Use dowel pins as pivots, hinges, shafts, jigs, and fixtures to locate or hold parts. For a tight fit, your hole should be equal to or slightly smaller than the diameter shown. Breaking strength is measured as double shear, which is the force required to break a pin into three pieces.

Steel pins are the strongest dowel pins. Steel pins are precision ground except for 1/32" diameter pins. 1215 carbon steel pins are easier to machine than other steel pins.

Brass pins are softer than other materials, so they’re often used as shear pins. They resist corrosion and are nonmagnetic.

Aluminum pins are one-third the weight of steel pins, but not as strong. They resist corrosion and are nonmagnetic.

For technical drawings and 3-D models, click on a part number.