Dowel

A dowel is a solid cylindrical rod used to join or align parts in woodworking, metalworking, and construction. Dowels are typically smooth and may be made from wood, metal, or plastic. They are installed in holes or used as pins to locate components.

Wooden dowels are common in furniture and cabinetry, providing alignment and reinforcement for joints such as mortise-and-tenon and edge joints. Metal and plastic dowels or dowel pins offer greater strength, dimensional stability, or precision and are used where higher shear or tighter tolerances matter. Dowel pins are machined cylindrical pins with tight tolerances and chamfered ends designed to fit into matched holes.

In woodworking, dowels transfer load between joined pieces, resist shear, and help align components during assembly. They are typically installed with glue in holes sized slightly larger than the dowel; the glue fills gaps and creates a strong bond. Common wooden dowel diameters range from about 6 to 12 millimeters, with lengths matching the joint depth.

In concrete construction, dowel bars bridge joints and transfer shear while allowing for slab movement. Epoxy-coated or galvanized steel dowels resist corrosion and maintain strength under repeated loading. Typical diameters range from 19 to 32 millimeters, with spacing and alignment governed by design requirements.

See also: dowel pin, mortise and tenon, dowelling.