Dowel Buying Guide
STL Packs such as the Modular Desk Shelf System use standard off the shelf wooden dowels. This page lists where DeskShelf builders around the world found theirs, sorted by country.
How to use this guide: every store below was reported by DeskShelf builders. The number in parentheses is how many people reported buying or finding that size there. For example, (1) means one person reported it so far.
Buy in person if you can. Two reasons: first you can make sure the dowels are straight (warped dowels are common and can cause issues during assembly). Second, you can take the Dowel Fit Test prints (included with your STL Pack) with you to confirm the diameter before you buy, so you don't end up with oversized dowels.
Don't see your store or country? Add it to the survey and we'll update this page.
Jump to your country:
- Australia
- Austria
- Belgium
- Canada
- Chile
- Denmark
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Italy
- Netherlands
- New Zealand
- Norway
- Poland
- Romania
- South Africa
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- United Kingdom
- United States
- Other countries
Green outline = the most reported store in that country, and the size most people found there.
Where to buy dowels in Australia
| Store | 22mm (7/8") | 21mm | 20mm | Reports |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bunnings | ✓ (14) | ✓ (1) | ✓ (4) | 17 |
Where to buy dowels in Austria
| Store | 22mm (7/8") | 21mm | 20mm | Reports |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OBI | – | – | ✓ (4) | 4 |
| Amazon | – | – | ✓ (1) | 1 |
| Bauhaus | – | – | ✓ (1) | 1 |
| Hornbach | – | – | ✓ (1) | 1 |
Where to buy dowels in Belgium
| Store | 22mm (7/8") | 21mm | 20mm | Reports |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brico | ✓ (3) | ✓ (1) | ✓ (1) | 3 |
| HWT Pro | – | – | ✓ (1) | 1 |
| Hubo* | – | – | ✓ (1) | 1 |
* Hubo: PVC pipe, not wood
Where to buy dowels in Canada
| Store | 22mm (7/8") | 21mm | 20mm | Reports |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home Depot | ✓ (11) | ✓ (1) | ✓ (2) | 12 |
| Home Hardware | ✓ (4) | ✓ (1) | ✓ (1) | 4 |
| Lee Valley | ✓ (4) | ✓ (2) | ✓ (2) | 4 |
| Canadian Tire | ✓ (3) | – | – | 3 |
| BMR | ✓ (1) | – | – | 1 |
| Langevin Forest | ✓ (1) | – | – | 1 |
| Michael's | ✓ (1) | – | – | 1 |
| Rona | ✓ (1) | – | – | 1 |
Where to buy dowels in Chile
| Store | 22mm (7/8") | 21mm | 20mm | Reports |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Homecenter | – | – | ✓ (1) | 1 |
| Mercadolibre | ✓ (1) | – | – | 1 |
| Sodimac | ✓ (1) | – | – | 1 |
Where to buy dowels in Denmark
| Store | 22mm (7/8") | 21mm | 20mm | Reports |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jem & Fix | ✓ (5) | ✓ (1) | – | 6 |
| Biltema | – | ✓ (5) | – | 5 |
| Bauhaus | ✓ (1) | – | – | 1 |
Where to buy dowels in Finland
| Store | 22mm (7/8") | 21mm | 20mm | Reports |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bauhaus | – | ✓ (1) | – | 1 |
| K-Rauta | ✓ (1) | ✓ (1) | ✓ (1) | 1 |
Where to buy dowels in France
