STAINLESS STEEL SLOTTED SPRING PINS

• Slotted Spring Pins — Slotted Spring Pins are rolled from a single strip of material into a tube with one longitudinal slot, made slightly larger in diameter than the hole they're intended for, so that driving the pin in compresses it slightly and its own spring force then holds it in place against the hole wall. That self-retaining action means they don't need a precisely reamed bore the way a dowel pin does — a standard drilled hole is normally enough, since the pin's elasticity absorbs the normal variation in hole size rather than depending on a tight tolerance match. That makes them a practical, lower-cost alternative to a dowel pin wherever exact repeatable location isn't the priority but secure retention is — locating or retaining components without precision boring, acting as hinge or pivot pins in lower-precision assemblies, and holding parts that see vibration, since the spring force actively resists the pin working loose rather than relying on a passive interference fit alone. Choosing pin diameter is a matter of checking the recommended hole size for the intended interference, rather than machining to a tight tolerance class — too large a hole reduces the spring force available and risks the pin loosening in service, while too small a hole can make the pin difficult to drive without excessive force. Grade selection follows general fastener logic: A2 stainless handles most general engineering, automotive, and machinery assembly, while A4 is worth the extra cost where the pin is exposed to marine air, washdown conditions, or de-icing salt, since a loss of spring temper or surface pitting would undermine the retention the whole design depends on. Where a wider range of hole-size tolerance needs to be accommodated, or a more even radial force is wanted, the coiled construction of a roll pin (ISO 8750) achieves a similar result by a different method and is worth comparing against this slotted type for the same application.

Related products: Roll Pins ISO 8750, Full Length Taper Grooved Pins DIN 1471, Dowel Pins

FAQs
Do slotted spring pins need a reamed hole like dowel pins?
No — a standard drilled hole is normally sufficient, since the pin's own spring action accommodates typical hole tolerance rather than depending on a precision-reamed bore.

How many times can a slotted spring pin be removed and refitted?
Repeated removal and reinsertion gradually reduces the pin's spring force as the slot opens slightly further each time, so while occasional servicing is fine, a pin that's been removed several times is worth replacing rather than reusing indefinitely in a critical location.

How do slotted spring pins differ from coiled (roll) pins?
Slotted pins are rolled from a single strip with one slot; coiled pins wind the strip into an overlapping coil, which generally spreads spring force more evenly around the circumference and tolerates a wider range of hole sizes.