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BRITISH STANDARD

BS 1804-2:
1968
Incorporating
Amendment No. 1

Specification for

Parallel steel
Dowel pins
Licensed Copy: Gary Selby, Binnie Black & Veatch, 24 November 2003, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI

Part 2: Metric Series

BS 1804-2:1968

Co-operating organizations
The Mechanical Engineering Industry Standards Committee, under whose
supervision this British Standard was prepared, consists of representatives
from the following Government departments and scientific and industrial
organizations:
Associated Offices Technical Committee

Institution of Gas Engineers

Association of Consulting Engineers

Institution of Heating and Ventilating

Association of Mining Electrical and

Engineers

Mechanical Engineers

Institution of Mechanical Engineers*

Board of Trade

Institution of Mechanical Engineers

British Chemical Plant Manufacturers

Association

(Automobile Division)
Institution of Production Engineers

British Compressed Air Society

Locomotive and Allied Manufacturers

British Electrical and Allied Manufacturers

Licensed Copy: Gary Selby, Binnie Black & Veatch, 24 November 2003, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI

Association

Association of Great Britain

London Transport Board

British Gear Manufacturers Association

Machine Tool Trades Association*

British Internal Combustion Engine

Ministry of Defence

Manufacturers Association

Ministry of Defence, Army Department

British Steel Industry

Ministry of Labour (H.M. Factory Inspectorate)

British Mechanical Engineering Federation

Ministry of Power

British Pump Manufacturers Association

Ministry of Public Building and Works

Crown Agents for Oversea Governments and

Ministry of Technology

Administrations

Ministry of TechnologyNational Engineering

Electricity Council, the Central Electricity

Generating Board and the Area Boards

Laboratory
National Physical Laboratory (Ministry of

in England and Wales

Technology)

Engineering Equipment Users Association

Ministry of Transport

Gas Council

National Coal Board

Institute of Marine Engineers

Radio Industry Council

Institution of Civil Engineers

Royal Institute of British Architects

The Government departments and scientific and industrial organizations

marked with an asterisk in the above list, together with the following, were
directly represented on the committee entrusted with the preparation of this
British Standard:
British Plastics Federation

Individual manufacturer

Taper Pin Manufacturers Association

This British Standard, having

been approved by the
Mechanical Engineering
Industry Standards Committee
and endorsed by the Chairman
of the Engineering Divisional
Council, was published
under the authority of the
General Council on
26 September 1968
BSI 07-1999
The following BSI references
relate to the work on this
standard:
Committee reference MEE/117
Draft for comment 67/24646
ISBN 580 00311 6

Amendments issued since publication

Amd. No.

Date

Comments

8359

March 1995

Indicated by a sideline in the margin

BS 1804-2:1968

Licensed Copy: Gary Selby, Binnie Black & Veatch, 24 November 2003, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI

Contents
Co-operating organizations
Foreword
1 Scope
2 Definitions
3 Material
4 Hardness
5 Dowel pins in blind holes
6 Dimensions
7 Limits of tolerance on dimensions
8 Surface texture
9 Dowel pin ends
10 Anti-corrosion treatment
11 Marking
12 Ordering
Appendix A Fitting dowel pins into blind holes
Figure 1 Method for releasing trapped air
Table 1 Limits of tolerance on diameter
Table 2 Dimensions of parallel steel dowel pins

BSI 07-1999

Page
Inside front cover
ii
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
2
2
2
3
4
4
2
3

BS 1804-2:1968

Licensed Copy: Gary Selby, Binnie Black & Veatch, 24 November 2003, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI

Foreword
This standard makes reference to the following British Standards:
BS 427, Method for Vickers hardness test Part 1: Testing of metals.
BS 860, Table for comparison of hardness scales.
BS 970, Wrought steels in the form of bars, billets, and forgings, up to 6 in ruling
section, for automobile and general engineering purposes. En series.
BS 1133, Packaging code. Section 6. Temporary protection of metal surfaces
against corrosion (during transport and storage).
BS 1134, Centre-line-average height method for the assessment of surface texture.
BS 1407, High carbon bright steel (silver steel).
BS 1423, High carbon oil-hardening steel (precision finish).
BS 1916, Limits and fits for engineering.
Obsolescent (by Amendment No. 1) The need for the pins covered by this British
Standard has been reviewed and it has been decided that, in the interests of
rationalization, they should be regarded as obsolescent. Their use for new designs
is not therefore recommended. The standard will be withdrawn in due course.
NOTE Even though this standard has largely been superseded by BS EN 28734:1992 and
BS EN 22338:1992, it has not been withdrawn but declared obsolescent as it is recognized that it
should remain available for the servicing of existing designs which are expected to have a long
working life.

