Dowel pins are short cylindrical rods that are made up of either metal, plastic, or wood. These pins are used to align or join two or more components in machinery, construction, and furniture making. They have many uses, such as aligning machine components during assembly for consistent results or joining stone and concrete in masonry.
Dowels are commonly used as structural reinforcements in cabinet making and in numerous other applications, including: Furniture shelf supports. Moveable game pieces (i.e. pegs) Hangers for items such as clothing, key rings, and tools.
In addition to wood, many dowel pins are made of metal. Most metal dowel pins are made of steel. With that said, they aren't all made of the same type of steel. Some dowel pins are made of high-carbon steel, while others are made of stainless steel or even zinc-plated steel
