Military Pins — Cotter, Dowel & Clevis
Military pins serve three very different jobs under one category name: cotter pins mechanically lock a fastener assembly against rotation, dowel pins precisely align mating components, and clevis pins act as dedicated pivot or quick-release shear fasteners.
Pin Configurations We Manufacture
Cotter Pins
Split, semi-circular wire pin inserted through a cross-drilled hole and bent open to mechanically lock a castle nut, clevis pin, or shaft against rotation.
Dowel Pins
Precision-ground cylindrical pins that align two mating components to a tight tolerance, transferring shear load without relying on a bolt's clamping friction.
Clevis Pins
Smooth cylindrical pin that serves as the pivot axis in a fork (clevis) joint, typically retained by a cotter pin or retaining ring through a cross-drilled hole.
Overview
Cotter pins under FF-P-386 are one of the simplest and most reliable locking devices in the fastener toolkit — a purely mechanical block against rotation, rather than a friction-based mechanism, which makes them a favored solution for high-vibration or safety-critical joints. They're inherently single-use: once bent open for installation, the legs shouldn't be straightened and reused.
Dowel pins and clevis pins serve structural rather than locking roles. Dowel pins are manufactured to precise diametral tolerances (often a slight interference fit) so two components align repeatably during assembly or disassembly, common in engine timing components and jig/fixture work. Clevis pins act as the pivot point in a fork-and-tang joint — carrying shear load as the joint rotates — and are almost always paired with a cotter pin or retaining ring to prevent axial migration out of the clevis.
- Common pin materials include carbon steel, corrosion resistant steel, and brass, selected based on environment and whether non-magnetic properties are needed.
- Cotter pin finish is typically cadmium plate per QQ-P-416 Type 2, Class 3.
Applicable Standards
Explore the individual military pin specifications Ananka manufactures to.
Military Pins — Frequently Asked Questions
Can a cotter pin be reused after removal?
No — once bent open for installation, a cotter pin should not be straightened and reinstalled. The bending process fatigues and weakens the material, so a new pin should be used at every reassembly.
What's the difference between a dowel pin and a clevis pin?
A dowel pin precisely aligns two stationary mating components and is typically a tight interference fit. A clevis pin acts as a rotating pivot axis within a fork joint and is a closer-clearance fit, secured axially by a separate retaining device such as a cotter pin.
Why are cotter pins preferred over self-locking nuts in some joints?
A cotter pin provides a purely mechanical block against rotation that doesn't degrade with vibration cycling the way a friction-based self-locking device eventually can, making it a favored choice for safety-critical pin and castle-nut joints.
Need Military Pins to Print?
Ananka Fasteners manufactures cotter, dowel, and clevis pins with full material traceability and Mill Test Certification on every lot.
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