Thread: Metal Rods / Pins

Hi, I need some advise please .

I purchased some pins and collars from the bay. The rods are advertised as 1.5mm thickness .

Tried today to pin some new scales. The rods don't fit the pre drilled holes in the scales because they are too thick.

A 1.5mm drill bit fits the holes fine but not the rods I bought .I've ordered a 1.6mm drill bit to widen the holes in the scales and started looking online for pinning rods.

I have found a place advertising rods at 1/16th thickness which converts to 1.5875mm so that explains why the rods I purchased are thicker than 1.5mm, I think.

Before ordering these new rods they are sold as "260 Brass Alloy" and "360 Brass Alloy" . Which ones should I go for? The Nickel is 752 nickel also.

Many thanks..

That's funny, seems to be some fat rods out there. I've had the same issue and I've read that some others have too.

Keep in mind lots of German razors (and perhaps others) have pin holes in the scales which are a bit smaller than the standard 1/16 rod we typically use. A pin-vice and 1/16 bit will enlarge them easily.

Welcome to the world of multiple drill bits, AND reamers, in plus and minus sizes. Buy a small stout caliper and check everything before you drill the hole.

A drill bit tends to make a triangular hole. Even if the rod is sized properly it might not fit the drilled hole. My teachers showed me to drill very slightly undersized then ream the hole round in the proper diameter. Things fit much nicer that way.

A diamond burr from Harbor Freight, ($8 for the set) and a pin vice will taper the hole to size nicely. Fifth from the left hand side works well for me.

Beveling the pin hole peens and fills evenly, is stronger and less chance of splitting thin scales.

Originally Posted by Euclid440

A diamond burr from Harbor Freight, ($8 for the set) and a pin vice will taper the hole to size nicely. Fifth from the left hand side works well for me.

Beveling the pin hole peens and fills evenly, is stronger and less chance of splitting thin scales.

Yes, more bits n bobs to buy on Ebay ..I'm happy when I shop online

yep have had this myself 1/16" is 1.587mm so the 1.6mm drill will be slightly loose & the 1/16" should be spot on.

Also on a side note my 1.6mm pin punch needed skimming down slightly also to avoid cracking scales as it was tight in a 1/16" hole as I couldn't get a 1/16" or 1.5mm here when I bought it.
good luck & don't forget to post your work when done hey

Originally Posted by Substance

yep have had this myself 1/16" is 1.587mm so the 1.6mm drill will be slightly loose & the 1/16" should be spot on.

Also on a side note my 1.6mm pin punch needed skimming down slightly also to avoid cracking scales as it was tight in a 1/16" hole as I couldn't get a 1/16" or 1.5mm here when I bought it.
good luck & don't forget to post your work when done hey

Will do.
I've bought some scales all ready to go but its turned into a big job.
Swapping the wedge and those one sided nail pins. Then I noticed a scuff so I decided to sand them down a bit (Ebony). I'm treating them with finishing oil which will take a good few coats for the desired effect.
I'm getting into restoration so I don't mind messing about with these.

I've had something similar happen with washers: some of the nickel rods I bought are 1.62 mm diam and the washers (same vendor) are sized a little smaller - possibly 1/16" exactly (1.59 mm) internal diameter. You can't easily ream a 1/16" SS washer so I've sanded the rod down the necessary 0.03 mm - i.e. just over a thou in the old money. I haven't had the same issue with brass rods as they've all been OK for 1/16 nominal ID washers.