Cam locks, dowel screws and connector bolts explained
These small furniture fixings are easy to mix up. We see it most with flat-pack repairs, missing cabinet parts and older furniture where one connector has gone missing.
The best starting point is the old fitting if you still have it. Match the part first, then check the size, thread and pack quantity before ordering. Do not assume one furniture connector will work with another just because it looks close.
What the parts look like
These are real product images from the Jones DIY range. They are here to help you identify the type of fitting before you check the size.
Quick guide
| Fixing | What it is normally used for | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Cam lock | Sits in a round hole and turns to grip a matching cam dowel or post. | Diameter, depth and the matching dowel or post. |
| Cam dowel screw | Screws into one panel so the cam lock has something to grip. | Length, thread and head style. |
| Connector bolt | Pulls furniture panels together with a matching nut or barrel nut. | Thread size, length and head style. |
| Barrel nut | Sits across a drilled hole and receives a connector bolt. | Thread size, barrel size and hole position. |
| Connector nut | Works with a matching connector bolt where that fixing style is used. | Thread size and nut depth. |
This is only a buying guide. It does not guarantee that mixed parts will fit together. If you are replacing an existing fitting, copy the old part as closely as you can.
Cam locks and dowel screws
Cam locks are common in flat-pack furniture and cabinet furniture. The cam lock normally drops into a round hole. When you turn it, it grips a matching dowel screw or post and pulls the panels together.
Before buying, check:
- the size of the cam lock
- the dowel screw length
- the thread on the old dowel screw
- whether you need one or enough for several repairs
Useful product examples are Cam Lock, Cam Lock Dowel Screw 24mm and Cam Lock Dowel Screw 34mm.
Check the product page before ordering. A cam dowel screw can look similar to another one but still be the wrong length or thread for the fitting you have.
Connector bolts, barrel nuts and connector nuts
Connector bolts work differently from cam locks. They use a thread and a matching nut to pull parts together. You normally see them in furniture panels, bed frames, desks, cabinets and similar jobs.
Before buying, check:
- the bolt thread
- the bolt length
- the head style
- the matching nut or barrel nut
- the thickness of the panels being joined
Useful examples are Joint Connector Bolts - M6 x 60mm, Joint Connector Bolts - M6 x 100mm, Barrel Nut and Joint Connector Nuts - M6 x 12mm.
Do not buy a connector bolt and nut together just because both are furniture fixings. Match the thread and size first.
Common mistakes
- Buying a part because it looks close, without checking the size.
- Mixing up a cam dowel screw with a plain wooden dowel.
- Assuming a barrel nut and a connector nut do the same job.
- Choosing a longer bolt when the job does not need one.
- Ordering a small pack, then finding the same fitting is missing from several places.
How to check what you need
- Take out the old fitting if you have it.
- Check whether it turns, screws in, or receives a threaded bolt.
- Measure the length and diameter where you can.
- Look for a matching part elsewhere on the same item of furniture.
- Compare the old part with the product page before ordering.
If the fitting is missing completely, check the other side of the same piece of furniture. A matching cabinet, drawer unit or bed frame often gives you a better clue than the empty hole on its own.
Where to start
If you are still working out which part you need, start with the Furniture Fixings range.
If you already know it is a cabinet connector, use the Cabinet Fixings & Connectors range.
For connector bolts, use the Joint Connector Bolts range.
The main thing is to check the part type first, then the size. That is usually what prevents the wrong order.