Dowel Pins
Dowel pins, when inserted into receiving holes, are used to join and precisely align parts of an assembly. Dowel pins may also be used as location pins, and are common in automotive and aerospace as well as furniture manufacturing. Hartford produces them in slip fit and press fit designs, in diameters from .031″ (.787mm) to 1.000″ (25.4mm) and lengths from .125″ (3.17mm) to 3.000″ (76.2mm), cleaned in a five-stage ultrasonic system.
Profile
Dowel pins join and precisely align parts of an assembly and are also used as location pins. Hartford uses an advanced five-stage ultrasonic cleaning system to produce ultra-clean dowel pins.
Standard Materials
Every Hartford pin is made to order, so material is specified per program. The grades below are standard across our full pin range. If your print calls for a grade not listed here, send it over with your RFQ.
Bearing Grade Chrome Steel | Through-hardened alloy | High-load, high-wear applications where hardness matters more than corrosion performance
Carbon Steel | Low alloy | Cost-sensitive programs, commonly paired with a plating or finishing option
302 / 303 / 304 / 18-8 | 300 series stainless | General corrosion resistance, food, medical and washdown environments
316 | 300 series stainless | Chloride and marine exposure
416 / 420 | 400 series stainless | Corrosion resistance with higher hardness than the 300 series
440 / 440C | 400 series stainless | Maximum hardness in a stainless grade
All grades listed are produced under the same quality system and inspection process regardless of material.
Plating and Finishing
Corrosion performance follows the material and the coating rather than the pin type. Stainless grades carry inherent corrosion resistance, so the simplest route is specifying the stainless that matches your environment. For carbon and chrome steel pins, the finishing options below add corrosion protection without moving to a stainless grade.
Black Oxide | Conversion coating | Mild corrosion resistance, improved when oiled or waxed | Negligible dimensional change, so it holds tight tolerances
Nickel Plating | Electroplated | Good general corrosion resistance | Adds measurable thickness, called out at quote
Chrome Plating | Electroplated | Good corrosion resistance with a hard, wear-resistant surface | Specified where surface wear and corrosion both apply
Finishing is specified at quote. Send your print or your environment and we will recommend the material and finish combination that fits.
Typical Hardness
Hardness follows the material rather than the pin type. The values below apply across our pin range and match the figures published on our precision ball pages.
Bearing Grade Chrome Steel | Rockwell C 60 to 66
440C Stainless Steel | Rockwell C 58 to 62
Carbon Steel | Rockwell C 60 minimum
SS302/SS304/SS316 | Rockwell C 25-39
If your application has a specific hardness requirement, include it with your RFQ and we will confirm the material that meets it.
Pin Sizes
Diameter: .031″ to 1.000″ (.787mm to 25.4mm)
Length: .125″ to 3.000″ (3.17mm to 76.2mm)
Diameter tolerance: +/-0.0001″ (+/-0.0025mm)
Length tolerance: +/-0.002″ (+/-0.05mm)
Can hold DIN G2 tolerances
Why Choose Hartford Technologies
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100 years of precision manufacturing
Trusted by OEMs in Aerospace, Medical, Automotive, and Industrial markets since 1926.
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U.S. Engineering + China Manufacturing
Wholly owned foreign entity operations run under Hartford's own quality system
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Precision Manufacturing Capabilites
Diameter tolerance held to +/-0.0001"
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Clean & Ultra-clean Parts
Five-stage ultrasonic cleaning for clean and ultra-clean parts
Industries We Serve
Hartford pins are specified into production programs across the industries below. If your application is not listed, it is still worth a conversation. Pins are among the most widely specified components we make.
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Automotive
Constant velocity joints, universal joints, transmission pins, rocker arms
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Industrial and Manufacturing
Roller clutches, cam rollers
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Aerospace
Alignment pins, location pins
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Furniture Manufacturing
Dowel and location pin assembly
Lead Times
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Standard lead time is 14 to 16 weeks. Expedited production is available in 6 to 8 weeks and is quoted on request.
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Minimum order value is $1,500. Minimum quantity varies with diameter, length, material and end configuration, so orders are qualified on value rather than piece count. Typical production runs are 10,000 pieces or more.
Not suitable for craft, hobby or small-quantity applications.
