Thread: Tightening pins

http://straightrazorpalace.com/works...mechanics.html
This was a very good discussion for the most part and if you read through it I think you will see how it all works together.

I'd like to jump in here if you don't mind, I have a couple of razors that became loose shortly after I got them back from being sent out. Is there a cheap easy solution to tighting or repining razors like Microbolt pin kits that I have seen on other websites. I would to take care of some stuff if its easy enough instead of constantly send out the razor.

thanks,

Originally Posted by Mafuzul

I'd like to jump in here if you don't mind, I have a couple of razors that became loose shortly after I got them back from being sent out. Is there a cheap easy solution to tighting or repining razors like Microbolt pin kits that I have seen on other websites. I would to take care of some stuff if its easy enough instead of constantly send out the razor.

thanks,

If all they need is to be tightened, it's dead easy. Find a solid surface (a little jeweler's anvil is ideal but anything hard from the side of a hammer head to the top of a vise, to... well, you get the picture), hold the razor so that the pin is supported on that solid surface. And then VERY gently tap around the end of the pin. You don't even need a hammer to do this - the back of a spoon will have enough heft to it. Whatever you do, don't use a full-sized hammer as you can very easily bend the pin and/or crack the scales. If you have a tiny little ball peen hammer that's ideal. And I do mean tiny - mine is a either a 2oz or 4oz hammer. Can't recall which. But seriously, the back of a spoon works fine.

Don't just hit straight down on the end of the pin but rather around the outer edge. This is why you want to use a rounded thing to strike it with.

And - this can't be stressed too much! - easy does it.

Originally Posted by JOB15

Ok so there is more to it than just a gap filler..

I will be using these cheap ebay horn scales on this W&B blade.

If I had the tools I would like to fashion the scales from wood.

Attachment 210742Attachment 210743

Well, I like the look of the original scales - I can see they are grubby but - assuming the pivot end is OK, I'd be tempted to clean them up. Again, the 'How To' wiki has lots of good ideas on scale cleaning and restoration.

Originally Posted by UKRob

Well, I like the look of the original scales - I can see they are grubby but - assuming the pivot end is OK, I'd be tempted to clean them up. Again, the 'How To' wiki has lots of good ideas on scale cleaning and restoration.

They are broken at the top with a piece missing .
Plus I like new shiny things.
The horn scales im using will do for a time or depending on the finished restoration of the blade, I haven't received it yet.
If there is a lot of hone ware or some other issues then i'll leave the horn on. If however it ends up shiny and a great shaver then ill consider better scales.

Originally Posted by Mafuzul

I'd like to jump in here if you don't mind, I have a couple of razors that became loose shortly after I got them back from being sent out. Is there a cheap easy solution to tighting or repining razors like Microbolt pin kits that I have seen on other websites. I would to take care of some stuff if its easy enough instead of constantly send out the razor.

thanks,

It depends what you mean by micro bolts. The ones regularly used for mocking scales prior to final fitting (available from Micro Fasteners) - are small enough to use on most old and new razors - but not really suitable for a final result. The alternatives used by a few of the custom makers (with hex heads) are too big for use in old razors as they will not fit through the pivot hole. It's possible to re-drill the pivot - but not easy with tempered steel.

Originally Posted by UKRob

but not really suitable for a final result.

that clears that up, back to just tightening up the pin then

I've also just realised that the pin holes were drilled at an angle. I've marked them out in the picture below:

Originally Posted by JOB15

I've also just realised that the pin holes were drilled at an angle. I've marked them out in the picture below:

That looks to be quite some angle - does the blade close to the left when assembled? Apart from bad workmanship, the only reason I can suggest is that it was done deliberately because the blade itself is way out of straight.

I'd be tempted to fill the pivot with epoxy and start again with a straight hole. See what you get for trying to help your BiL.

I think there may be more going on here than first glance. Put it together with microbolts first to see hoe it dummies up.