在木工中, 当要将两块木板嵌在一起时, 除了把镶嵌部位切成榫头外, 还可以在每块木板上钻一个小孔, 然后用一小缺圆柱形的木块插入其中。这一小木圆柱体就叫做「定缝销钉」, 俗语又叫做「木钉」, 用以代替榫头。 但有时定缝销钉也会和榫头一起使用: 这时定缝销钉会扣着榫头位的两块木, 使榫头更稳固, 不易脱离。

A dowel is a solid cylindrical rod, usually made from wood, plastic, or metal. In its original manufactured form, a dowel is called a dowel rod. Dowel rods are often cut into short lengths called dowel pins. Dowels are employed in numerous, diverse applications including axles in toys, detents (e. g., in gymnastics grips), structural reinforcements in cabinet making, and supports for tiered wedding cakes. Other uses include: