--- title: "What Are Ball-Lock Pins (T-Handle) Used For?" description: "Ball-Lock Pins (T-Handle) (Trade series (ball-lock quick pin)) are used for connections made and broken by hand many times, where a threaded fastener would b…" url: https://engineeringhardware.com/applications/ball-lock-pins/ source: Engineering Hardware & Fasteners --- # What Are Ball-Lock Pins (T-Handle) Used For? Pins · Trade series (ball-lock quick pin) · Application guide Typical applications, the industries that specify ball-lock pins (t-handle), and how to choose the right size, material and finish for the joint. Ball-Lock Pins (T-Handle) are used for connections made and broken by hand many times, where a threaded fastener would be far too slow. They are manufactured to Trade series (ball-lock quick pin), and selection is driven by the nominal diameter, the fit and tolerance the assembly requires, and the service environment. - **Primary duty:** Connections made and broken by hand many times, where a threaded fastener would be far too slow - **Governing standard:** Trade series (ball-lock quick pin) - **Nominal diameter range:** 5 mm to 16 mm - **Category:** Pins Application notes are general engineering guidance. Verify the property class and any approval requirement against your own design calculation. ![What Are Ball-Lock Pins (T-Handle) Used For? application image](https://engineeringhardware.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Ball-Lock-Pins-Applications.webp) Ball-Lock Pins (T-Handle) are selected when an assembly calls for connections made and broken by hand many times, where a threaded fastener would be far too slow. This application guide to the Trade series (ball-lock quick pin) type covers concrete end-uses, the specification checklist, correct installation, and where an alternative fastener performs better. Stocked across roughly 5 mm to 16 mm, they cover general to heavy-duty work. ## Typical Applications for Ball-Lock Pins (T-Handle) The most common settings where these are specified: - **Machine alignment:** dowelling mating housings so they reassemble in the same position. - **General machine building:** fastening covers, brackets, motors and sub-assemblies on production equipment. - **Maintenance & repair (MRO):** a stocked size for servicing existing plant where the original fastener spec must be matched. - **Fabrication & metalwork:** bench and on-site assembly of steel frames, enclosures and weldments. - **Jigs & fixtures:** precise location of tooling plates and locating features. Product catalog ## Related Detent, Hitch & Quick-Release Pins products [![Quick Release Pin Bimini Top Stainless Steel Pin Marine Hardware](https://img.engineeringhardware.com/Quick-Release-Pin-Bimini-Top-Stainless-Steel-Pin-Marine-Hardware.webp)](https://engineeringhardware.com/product/quick-release-pin-bimini-top-stainless-steel-pin-marine-hardware/) Ball-Lock & Quick-Release Pins ### [Quick Release Pin Bimini Top Stainless Steel Pin Marine Hardware](https://engineeringhardware.com/product/quick-release-pin-bimini-top-stainless-steel-pin-marine-hardware/) Transmission · International **US$0.12 – 12.00**MOQ 10 pieces [![02401 Spring Loaded Quick Release Pin for Truck Cargo Box](https://img.engineeringhardware.com/02401-Spring-Loaded-Quick-Release-Pin-for-Truck-Cargo-Box.webp)](https://engineeringhardware.com/product/02401-spring-loaded-quick-release-pin-for-truck-cargo-box/) Ball-Lock & Quick-Release Pins ### [02401 Spring Loaded Quick Release Pin for Truck Cargo Box](https://engineeringhardware.com/product/02401-spring-loaded-quick-release-pin-for-truck-cargo-box/) Galvanized · Steel **US$7.20 – 8.40**MOQ 100 pieces [![O-Type Folding Spring Cam Lock Safety Pin Heavy Duty Quick Release Locking Pin Industrial Hardware Fastener](https://img.engineeringhardware.com/O-Type-Folding-Spring-Cam-Lock-Safety-Pin-Heavy-Duty-Quick-Release-Locking-Pin-Industrial-Hardware-Fastener.webp)](https://engineeringhardware.com/product/o-type-folding-spring-cam-lock-safety-pin-heavy-duty-quick-release-locking-pin/) Ball-Lock & Quick-Release Pins ### [O-Type Folding Spring Cam Lock Safety Pin Heavy Duty Quick Release Locking Pin Industrial Hardware Fastener](https://engineeringhardware.com/product/o-type-folding-spring-cam-lock-safety-pin-heavy-duty-quick-release-locking-pin/) Quick