Is dowel joinery typically superior to other types of joinery, like screws, biscuits and connectors?
Why? Different methods of connecting wood are very situational. A technique that works well on one joint may fail miserably on another. Therefore, to answer a question about the overall performance of dowels vs. nails, screws, biscuits, etc. is best done with a list of pluses and minuses for each situation. We also have to consider factors such as component materials, loads, environment, movement, cost and labor. Blind dowels are naturally durable and flexible, as is all wood joinery. Ultimately, the withdrawal strength of the dowel connection is derived from the advancements in modern wood glues. Todays adhesives bond wooden dowels to wood, plywood, particleboard and MDF in a way that easily exceeds the capacity of a screw in the same situation. Furthermore, the natural shear strength of wood exceeds that of steel when using certain types of hardwoods. Inexpensive pin dowels are easier and faster to use as compared to creating a mortise and tenon. There is, of course, the process of m
