Thread: How do you remove pins

I want to repin but how do you remove the pins

Im sure some one with way more experience will chime in too,as i've only gotten around to removing one set...but i used a file to file off the head flush to the scale and then push the pin through the other side using the pointy end of the file, it worked for me.
Do you want to keep the scales? is so you might want to tape the scale so is stays undamaged. If you happen to have a drill press use that with a very small sharp bit and drill it out.
The best advice i have is GO SLOW and be very mindful of whats going on or you can end up in trouble real quick.
Goodluck!

Grinding wheel on one of my dremel’s. I just grind the top off the peen and knock the pin out using a small finishing hammer and 1/16 inch punch but I do a few a week. Or open the razor, take some dikes (wire cutters) and just cut one scale in half then twist it and break it off the pin, cut the pivot pin out with the dikes.

I've removed all of ONE (1) pin, so I'm absolutely no kind of expert, but my efforts accomplished the task without damaging the scale.

Dremel makes a diamond bit with a teeny little (sub 1/16") ball on the end. I used it to make a dent in the middle of the pin and then made the dent into a cavity deeper than the washer. Under-cutting the washer with tiny circular motion will pop the end of the pin off. And then tap out the pin with your 1/16 drift pin.

Of coarse if you have a drill press, use that.

I've had some problems using a rotary tool. Some people use it to take the pins off, but in my experience that's a quick way to scratch your scales.
I definitely suggest trying to file the pins off, it's much safer, but that's my own opinion.

Originally Posted by Leon

I've had some problems using a rotary tool. Some people use it to take the pins off, but in my experience that's a quick way to scratch your scales.
I definitely suggest trying to file the pins off, it's much safer, but that's my own opinion.

Or, file nice and flat, put a dimple in with a sharp-pointed Exacto knife, then use a 1/16 bit in a DRILL PRESS on slow, or even better, a bit chucked in a pin vise, to drill out. After you have gone about 1 mm down, switch to a 3/32 bit, so you get the peen off. I tend to prefer non-power tools for this kind of delicate operation. ("De-pin in haste, re-scale at leisure.")

Using a 1/16" drill bit in a dremel sometimes works. You have to hold it very lightly above the pin until it makes a small divot, then press a little harder to start drilling. Have a glass of cold water near by and continuously dip the pinned end in to cool it down and to rinse the cutting out. Eventually you undercut the pin like Shuredgefan said.

That being said, the drill bit tends to jump off the pin and gouge the handles a fair bit. Or you over heat the pin and melt into the scale. All in all I've have about 60% success rate, so I'm going to switch methods and try filing and punching.

Or instead of using the wire cutters just break them with you hands.