Abstract: This invention has for its purpose the provision of a plastic dowel fastener designed to give superior attachment of furniture parts in relation to the commonly used wooden dowel. The gripping action of the plastic dowel of the invention is obtained by the provision of a construction of socket gripping fins and stabilizing formations on the elongated dowel body. The fins act to lock the dowel within a socket in a furniture part and the stabilizing formations act to prevent relative movement of the furniture parts which are joined by the plastic dowel.