review these dowel pins basics:

1. Look over the types of dowel pins available.
2. Learn about the size ranges of dowel pins, in both metric and standard measurements.
3. Become familiar with tools and accessories associated with dowel pins.
   

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Choose from a wide inventory of different styles of wooden and steel dowel pins

From wooden spiral dowel pins to aluminum dowel pins, you'll find a wide array of styles and materials used in the construction of dowel pins. For instance, wooden dowel pins can be multi-grooved, spiral, smooth or fluted. Other dowel pins are used for specific applications, such as a cummins dowel pin for use in a cummins engine.

I recommend: Nordex has many types of stainless and carbon steel dowel pins for use in industrial and mechanical applications. Learn about many styles of wood dowel pins, from grooved to fluted, at Bear Woods Supply Co. Find industrial dowel pins such as oversized, military and pull out dowel pins, at G.L. Huyett.

Familiarize yourself with the long and short of dowel pins

Dowel pins come in a wide assortment of sizes, both in diameter and length. Whether you need a standard dowel pin or a metric dowel pin, you can choose from as small as 5mm and up to several inches in length in both wooden and steel configurations.

I recommend: Learn about wooden dowel pins 1/4-inch and 5/16-inch in diameter and up to three inches in length at The Widget Mfg. Co. California Dowel & Turnings has a wide inventory of metric wood dowels, from 10mm up to 127mm in length. Review a list of stainless steel dowel pins of various lengths and up to 3/8-inch in diameter at Dowels, Pins & Shafts.

Learn about the tools of the trade for dowel pins

From a doweling jig that centers dowel pin holes to a dowel pin press used to insert dowel pins, there are specialized tools available for use with dowel pins. If you're in the carpentry or machining business and need to create your own dowel pin holes, or if you're a machinist or mechanic who needs to remove dowel pins, then these tools are a must for you.

I recommend: Learn about doweling jigs and dowel pin centers for marking dowel pin locations at Professional Hardware & Supply. Get more information about a tool used for pulling out dowel pins from many engine parts at etoolcart.com.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Some dowel pin manufacturers can supply custom dowel pins to meet your specific needs.
• •  Refer to a dowel pin tolerance chart to ensure proper fitting between the diameter and length of the dowel pin and the slip fit hole and hole depth.
• •  Pre-glued dowel pins can offer a stronger joint than standard dowel pins.

Dowel pins are simple but effective tools used in a wide variety of industries. They come in many shapes, sizes and materials, but their purpose is always essentially the same: connecting separate objects for a precise alignment. If your business is in carpentry, whether furniture or heavier construction projects, or in machine and metal works, you can benefit from the use of dowel pins.

Pins can provide a precision to certain connections not afforded by other fasteners. In a business like yours, where exact measurements are required and there is no room for "close enough," implementing metric dowel pin products can be a huge advantage. Gain the accuracy your projects require by looking into your options for:

1. Wooden dowel pins for furniture-making

2. Steel, alloy and aluminum dowel pins for machine parts

3. Industrial pins for various construction jobs.

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Supply your business with wooden dowel pins for furniture and other carpentry projects

Dowel pins are used heavily in furniture making because they attach pieces together without being visible. Instead of unsightly bolts, screws and nails, use dowel pins to give your craftsmanship a solid and sturdy build without compromising the look of your projects. These products can improve the quality of your results and benefit your business.

I recommend: Widget and Chicago Dowel are two of your choices for getting dowel pins; you can also check out Rockler for spiral dowel pins.

Get alloy and steel dowel pins for precision machining requirements

For precision machinery, with its moving parts, exacting requirements and intricate fittings, dowel pins are often a necessity. If your business is in the manufacturing or construction of specialized machining equipment, having a metric dowel pin supply is not only helpful but almost essential. Consider your options for the types of metal, bases for measurement and shape characteristics and keep your products working precisely.

I recommend: See the variety of alloy and steel dowel pins available to you from Grainger, Jergens, Radax and G.L. Huyett.

Keep your contracting business stocked with industrial pins for all projects

Dowel pin tolerance isn't limited to small jobs. Heavy carpentry, masonry and other construction projects can benefit from the use of dowel pins. If you're in a contracting business, you can give yourself more choices for building by incorporating these into your supply line. Whether it's interior carpentry or exterior stonework, dowel pins often provide you a better option for building.

I recommend: Look into your options for larger dowel pin sizes for heavier construction at Fastenal or McFeely's.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Streamline your work processes by considering a dowel pin press. A dowel pin press uses pressure to securely insert dowel pins into their receptacles, meaning you don't have to worry about hammering them in. Keep in mind your dowel pin tolerance; depending on the material, presses can be too strong or weak to do the job properly.

