Standard Steel Dowel Pin Types

Dowel pins come in a variety of shapes and textures.

A dowel is a solid rod made of metal or wood. Dowel rods are often cut into shorter specialized lengths called dowel pins. Dowel pins are commonly used to create axles in toy cars, game pieces, short knitting needles and cabinet reinforcements and shelf supports. There are several classes of steel dowel pin.

Straight Pins

Straight pins are cylindrical and smooth sections of a dowel rod. Straight pins are commonly used to join two things together to prevent movement. Straight pins are used to support a shelf in a cabinet unit.

Pull Dowel

Pull dowel pins are cylindrical and smooth like a straight dowel pin, but on one end a threaded hole is drilled into the pin's center. A screw can then be inserted into that hole to secure the pin.

Groove Pins

Grooved pins are cylindrical pins with grooves cut down their length. These grooves create improved hold by increasing surface area. These pins are used to join two components in metal machine work.

Knurled Pins

Knurled pins are straight dowel pins with a knurled surface. The surface of the pin has ridges or some other patterning to make the surface easier to grip. For example, the edges of quarters and dimes are knurled.

Parallel Pins

Parallel pins are straight pins machined to create different and specialized ends. Most often this technique is used to make the ends of the pin two unique sizes.

Stepped Dowel Pins

Stepped dowel pins have a least two distinct sections. Each section of the pin has a different circumference, creating a stair-like appearance.

Taper Pins

Taper pins can be purchased with and without threads. These pins are designed to taper from one end to the other at a rate of a quarter-inch per foot of length.

References

• Global Spec: Dowel Pins