This Part 2 or BS 1804 has been published under the authority of the Mechanical
Engineering Industry Standards Committee, and forms a companion volume to
Part 1, inch series.
An attempt has been made to set out a range of metric stock sizes that will satisfy
European demands. These sizes are jointly based upon those given in the
equivalent Austrian and ISO proposal documents. It is recognized that the
cylindrical surface of precision ground parallel dowel pins sometimes has a
functional duty necessitating numerical control of surface texture.
In order to avoid confusion about the meanings of the various terms used to
describe dowel pins, the terms precision ground parallel dowel pin, ground
parallel dowel pin and parallel dowel pin have been defined in this standard.
Dowel pins are normally used to locate two or more components to a required
degree of accuracy. In order to provide for varying degrees of accuracy three
grades have been standardized.
Attention is specially called to the danger which may arise when fitting dowel
pins into blind holes. A suggestion for preventing this danger is made in an
appendix.
A British Standard does not purport to include all the necessary provisions of a
contract. Users of British Standards are responsible for their correct application.
Compliance with a British Standard does not of itself confer immunity
from legal obligations.

Summary of pages
This document comprises a front cover, an inside front cover, pages i and ii,
pages 1 to 4, an inside back cover and a back cover.
This standard has been updated (see copyright date) and may have had
amendments incorporated. This will be indicated in the amendment table on the
inside front cover.
ii

BSI 07-1999

BS 1804-2:1968

1 Scope
This British Standard specifies requirements for
cylindrical parallel steel dowel pins used normally
for the accurate location of components relative to
each other.
Three grades are included:
Grade 1. Precision ground parallel dowel pins.
Grade 2. Ground parallel dowel pins.
Grade 3. Parallel dowel pins.

2 Definitions

Licensed Copy: Gary Selby, Binnie Black & Veatch, 24 November 2003, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI

For the purposes of this British Standard, the

following definitions apply:
2.1
dowel pin
the generic term which refers to all types of parallel
locating pins, as defined in 2.2, 2.3 and 2.4
2.2
precision ground parallel dowel pin
a Grade 1 steel dowel pin having a ground finish,
and conforming to the total diametral tolerance
given in Table 1
2.3
ground parallel dowel pin
a Grade 2 steel dowel pin having a ground finish and
conforming to the total diametral tolerance given
in Table 1
2.4
parallel dowel pin
a Grade 3 steel dowel pin having a machined, bright
rolled or drawn finish, and conforming to the total
diametral tolerance given in Table 1

3 Material
Dowel pins shall be manufactured from steels as
follows.
3.1 Grade 1 and 2 steel dowel pins shall be
manufactured from En 32A or En 32B low carbon
steel conforming to BS 9701), or from high carbon
steel conforming to either BS 14072) or BS 14233).
3.2 Grade 3 steel dowel pins shall be manufactured
from En 1A free cutting steel conforming to
BS 9701).

By arrangement between the purchaser and the

manufacturer, other steels conforming to BS 9701)
may be used as alternatives to those given above.

4 Hardness
The dowel pins shall be supplied in accordance with
the following requirements.
4.1 Grade 1 steel dowel pins. Dowel pins
manufactured from steel to BS 9701) En 32A and B
shall conform to the following requirements for
hardness:
below 4 mm diameter: unhardened;
4 mm diameter and above: hardened to a
minimum of 750 HV 30 BS 4274).
Dowel pins manufactured from steels conforming
to BS 14072) and BS 14233) shall have a
hardness within the range 600 HV to 700 HV 30
BS 4274).
The values on other hardness scales may be used
in accordance with BS 8605).
4.2 Grades 2 and 3 steel dowel pins. The dowel
pins shall be supplied in the unhardened condition
except when otherwise agreed between the
purchaser and the manufacturer.
4.3 Alternative steels. When steels other than the
standard range are used (see Clause 3) the hardness
shall be as agreed between the purchaser and the
manufacturer.

5 Dowel pins in blind holes

In the case of dowel pins having an interference fit
and intended for application to blind holes, it is
important that provision should be made for the
release of air (see Appendix A). The purchaser
should state if this feature is required.

6 Dimensions
The range of diameters and lengths in which the
various grades of dowel pins shall be available as
standard are given in Table 2.

7 Limits of tolerance on dimensions

Limits of tolerance shall be in accordance with the
following requirements.
7.1 Diameter. The limits of diametral tolerance for
dowel pins shall conform to the values given
in Table 1 (abstract BS 19166)).

1)

BS 970, Wrought steels. En series.