Release Pin · Stainless Steel, Carbon Steel, Alloy Steel **US$0.06**MOQ 100 pieces [![Factory Outlet Push Button Spring Load Lock Pin OEM/ODM Quick Release Pin Ball Lock Pin Stainless Steel Locking Pin with Pull Ring Safety Rope](https://img.engineeringhardware.com/Factory-Outlet-Push-Button-Spring-Load-Lock-Pin-OEM-ODM-Quick-Release-Pin-Ball-Lock-Pin-Stainless-Steel-Locking-Pin-with-Pull-Ring-Safety-Rope.webp)](https://engineeringhardware.com/product/factory-outlet-push-button-spring-load-lock-pin-oem-odm-quick-release-pin-ball-lock/) Ball-Lock & Quick-Release Pins ### [Factory Outlet Push Button Spring Load Lock Pin OEM/ODM Quick Release Pin Ball Lock Pin Stainless Steel Locking Pin with Pull Ring Safety Rope](https://engineeringhardware.com/product/factory-outlet-push-button-spring-load-lock-pin-oem-odm-quick-release-pin-ball-lock/) VCN110 · Stainless Steel **US$1.19 – 1.68**MOQ 2 units [![Quick-Release Ring Pull Ball Lock Pin for Construction Scaffolding Positioning](https://img.engineeringhardware.com/Quick-Release-Ring-Pull-Ball-Lock-Pin-for-Construction-Scaffolding-Positioning.webp)](https://engineeringhardware.com/product/quick-release-ring-pull-ball-lock-pin-for-construction-scaffolding-positioning/) Ball-Lock & Quick-Release Pins ### [Quick-Release Ring Pull Ball Lock Pin for Construction Scaffolding Positioning](https://engineeringhardware.com/product/quick-release-ring-pull-ball-lock-pin-for-construction-scaffolding-positioning/) Transmission · International **US$0.12 – 12.00**MOQ 100 pieces [![Carbon Steel Headed Ball Lock Pin with Single Ball Quick Release Pin](https://img.engineeringhardware.com/Carbon-Steel-Headed-Ball-Lock-Pin-with-Single-Ball-Quick-Release-Pin.webp)](https://engineeringhardware.com/product/carbon-steel-headed-ball-lock-pin-with-single-ball-quick-release-pin/) Ball-Lock & Quick-Release Pins ### [Carbon Steel Headed Ball Lock Pin with Single Ball Quick Release Pin](https://engineeringhardware.com/product/carbon-steel-headed-ball-lock-pin-with-single-ball-quick-release-pin/) Quick Release Pin · Carbon Steel **US$9.70 – 11.08**MOQ 1,000 pieces [View all Ball-Lock & Quick-Release Pins →](https://engineeringhardware.com/fastener-products/pins-dowel-fasteners/ball-lock-quick-release-pins/) [Full product catalog](https://engineeringhardware.com/products/) ## How to Specify Ball-Lock Pins (T-Handle) for Your Application - **Size:** Select on nominal diameter, then on the hole tolerance and fit class — the fit, not the diameter alone, determines whether the part locates or slips. This product spans 5 mm–16 mm; check the full table below for the exact dimensions of each size. - **Material:** Choose the material and finish for the service environment — plated steel for general use, stainless for corrosion resistance. - **Environment:** For damp, coastal or chemical exposure prefer A4/316 stainless or a suitable coating; indoors, plated steel or A2 is usually sufficient. - **Standard:** This product is supplied to Trade series (ball-lock quick pin). Quoting the standard on your order guarantees interchangeable dimensions between suppliers. ## Installation & Assembly Practice - Ream the hole to the specified fit class; a dowel pressed into a drilled-only hole will not locate accurately. - Press pins in with steady force rather than hammer blows where possible, and chamfer the hole entry. ## Common Selection Mistakes with Ball-Lock Pins (T-Handle) - Using a dowel pin as a load-carrying shear bolt — dowels locate, they are not sized for sustained shear. - Ignoring the fit class: a locational fit and an interference fit need different hole tolerances. ## Where Ball-Lock Pins (T-Handle) Are Not the Right Choice Not for carrying significant tensile or repeated heavy shear loads — use a bolt or a keyed joint for that. Custom manufacturing · Made to drawing ## Need a ball-lock pins (t-handle) outside the standard range? Tolerance class is what a special pin usually turns on — a locating pin and a retaining pin want very different fits in the same nominal size. Made by cold heading or turning. Minimum order from 2,000 pieces; samples within 7 days of drawing approval. [Custom pin manufacturing](https://engineeringhardware.com/custom/pins/)[Send a drawing](https://engineeringhardware.com/custom/pins/#rfq) ## Technical Drawing Dimensioned