Panel pins and veneer pins are used to fix backs onto cupboards and bottoms onto boxes. Veneer pins are finer. They are made of which material?

• A. Mild steel
• B. Brass
• C. Aluminum
• D. Stainless steel

Answer: (A)

Choosing the right material for veneer pins comes down to balancing ease of use, strength, and cost for very small fixings. Veneer pins are made fine so they won’t tear the thin veneer, but they still need enough strength to hold backs or bottoms in place. Mild steel fits this combination well: it can be produced in very small diameters, is strong and ductile enough not to bend or snap during driving, and is inexpensive, making it the practical default for interior furniture fixings. Brass would resist corrosion and look neat, but it’s softer and more expensive, which can lead to bending or deformation at fine sizes. Aluminum is too soft and prone to bending, and stainless steel, while durable, is harder to drive and costs more, offering more than what veneer pins typically need.