so i'm getting ready to take my first steps into restoration and have a few quick questions:

what is the common size for making pins? I seem to remember seeing 1/16" was the recommended size and a quick check with a ruler seems to verify but i just want to mak sure

what are the best metals to use for making pins? the popular suggestion seems to be brass, but what about aluminum or stainless steel?

what size tubing should be used to make collars for the pin? it obviously should be slightly larger than 1/16" to fit over the pin. when i look online for different size tubes, the size is listed as diameter and i don't know whether that means diameter of the hole in the tubing, or the diameter of the tube itself. any help here?

anyone have a quick method for making pivot bearings? what thickness should they be?

what is your prefered size for felt polishing wheels for use with a dremel? right now i've only experiemented with the 1/2" and 1" wheels that came with the tool. i like the control i have with the 1/2" but they seem to dissapear pretty fast

anyone know where i can find a piece of brass thick enough to use for a wedge? (either online or what kind of store where one might typically find it locally)

whats the best way to straighten a set of scales. I was thinking of dunking them in boiling water then flattening them. I've heard this used with success. How long do they need to be boiled?

thanks in advance