| Store | 22mm (7/8") | 21mm | 20mm | Reports |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leroy Merlin | ✓ (3) | – | – | 3 |
| Castorama | – | ✓ (2) | – | 2 |
| Vis-Express | ✓ (2) | ✓ (1) | ✓ (2) | 2 |
| Carrefour* | ✓ (1) | – | – | 1 |
* Carrefour: Metal broom handle, not wood
Where to buy dowels in Germany
| Store | 22mm (7/8") | 21mm | 20mm | Reports |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bauhaus | ✓ (10) | ✓ (2) | ✓ (9) | 13 |
| OBI | ✓ (6) | ✓ (3) | ✓ (8) | 12 |
| Toom | ✓ (2) | ✓ (2) | ✓ (4) | 6 |
| Amazon | ✓ (2) | ✓ (1) | ✓ (2) | 4 |
| Hornbach | – | – | ✓ (3) | 3 |
| Hagebaumarkt | – | ✓ (1) | ✓ (2) | 2 |
| Globus Baumarkt | – | – | ✓ (1) | 1 |
| HWT Pro | – | – | ✓ (1) | 1 |
| Holz Possling | – | – | ✓ (1) | 1 |
| Holz-und Stahlhandel Schenk | ✓ (1) | ✓ (1) | ✓ (1) | 1 |
| Leistenblitz | ✓ (1) | ✓ (1) | ✓ (1) | 1 |
| Theo Schrauben | – | – | ✓ (1) | 1 |
| eBay | – | – | ✓ (1) | 1 |
Where to buy dowels in Italy
| Store | 22mm (7/8") | 21mm | 20mm | Reports |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leroy Merlin | – | – | ✓ (1) | 1 |
| TecnoMat | – | – | ✓ (1) | 1 |
Where to buy dowels in the Netherlands
| Store | 22mm (7/8") | 21mm | 20mm | Reports |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hornbach | ✓ (5) | – | – | 5 |
| Gamma | ✓ (4) | – | – | 4 |
| Praxis | ✓ (3) | – | – | 3 |
| Action* | – | – | ✓ (1) | 1 |
| Bouwmaat | ✓ (1) | ✓ (1) | ✓ (1) | 1 |
| HWT Pro | – | ✓ (1) | – | 1 |
| Hubo | ✓ (1) | – | – | 1 |
* Action: Wooden broom handle
Where to buy dowels in New Zealand
| Store | 22mm (7/8") | 21mm | 20mm | Reports |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bunnings | ✓ (1) | – | ✓ (1) | 2 |
| Mitre 10 | ✓ (1) | – | – | 1 |
Where to buy dowels in Norway
| Store | 22mm (7/8") | 21mm | 20mm | Reports |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biltema | ✓ (2) | ✓ (4) | ✓ (1) | 5 |
| Jula* | ✓ (1) | – | – | 1 |
| Maxbo | – | ✓ (1) | – | 1 |
* Jula: Wooden broom handle
Where to buy dowels in Poland
| Store | 22mm (7/8") | 21mm | 20mm | Reports |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allegro* | ✓ (1) | ✓ (1) | ✓ (2) | 2 |
| Megaplex* | ✓ (1) | – | – | 1 |
* Allegro: Aluminum pipe, not wood | Megaplex: Aluminum pipe, not wood
Where to buy dowels in Romania
| Store | 22mm (7/8") | 21mm | 20mm | Reports |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brico Depot | ✓ (1) | ✓ (1) | ✓ (1) | 1 |
| Dedeman | ✓ (1) | ✓ (1) | ✓ (1) | 1 |
| Hornbach | ✓ (1) | ✓ (1) | ✓ (1) | 1 |
Where to buy dowels in South Africa
| Store | 22mm (7/8") | 21mm | 20mm | Reports |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Builders Warehouse | ✓ (3) | – | – | 3 |
| Dowel & Company | ✓ (1) | ✓ (1) | ✓ (1) | 1 |
| Leroy Merlin | ✓ (1) | – | – | 1 |
| Mannies | ✓ (1) | – | – | 1 |
Where to buy dowels in Spain
| Store | 22mm (7/8") | 21mm | 20mm | Reports |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leroy Merlin | ✓ (1) | – | – | 1 |
| Servei Estació | – | – | ✓ (1) | 1 |
Where to buy dowels in Sweden
| Store | 22mm (7/8") | 21mm | 20mm | Reports |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bauhaus | – | ✓ (3) | – | 3 |