line drawing of 5 Ball-Lock Pins (T-Handle) to Trade series (ball-lock quick pin). Side view and top view, drawn to the dimensions in the table below and redrawn for any size selected. - **Usable length (mm):** 20 - **Handle:** T-handle - **Double shear load (kN):** 5.5 - **Balls:** 2 - **Shank tolerance:** h9 - **Material:** Stainless 1.4305 - **Finish:** Passivated ## Dimensions & Specifications (Trade series (ball-lock quick pin)) | Shank diameter d (mm) | Usable length (mm) | Handle | Double shear load (kN) | Balls | Shank tolerance | Material | Finish | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 5 | 20 | T-handle | 5.5 | 2 | h9 | Stainless 1.4305 | Passivated | | 6 | 30 | T-handle | 8.0 | 2 | h9 | Stainless 1.4305 | Passivated | | 8 | 40 | T-handle | 14.5 | 2 | h9 | Stainless 1.4305 | Passivated | | 10 | 50 | T-handle | 23.0 | 2 | h9 | Stainless 1.4305 | Passivated | | 12 | 60 | T-handle | 33.0 | 2 | h9 | Stainless 1.4305 | Passivated | | 16 | 80 | T-handle | 59.0 | 2 | h9 | Stainless 1.4305 | Passivated | Inside the plant ## Manufactured in our own plant This part is cold-formed, threaded, heat-treated and finished in-house. The stages below are where its class and finish are actually decided. 1. ![Wire rod feeding into a cold heading machine](https://engineeringhardware.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/09-wire-rod-feed-cold-heading-machine.webp) 01 **Cold heading** Wire rod is drawn to size and cold-formed into blanks. Forming rather than cutting keeps the grain flow continuous around the head, which is where a bolt is most likely to fail. Head dimensions and under-head radius checked at set-up and per shift. 2. ![Thread rolling machine producing bolt threads](https://engineeringhardware.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/03-thread-rolling-machine-bolt-production.webp) 02 **Thread rolling** Threads are rolled between hardened dies rather than cut. Rolled threads are stronger in fatigue than cut threads and hold pitch and flank angle far more consistently across a batch. Go / no-go ring gauges to ISO 965 tolerance class 6g. 3. ![Baskets of bolts staged for heat treatment](https://engineeringhardware.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/05-heat-treatment-baskets-black-bolts.webp) 03 **Heat treatment** Quench-and-temper brings carbon and alloy steel to the property class ordered — 8.8, 10.9 or 12.9 — with the furnace charge tracked so a finished lot can be traced back to it. Core hardness and tensile tested per lot to ISO 898-1. 4. ![Zinc plated bolts in a treatment basket](https://engineeringhardware.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/23-zinc-plated-bolts-treatment-basket.webp) 04 **Surface treatment** Zinc, zinc-nickel, hot-dip galvanizing, black oxide, phosphate and Dacromet, selected against the service environment rather than against the price list. Coating thickness and neutral salt spray hours to ISO 9227. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### What material should Ball-Lock Pins (T-Handle) be for outdoor use? For damp, coastal or chemical environments specify A4 (316) stainless or a suitably coated steel. For indoor or dry use, A2 (304) stainless or zinc-plated steel is normally adequate. ### Are Ball-Lock Pins (T-Handle) made to a recognized standard? Yes — they are manufactured to Trade series (ball-lock quick pin), so dimensions are interchangeable between suppliers when you quote the standard on your order. ### What are Ball-Lock Pins (T-Handle) used for? Connections made and broken by hand many times, where a threaded fastener would be far too slow. They are supplied to Trade series (ball-lock quick pin). ### Which industries use Ball-Lock Pins (T-Handle)? They are commonly specified in jigs & fixtures, linkages & hinges and machine alignment, among other sectors. ### Can I get a quote for Ball-Lock Pins (T-Handle) in the size and material I need? Yes. Use the technical drawing and quote form on this page to set the size and options, then send the exact configuration to our team for pricing and lead time. ## Related Pages Product page: [Ball-Lock Pins (T-Handle) — specifications & sizes](https://engineeringhardware.com/fastener/ball-lock-pins/) ### Ball-Lock Pins (T-Handle) Specification Guides ### Related Fastener Applications