Thread: New method for sleeving oversized pivots

I was just repinning an old Sheffield blade tonight and came up with a simple and effective way to take up the slack in an oversized pivot. Note, it worked on a pivot hole that was not only larger than my sleeved pin, but also had a depression from the outside edge of the tang. Pictures make it clearer:

The example razor is a Joseph Allen & Sons. Note the negative space around the pivot hole


First we use the #0 flat washers (.065 x .125 x .017) which fit nicely inside the depression but did not slip all the way through the pivot hole:


Following the #0 washers on each side, the wide washers (.062 x .188 x .015) act as a thrust washer and hold the spacer in.


and then a pic when the whole setup is snugged into the pivot.


The limitations to this method are:
If the pivot hole is too large and the #0 washers slip through (although you could still use the washers as thin sleeves I suppose) or the relief is too large for the small washer to take up enough slack.
Also, while I've seen this negative space pivot in more than a few Sheffields, if it is not present you may have to drill the relief yourself so the small washer will fit flush with the tang.

So far it has worked in practice with razor, I plan on trying it in the future. Enjoy!

This is a good idea, thanks! I suppose if the washer doesn't quite fit, you could try hammering it in with the point of a nail. It would deform like when doming a washer until it slips into the pivot hole. Haven't tried it myself, but I could see it work.

Ingenious but I think the method of inserting brass tubing would be better. Even if you have to drill it out slightly, it would be less likely to shift or wear out. For very large holes you can insert smaller brass tubes into larger.

I thought about something similar. My method would be to fill the hole with epoxy and then stick a washer on either side to set up with the epoxy.

Great job! Heck the way I see it is what ever gets the job done. Now personally, like hart said, I sleeve mine with brass tubing. What ever floats your boat I guess.

For those who have not tried the brass tubing method, give it a go. It is cheap and easy to find at hobby shops and works really well. That said, whatever works works.

I have a razor that suffers from a very sloppy pivot hole - one might describe it as a wizard's sleeve.

I'm considering trying the epoxy route since I'm not overly keen on drilling through the tang, which I imagine will be a right nightmare.

Originally Posted by Christel

I have a razor that suffers from a very sloppy pivot hole - one might describe it as a wizard's sleeve.

I'm considering trying the epoxy route since I'm not overly keen on drilling through the tang, which I imagine will be a right nightmare.

I've drilled one (but have yet to put on scales) and expected it to be brutal. It wasn't in the least, surprisingly easy with a basic 1/8th bit that didn't need to take out too much metal. With a little reaming, the tube fits snugly and looks square.

Hmmm, thank you for that! your reply has given me the confidence to sleeve it rather that just drill through epoxy. I'll. Just have to track down some tubing of the right size now.

Originally Posted by Christel

Hmmm, thank you for that! your reply has given me the confidence to sleeve it rather that just drill through epoxy. I'll. Just have to track down some tubing of the right size now.

I got mine in a hobby store that primarily deals in trains. There are half a dozen sizes that are all sized to fit inside each other right down to the 1/16th rod.

Funny thing is the proprietor asked my what I was working on and when I told him he said another guy was in last week getting brass for a razor restore too.