Dowel Pins: Should we be using them for pinning general purpose machines?
Dowels have been used by carpenters for centuries. They would have a length of rod which they would cut the required amount needed from it. It would have been inserted into a joint to give the joint more strength and to stop or reduce the share of forces that are on that joint. Basically, a pin to keep something in the same position. It is not designed to be fastener or a clamp, as something else would meet this requirement. So it’s no surprise that we see them in our industry.