Dowels and dowel pins are some of the earliest tools ever used in woodworking applications to reinforce shelves and joints. Wood dowel pins are cylindrical and available in various sizes and forms.
While some woodworkers prefer to customize their dowel pins to meet the specific requirements of a project, many standard forms are available. Wooden dowel pins are among the simplest fasteners to use when aligning or joining multiple parts. In addition to wood, dowel pins can be made of the following materials:
- Aluminum
- Stainless Steel
- Steel
- Titanium
Learn more about the different types of dowel pins, their applications, the unique advantages of wood dowels, and how to choose the right products for your project.
TYPES OF WOODEN DOWEL PINS
These are the three main types of dowel pins:
Straight Dowel Pins
Straight or parallel dowel pins have a diameter that remains constant for the entire length of the pin. This design means they can enhance the fastening strength of two assembled pieces.
Tapered Dowel Pins
Tapered dowel pins start where the diameter is the largest (the head) and end where the diameter is the smallest (the point). These pins are inserted into tapered holes to increase the fastening strength and durability between two joined pieces of wood.
Grooved Dowels
Also called fluted dowels, grooved dowels contain multiple groove marks along the length of the dowel pin. The benefit of a fluted dowel is that it can be securely tightened into a piece that aligns with the grooves of the pin.
Choosing the Right Dowel Pin
When selecting the proper type of dowel pin, it is crucial to understand the specific requirements of the project, including the following factors.
DOWEL PIN USES
Dowel pin advantages are plentiful in a wide variety of applications, including but not limited to the following:
FURNITURE
Dowel pins, usually concealed, are often located on the inside of furniture. They are typically placed inside tube-like, hollowed-out sections to connect multiple furniture parts.
MACHINES
Dowel pins ensure alignment in machines to produce consistently accurate, precise parts.
SHELVES
Similar to furniture construction, shelves have tube-like hollow sections for proper dowel pin insertion. Dowel pins also attach the shelves to a wall or lateral surface.
It is important to note that dowel pins used for machine assembly differ from the types of dowel pins used for shelving and furniture applications. While dowel pins used for shelving and furniture are usually made of wood, the dowel pins used for machines typically consist of metal.
Advantages of Wood Dowel Pins
The primary advantage of dowel pins for joining pieces or parts is the bolstering of shear and tensile strength. It is crucial to protect against shear and tensile forces when assembling parts. Shear forces extend the hinge beyond its edge. The hinge would slide out of place without a pin. Tensile forces pull two pieces apart, separating the hinge. While the pin typically goes unseen after assembly, its bond remains dependable.
While steel and aluminum are also common dowel pin materials, wooden dowel pins provide remarkable advantages, such as:
- Wood is a natural insulator, so it will not conduct electricity as easily as metals.
- Wood withstands rising temperatures without losing strength or expanding as a metal material would.
- Unlike metal, wood supports its weight effectively, giving it improved tensile strength. Metal pins may require additional support to account for their weight.
- Modern wood treatments enhance the natural properties of wood to produce durable and long-lasting wooden products.
- Sound-dampening qualities and natural aesthetic value make wood a preferred material for homes and offices.
Wood is also more sustainable and environmentally friendly than virtually all other materials, storing about 50% of its weight in carbon content for its entire lifespan. It has a lower carbon footprint than other solid materials, using thousands of kilograms less carbon dioxide to produce a comparable amount of another material. As a renewable resource, wood emits fewer volatile organic compounds (VOCs) than metals and plastics. Wooden dowel pins are mostly used in woodworking but are also present in a variety of applications.
Dowels and Dowel Pins From E.W. Hannas
As a fourth-generation family business providing unsurpassed woodworking products and services, E.W. Hannas has been serving customers across diverse industries since 1918. We produce top-quality dowels that meet the highest industry standards worldwide. We have the most reliable global consortium of wood manufacturing plants, delivering value through every step of the production process.
Additionally, our molders operate full-time to provide a full range of dowel pins in various lengths and diameters, available with any secondary function or tip required for the project. Our competitive price and consistency make us a global leader in wood manufacturing, and we offer pallet and container rates with the ability to distribute based on blanket orders.
The comprehensive E.W. Hannas product line consists of the following:
- Apple sticks
- Color-coded dowels
- Craft dowels
- End bored dowels
- Healthcare & cosmetics (cuticle sticks, make-up sticks, cotton tip applicators)
- Imprinted or engraved dowels
- Ladder rungs
- Marshmallow sticks
- Mop handles
- Pennant sticks
- Pointed dowels
- Poles
- Skewers
- Slotted dowels
- Stained & finished dowels
- Sod & plant stakes
- Tenoned dowels
Contact us to learn more about our product lines. You can also request a quote to get started on your next project.