1/4" Shelf Pin Supports

These inserts both look and function great. However, they can be somewhat difficult to install - especially if you have "ham" hands, as I do. Having installed thousands of these inserts in both my own house, as well as cabinetry I've made for customers, I've developed my own installation tool that might be of help to others. I purchased a Robert Sorby Aluminum Micro Handle sold by Rockler, and others and inserted the shaft of a 1/4" drill bit, that I had shortened with bolt cutters wear face and eye protection during this process, into the Sorby handle. The shelf inserts fit onto the protruding 1/4" shaft and allow the installer to hammer the inserts into the shelf hole without nailing their fingers. The entire assembly probably costs around $25, but it's worth it if you have hundreds to install. The added bonus is that the tool also keeps the inserts from deforming when being inserted into the hole, which can also happen from time-to-time.

These pins seem to be too short as they slip out of the sleeves with the smallest bump. the sleeves are chrome as is the pin. It is no fun to try to install a shelf and have the pin fall out! The pin holes were drilled with a drill press with a 9/32" drill bit as per the catalog and the sleeves fit just fine. I substituted these pins with 1/4" maple dowels which were a tight fit and should support the shelves just fine.

I used several hundred of the 1/4" pins and sleeves for shelving. The pins fit too loosely in the sleeves, and the sleeves too loosely in 9/32" holes. I've glued the sleeves and taped the pins to get a barely satisfactory result. Before purchasing, I read every review here on Rocker's site and researched available options reasonably throughly. Based on the reviews noting exactly these issues, I expected problems. However, I went ahead with these pins because I could not find any that seemed any better. While I was able to get them to work and achieved the desired look, I strongly recommend looking for alternatives - especially if you are picky about tolerances and performance.

We have been using shelf pins in our cabinets for years. I just made a purchase of pins & sleeves for a cabinet package we built for an architects home. We installed over 800 sleeves only to realize that the pins are incredibly loose fitting in the sleeves. The sleeves fit the hole in the cabinet perfect but the pin is loose in the sleeve.

These pins are very strong, well constructed and give my piece a great look and feel...