| Biltema | – | ✓ (2) | – | 2 |
| Bolist | ✓ (1) | ✓ (1) | ✓ (1) | 1 |
Where to buy dowels in Switzerland
| Store | 22mm (7/8") | 21mm | 20mm | Reports |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jumbo | – | – | ✓ (4) | 4 |
| OBI | – | – | ✓ (1) | 1 |
Where to buy dowels in the United Kingdom
| Store | 22mm (7/8") | 21mm | 20mm | Reports |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| B&Q | ✓ (3) | ✓ (22) | ✓ (3) | 24 |
| Amazon* | ✓ (3) | – | – | 3 |
| Oakcrafts | ✓ (1) | – | ✓ (1) | 1 |
| Toolstation* | ✓ (1) | – | – | 1 |
| Wickes | ✓ (1) | ✓ (1) | ✓ (1) | 1 |
* Amazon: Some reports were broom handles (23-24mm) | Toolstation: Copper pipe, not wood
Where to buy dowels in the United States
| Store | 22mm (7/8") | 21mm | 20mm | Reports |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home Depot | ✓ (48) | – | – | 48 |
| Lowe's | ✓ (34) | – | – | 34 |
| Menards | ✓ (10) | – | – | 10 |
| Amazon | ✓ (8) | – | – | 8 |
| Walmart | ✓ (7) | – | – | 7 |
| Ace Hardware | ✓ (4) | – | – | 4 |
| Michael's | ✓ (2) | – | – | 2 |
| Woodcraft | ✓ (2) | – | – | 2 |
| Hobby Lobby | ✓ (1) | – | – | 1 |
| Midwest Dowel | ✓ (1) | – | – | 1 |
| Woodpecker Crafts | ✓ (1) | – | – | 1 |
Where to buy dowels in other countries
One or two reports so far in each of these countries.
- Botswana: Haskins (1) – 20mm
- Colombia: Homecenter (1) – 22mm (7/8")
- Czech Republic: Hornbach (1) – 20mm
- Dominican Republic: Supermercado Bravo (1) – 21mm (Wooden broom sticks)
- El Salvador: Vidri (1) – 22mm (7/8")
- Estonia: Espak (1) – 22mm (7/8"), 20mm
- Greece: Leroy Merlin (1) – 20mm
- Ireland: B&Q (2) – 21mm
- Luxembourg: Globus Baumarkt (1) – 20mm
- Moldova: Supraten (1) – 22mm (7/8") (Wooden mop handles)
- Portugal: Leroy Merlin (1) – 22mm (7/8")
- Russia: OZON (1) – 20mm
- Saudi Arabia: Amazon (1) – 22mm (7/8")
- Singapore: Shopee (1) – 21mm
- Turkey: Bauhaus (1) – 22mm (7/8")
- Vietnam: Shopee (1) – 22mm (7/8")
Frequently asked questions
What diameter dowel does the DeskShelf use?
The DeskShelf is designed around a 22mm (7/8 inch), 21mm, and 20mm wooden dowels.
Is a 7/8 inch dowel the same as 22mm?
Yes, for this purpose. The difference between 7/8 inch and 22mm is smaller than the normal size variation you'll find between dowels off the shelf, so the DeskShelf parts treat them as the same size. In North America, 7/8 inch is the size to look for. In metric countries, look for 22mm, or use the 21mm or 20mm files if that's what your local store stocks.
Can I use a broom handle instead of a dowel?
Some builders have, and it works if the diameter matches. Wooden broom handles are often 22mm to 24mm, so measure before you buy or bring the Dowel Fit Test prints.
What if my dowel is slightly too big or too small?
If it's slightly too small, the pack includes shims to take up the slack. Use the Dowel Fit Test Prints provided with your STL Pack to avoid using dowels that are too large.
Related guides
- Modular Desk Shelf STL Pack: the full set of printable parts, including the Dowel Fit Test prints
Last Update: September 2026