Thread: Replacement pins

I was very disappointed with the quality of the replacement dovo pins from classic shaving. I opened them to find that the pins were too big for the little washers and I had to force them through, the end was poorly stamped off centre and also the pins were far too weak and bent in the middle rather than the end flattening out. Oh well, I guess the bending is probably my fault due to inexperience but I thought that the quality of the actual pin would be better. The end of a cheap steel nail would look better.

Hey Nick,
Sorry about your experience. I was just thinking about those very pins and possibly scales from Classic. I wondered about their installation for a Wapienica. How are they installed? Has anyone replaced their steel scales for somthing else and where do you pick them up?

I made my own scales for a wapienica. the pins are just a few brass nails and washers to be honest, not sure if you can get the same in a craft shop but probably. I'm not sure how the replacement scales are, but I will make my own as I prefer natural looking ones.
Oh and the other problem with the pins was the washers, they dug into the wood splitting the finish.

Don't be scared of peening. 1/16th brass rod and #0 washers make the best pins I have seen, and peening the ends over really isn't that tough.

Si

Originally Posted by Sunsi

Don't be scared of peening. 1/16th brass rod and #0 washers make the best pins I have seen, and peening the ends over really isn't that tough.

Si

I'm not scared of peening - I just don't know what it is ! I ass-u-me it is bending the end of the pin so that it doesn't come straight out. If so, how is that accomplished? I'm sure it is possible (anything's possible!) but a few more words of experience would be great.
Thanks.

Watching Bill Ellis's CD really shows the importance of how to peen the shaft. I'm trying to swipe my wifes jewelers hammer with that tiny ball peen side. I have some silver wire laying about, going to see if it's thick enough to use

Originally Posted by DEwey

I'm not scared of peening - I just don't know what it is ! I ass-u-me it is bending the end of the pin so that it doesn't come straight out. If so, how is that accomplished? I'm sure it is possible (anything's possible!) but a few more words of experience would be great.
Thanks.

I agree that Bill's CD is a good resource. If you can, get it. IT will answer most, if not all of the questions you'll have for restoration (and more).

However, if you do not have it....

To 'peen' the end, what you are doing is using a small hammer with a ballpeen end (the rounded end), and to the pin you lightly tap around the edge of the pin end with a glancing hit. As if you were hitting a nail with a hammer, but do not hit the pin straight on.... The amount of force that you glance around the edge is the same that you can stand by hitting the end of your finger. Anything more, and you run the risk of the pin bending. As you peen, or hit around the pin-end with the rounded side of a ballpeen hammer, the end of the pin will mushroom over, and round out. That' it!

(I hope that made sense... )

C utz

thats a very good description. also if you polish the hammer it helps with the glancing

Originally Posted by edk442

th...also if you polish the hammer it helps with the glancing....

That's true too!

Thanks C utz. Makes sense and of course I have heard of a ball peen hammer. Interesting.