Abstract: A connecting element for wooden or plastic parts including a rigid elongated plastic member with a modulus of elasticity from 500-15,000 having a front end, an opposite end and an outer surface. The outer surface has projections extending radially outwardly and is elastically and plastically deformable. The projections proximate the front end and have sloping flanks facing the front end and rear flanks opposing the sloping flanks and are inclined opposite the sloping flanks. Cross-sectional areas formed in the projections between corresponding rear flanks and radially extending planes formed perpendicular to a central axis extending along the member consists of at least 10% of the total cross-sectional area of the projections.