Definition

1. Noun:
   • A fastener that is inserted into holes in two adjacent pieces and holds them together: A "dowel pin" is a cylindrical rod, typically made of wood, metal, or plastic, used to align and secure two separate components by fitting into corresponding holes drilled in each piece.

Usage

• Noun:
  • The carpenter used a dowel pin to join the two sections of the table leg precisely.
  • For a stronger joint, apply glue to the dowel pin before inserting it into the pre-drilled holes.
  • The metal dowel pin ensures the alignment of the machine parts is maintained.

Advanced Usage

• "Dowel pin joint": A type of joint created using one or more dowel pins.

  • A dowel pin joint is often stronger than a simple butt joint in woodworking.

• "To dowel" (verb, derived usage): The act of joining with a dowel pin.

  • The instructions say to dowel the shelves to the side panels for added stability.

Variants and Related Words

• Dowel (n): Often used interchangeably with "dowel pin," though "dowel" can also refer to the raw rod material before it is used as a pin.

  • He bought a bag of oak dowels to use as pins for his project.

• Dowel rod (n): A length of dowel material.

  • Cut the dowel rod into several short dowel pins.

Synonyms

• Pin: A general term for a short, rigid fastener.
• Peg: A pin or bolt, often of wood, used to fasten parts together.
• Tenon: A projecting piece of wood made for insertion into a mortise to form a joint (this is a specific type of joint component, not identical but functionally related in joinery).

Related Phrases

• "Dowel hole": The hole drilled to receive a dowel pin.

  • Make sure the dowel holes are perfectly aligned.

• "Dowel jig": A tool used to guide a drill bit for creating accurate dowel holes.

  • Using a dowel jig guarantees that the pins will line up correctly.

Noun

1. a fastener that is inserted into holes in two adjacent pieces and holds them together