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What Is the Difference Between a Hog Ring & Detent Pin?

Say “fastener,” and you’ll likely think of screws, bolts, nails, and rivets. While these are widely used and certainly have their place, there are two other types of fasteners with benefits in particular applications: hog rings and detent pins.

This blog explores the differences between the two, focusing on the advantages, disadvantages, and best use cases for each.

Hog Rings

A hog ring typically has a C-shape or D-shape and is formed from either stainless steel, basic steel, galvanized steel, or aluminum. C-shaped hog rings have a curved back and form readily into circles, while D-shaped ones have a flat back and close into a triangular shape. Hog rings can also come in diameters ranging from 1/8” to 1/2”.

A handheld tool, usually pneumatic, is used with the hog rings to fasten two objects closely together.

Two plyers with hog rings on a table

Benefits

  • Very cost-effective joining/fastening method
  • Requires minimal preparation of the elements being joined (though the fabric may need some edge reinforcement)
  • Quickly applied
  • Very secure
  • Can allow some movement (to allow for expansion or vibration)

Disadvantages

  • Can allow some relative movement between pieces being joined
  • Difficult to open up to make changes

Use Cases

Hog rings are often used for attaching sheet material and fabric to wire. (The ends go through the sheet and wrap around the wire to form a tight circle). They are used in all types of furniture, in packaging, and in fencing.

Furniture applications include mattresses and upholstery, as well as vehicle seating. In this last category, hog rings secure seat covers to the wire frames. For fencing, hog rings secure chain links to posts, and are widely used for fixing wire mesh in place. Another use is attaching tarps to chain link fencing.

Detent Pin

A detent pin is similar to a dowel. It’s a cylindrical pin that goes through a clearance hole in an upper element and into a hole in a second, lower element. The pin is held in place by a spring-loaded ball that sticks out of the side of the pin near the bottom. The lower element may have a groove machined into it that captures the ball and provides repeatable axial positioning. Alternatively, the ball may catch on the underside of the lower element.

Detent pins take several forms. The simplest, as described above, have a ring on the upper end that’s used to pull the pin out. Other designs use knobs or molded handles, depending on how much force is needed to pull the pin out.

Detent pins are produced in diameters from ¼” up to 5/8” and lengths of up to 3”. Most are made from 316 stainless steel, but other metals, including brass, are available.

Single detent pin

Benefits

  • Ideal when an assembly may need to be taken apart quickly or be assembled and disassembled repeatedly
  • Provides repeatable and accurate positioning
  • Allows disassembly without needing special tools

Disadvantages

  • Significantly more expensive than hog rings
  • Requires precision holes in the elements being assembled

Use Cases

Detent pins are often used in industrial machinery or other equipment where panels, covers, or rigid elements may need removing and replacing quickly. For example, holding guards and other members in place but allowing easy removal and replacement for cleaning or setup without tools.

Find Your Fastening Solution

Hog rings and detent pins are both exceptional fastening solutions. The intended application will determine which one is best. If you need to install chain link fencing and upholstery, we particularly recommend hog rings. You can visit our website to explore some of our available fastening solutions and contact our team if you need help selecting the best one.