1407, High carbon bright steel (silver steel).
3)
BS 1423, High carbon oil-hardening steel (precision finish).
4)
BS 427, Method for Vickers hardness test, Part 1 Testing of metals.
5)
BS 860, Table for comparison of hardness scales.
6) BS 1916, Limits and fits for engineering.
2) BS

BSI 07-1999

BS 1804-2:1968

Table 1 Limits of tolerance on diameter

Tolerance unit = 0.001 mm
Grade

Tolerance zone
Over

Licensed Copy: Gary Selby, Binnie Black & Veatch, 24 November 2003, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI

Nominal
diameters
mm

m5
To

High +

h7

h11

Low +

High +

Low

High +

Low

60

12a

3
6
10
14
18
24

6
10
14
18
24
30

9
12

4
6

0
0

12
15

0
0

75
90

15

18

110

17

21

130

NOTE The tolerances of Grade 1 and 2 steel dowel pins have been chosen so that, when used in standard reamed holes
(H7 and H8 tolerance zone), they should function satisfactorily. If not satisfactory, BS 1916, Part 1, Limits and tolerances, should
be consulted, and a different class of fit chosen.
a

This tolerance is larger than given in BS 1916, and has been included because a tighter tolerance would involve precision
grinding by the manufacturer which is uneconomic for a Grade 2 steel dowel pin.

7.2 Length. The limits of tolerance on the overall

length of all grades of dowel pins are given below:
Length

Tolerance

Up to 50 mm

+ 0.5 mm
0.0 mm

Over 50 mm

+ 0.8 mm
0.0 mm

8 Surface texture
When assessed in accordance with BS 11347), the
roughness of the cylindrical surface of Grades 1
and 2 steel dowel pins shall be not greater
than 0.4 m C.L.A. (16 C.L.A.).

9 Dowel pin ends

Each dowel pin shall have a circumferential
chamfer of 20 to 40 on one end, for the purpose of
providing a lead; the chamfer shall be visible all
round the circumference. The other end may be
similarly chamfered or alternatively domed at the
discretion of the manufacturer. The depth of the
chamfer shall comply with the value amax, shown
in Table 2.

11 Marking
Each package or lot of dowel pins shall bear the
manufacturers name or trade mark, the number of
this British Standard and the grade of dowel pin,
e.g. BS 1804-2, Grade 2.
NOTE The mark BS 1804-2 on or in relation to the product is a
claim by the manufacturer that it complies with the
requirements of the standard.
The British Standards Institution is the owner of a registered
certification trade mark. This is shown below, enclosed in the
words, Approved to British Standard. This mark can be used
only by manufacturers licensed under the certification mark
scheme operated by the BSI. The presence of this mark on or in
relation to a product is an assurance that the goods have been
produced to comply with the requirements of the British
Standard under a system of supervision, control and testing
operated during manufacture and including periodical inspection
at the manufacturers works in accordance with the certification
mark scheme of the BSI.
Further particulars of the terms of licence may be obtained from
the Director, British Standards Institution, 2 Park Street,
London W.1.

10 Anti-corrosion treatment
The dowel pins shall be given suitable anti-corrosion
treatment in accordance with BS 1133, Section 68).

7) BS
8) BS

1134, Centre-line average height method for the assessment of surface texture.
1133, Packaging code, Section 6, Temporary prevention of corrosion of metal surfaces (during transport and storage).

BSI 07-1999

BS 1804-2:1968

12 Ordering

nominal diameter (see Table 2);

nominal length (see Table 2);
whether provision for air release is required
(see Clause 5).

Nominal
diameters
D
a

max.

1.5

2.5

10

12

16

20

25

0.3

0.3

0.3

0.4

0.45

0.6

0.75

0.9

1.2

1.5

1.8

2.5

10

12

35

40

50

60

70

80

100

110

16
20
Nominal length L

Licensed Copy: Gary Selby, Binnie Black & Veatch, 24 November 2003, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI

When ordering dowel pins the customer should

specify:
grade (see Clause 1);
Table 2 Dimensions of parallel steel dowel pins

25
30

45

90

120

BSI 07-1999

BS 1804-2:1968

Appendix A Fitting dowel pins into

blind holes

Licensed Copy: Gary Selby, Binnie Black & Veatch, 24 November 2003, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI

Damage to costly material, apart from danger to

personnel, frequently results from attempts to drive
dowel pins into blind holes without first making
provision for the release of trapped air.

Unless precautions are taken, severe stresses

tending to burst the component may be set up. A
typical method used for ensuring the release of the
air is indicated in Figure 1.

Figure 1 Method for releasing trapped air

BSI 07-1999

BS 1804-2:1968

Licensed Copy: Gary Selby, Binnie Black & Veatch, 24 November 2003, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI

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BS 1804-2:
1968

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