Dowel Pins Basics

Make the right connections by learning the basics of dowel pins

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.
   

 

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.
Try: 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.
Try: 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.
Try: 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.

 

• 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.

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