Whether you are using plastic dowel pins, stainless dowel pins, spiral dowel pins, wooden dowel pins, aluminum dowel pins or any other dowel pins, familiarize yourself with each style and sizes strengths and weaknesses.

Dowel pins act as a fastening device so they can work for your business to keep your machine components in accurate alignment. You can also use them as location guide for machine parts. They can also be used to keep the two sections of your punch and die equipment in alignment as you are working.

To find out more about dowel pins education and training:

1. Find out about pre-glued dowel pins and dowel pin join strength.

2. Learn about different dowel pin sizes and styles.

3. Use other training tools for dowel pins.

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Learn about using pre-glued dowel pins and dowel pin joint strength

Some of the many topics available surrounding dowel pins include dowel strength and how to use pre-glued dowel pins. Take advantage of tutorial and reference articles to build your base knowledge on the topic for both your sake and that of your customers.

I recommend: Find out how to use pre-glued dowel pins from Excel Dowel. Learn the different insertion techniques if you are inserting via automatic insertion equipment versus by hand. Find out about dowel pin joints strength from Gene Wengert, "The Wood Doctor."

Discover steel dowel pins and other dowel pin styles

Find out what to look for when choosing between styles of dowel pins. You have many sizes and materials to choose from, so comparing what is available and what is suitable for your project or business will help you make the right decision.

I recommend: Learn the basics of metric dowel pin from California Dowel and Turnings. Learn about sizing and pricing. Find out about metric versus standard dowels, and learn about the features of metric pins as well as frequently asked questions. Freeman's Dowel Guides are helpful for the proper installation of dowels and bushings, choosing your dowel style, creating the hole as well as installing the dowel pin and bushing.

Take advantage of other dowel pins education and training teaching tools

Don't miss out on other teaching tools available for dowel pins. Find out about dowel pin tolerance and dowel pin etiquette to name a few topics.

I recommend: Learn about dowel pin tolerance from Engineers Edge. You can also read up on Dowel Pin Etiquette from Road Star Clinic. The article discusses keeping track of your dowel pins as you are removing them.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Use dowel pin tolerance guides to help you determine if your dowel pin press is too strong or too weak for a job. Your dowel pin press can help simplify and streamline your work process by securely inserting your dowel pins without you having to hammer them in.

Dowel pins can be made from a variety of materials. There can be aluminum dowel pins, wooden dowel pins, spiral dowel pins, stainless dowel pins and plastic dowel pins. They can be hardened dowel pins, industrial dowel pins or a Cummins dowel pins or can be metric dowel pin or a standard dowel pin.

The dowel pins are very useful and are well suited for various applications. Below, you will find information about dowel pins pricing and costs. This information can help you purchase dowel pins for your company.

1. Begin with wooden dowel pins.

2. Learn about plastic dowel pins.

3. Check out industrial pins.

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Explore wooden dowel pins

Wooden dowel pins come in various sizes and configurations. The dowel pins can be smooth or be spiral dowel pins with threads like screws. The dowel pins can also come in the standard sizes or metric. The dowel pin tolerance varies as well: for the smooth or spiral dowel pins can be +/- .003', and the dowel pins with multiple grooves can be +/- .005'.

I recommend: Chicago Dowel has a variety of wooden dowels. Many of their dowel pins in various sizes and configurations (spiral, smooth, and others) are available at close-out prices with minimum invoices of $75.00. Bearwood is another source of dowel pins. Their prices range from under $2.00 for 1 to 2 bags of 100 to just under $50.00 for 50 plus bags of 100 dowel pins.

Explore plastic dowel pins

Plastic dowel pins are very strong and are actually stronger than wooden dowel pins. They can be made from various materials such as nylon, Extren, PVC as well as phenolics. They are useful for cabinetry and construction. They are cost effective and long-lasting.

I recommend: Professional Plastics has a selection of plastic dowel pins. Depending on the materials, they run from $30.00 to $45.00 a bag. K-Mac has plastic dowel pins that range in size. They come in bags of 50 are just under $5.50 to $6.00 in price depending on the size.

Look at industrial dowel pins

Industrial dowel pins include steel dowel pins (stainless dowel pins as well), aluminum dowel pins and Cummins dowel pins. The stainless dowel pins work well for machinery ans equipment.

I recommend: Small Parts has stainless dowel pins and dowel pin press fit in packs of 10 for under $4.00. DK Diesel includes the Cummins dowel pins as a part of its "Killer Dowel Pin (KDP) Kit" for just over $100.00. US Dental Depot has aluminum dowel pins. They come in packages of 1000 for under $15.00.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Contact the manufacturer for additional questions about their dowel pins. For some of the manufacturers of dowel pins, it's possible to receive samples of their products, which can help you decide whether the dowel pin will meet your company's needs.