Thread: First pin

It's a process learning to pin and cracking scales is one of the many pitfalls along the learning curve. I think most of us have probably done it. Pivot end patches are tough though, especially for celluloid. Patches on horn work a little better but they are still subject to failure. One thing I have found improves success is waiting for glue to dry thoroughly, in particular epoxy. It's easy to get impatient, not even impatient really just trusting it too soon. You have to almost leave it and forget about it. Even best practices still fail though.

There are methods though that work pretty well. You can cut a trough or troughs in the inside and glue in pins. That works pretty well. You have to be careful not to cut too deep or the pin will show through even on dark horn or celluloid. There are threads around on it, I posted some in the, "what are you working on" thread I believe. Others have posted some also.

That is a good thread for a thorough read through if you want to learn techniques and tricks. It's long but chock full if information. Mike has posted a ton of repair work there as have others. Lots of people have been very generous with their skill and knowledge in that thread.

I used CA glue on those scales and waited 4 days. When I use epoxy on knife handles and things like that I usually wait 5 to7 days. I also learned JB weld doesn't harden enough when using for acrylic scales dries and feels more like a rubbery plastic.

If you meam the clear weld, I have had that same experience. What I said about waiting it out especially appies to it. I have waited several weeks and it did finally get hard, rock hard. Generally speaking the longer epixy takes to harden the better strength it will have in the end.

I only do surface patches and fill delamination with ca now. For the cracks it has had a bad track record for me.

Ah I only waited 5 days with the clear weld I also mixed some of the acrylic fines from sanding into it. Could that have made it softer?

I'm not a chemist but I doubt it. It seems crazy that it should take that long to cure but it will eventually cure hard.