Dowel Pin

A dowel pin is a plain cylindrical pin used to locate or align two parts. It can also act as a pivot or a shear pin.

A dowel pin locates two parts in a drilled hole and keeps them aligned. It often fits a reamed hole and is set with a hammer or press. A hardened dowel pin can be used where the joint sees repeated movement.

This kind of pin is usually made in carbon steel or alloy steel and can be hardened. Some are made in stainless steel for corrosion resistance. Hardened pins resist wear in repeated assembly.

This is a general guide to checking this kind of part. It says nothing about any supplier's parts.

Ask for a certificate of conformance with the diameter tolerance and material grade. On receipt, check the diameter, length and straightness. Look for cracks or soft spots on hardened pins.