[eliot15]

Hello,

Havn't used dowel pins a whole lot and was wondering...

I want to prep a hole for a 5/8" dowel pin. Its going in steel. Whats a recommended drill size? Should I use a reamer? What reamer size?

I've heard that dowel pins are a standard +.0002" oversize. Is that true?
Sort of in the same way a gauge pin minus set is standardly -.0002" undersize and a gauge pin plus set is standardly +.0002" oversize.

Thanks.

[Dan Falck]

This might be helpful for dowel pin sizes:
McMaster-Carr

You can buy reamers from L&i that are made for any size you want- press fit or clearance fit. They list some of their reamers as made for press fit and give the sizes- I think on their web site.

Lavallee & Ide - The Reamer Specialists

catalog:

http://www.lavallee-ide.com/files/catalog2011.pdf

For drilling prior to reaming, I've been making the holes .008 under the size of the reamer, but I've found that .004 under works too.

[eliot15]

Thanks very much.

I downloaded everything and am taking a look at it.