Thread: Pin material??

I am just wondering is aluminum a good choice for pin material? In actuality it is aluminum tig rod that is 1/16th in diameter. If this is a bad choice I will find some brass to go with, thanks guys

I have never heard of anyone using aluminum for pinning. I suspect that it would likely be too soft. Copper get used from time to time but it is not very popular either, and I suspect that it too is too soft.

I have had 1 vintage that had Ali pins they were bent up all over the place
better sticking to brass or nickel silver items

Thank you Rezdog and Substance I was thinking it would be to soft. I will wait until I can get to a store and get brass, I was getting excited and trying to rush a bit I will calm down and go with tried and true rather than re work and wasted time.

I have seen it said many times "rush a restore and ruin a razor" it is best to take your time and do it once.

Originally Posted by RezDog

I have seen it said many times "rush a restore and ruin a razor" it is best to take your time and do it once.

That is well put, it is my first one so I don't want to ruin it by any means. Thanks again

Aluminium will generate galvanic corrosion in contact with steel, and can, with time, be eroded by friction also. IDK if noticeable in this case, but is possible.

Originally Posted by Matheus

Aluminium will generate galvanic corrosion in contact with steel, and can, with time, be eroded by friction also. IDK if noticeable in this case, but is possible.

Any of the metals we use to pin razors will cause galvanic corrosion (dissimilar metal corrosion). There are charts to gage the likely severity. I've seen steel, copper, brass and nickel-silver used for pins but never aluminum. In the mid 1880's aluminum was rare and worth more than gold which explains why we don't see it in pre-1890 razors. Why we do not see it in 20th century razors I'm not sure.
I would follow Rezdog's advise and wait until you can get some brass or nickel-silver.
Good luck with your first restore.
Karl

Originally Posted by karlej

Any of the metals we use to pin razors will cause galvanic corrosion (dissimilar metal corrosion). There are charts to gage the likely severity. I've seen steel, copper, brass and nickel-silver used for pins but never aluminum. In the mid 1880's aluminum was rare and worth more than gold which explains why we don't see it in pre-1890 razors. Why we do not see it in 20th century razors I'm not sure.
I would follow Rezdog's advise and wait until you can get some brass or nickel-silver.
Good luck with your first restore.
Karl

Thanks for the added advice karlej, I found some brass micro fasteners that fit perfectly so for now I am going to go with that until I can get some brass rod and try that. If I could just get a day off work I would have more time for tinkering

Originally Posted by ejmolitor37

I am just wondering is aluminum a good choice for pin material? In actuality it is aluminum tig rod that is 1/16th in diameter. If this is a bad choice I will find some brass to go with, thanks guys

Brass better and more reliable.