Thread: Pin "doming" tool

In Bill Ellis' restoration CD, he displays and uses a small cupped rotary file that comes from Rio Grande. Since I really care nothing about paying $10 for the catalogue (at the moment this is all that I'm interested in finding), does anyone know where I can purchase some of these?

I'd also be interested in hearing/seeing what you use to 'dome' your pins. I've seen so many scales displayed with immaculately domed pins. Please share your technique.

Danny I use a doming and dapping set to make the domed pins, I'll send you a set when I send the razors back to you so you can see how they work....
Some of the guys are using a squashed tubing method to actiually make their washers by hand...
The trick is to make sure that the peening of the pin does not crush the washer flat, but still allows it to tighten the pins to hold the razor tight...

Thanks for your reply Glen. I had read your post re: making domed washers. But was curious, as well, about how to get the pins to look so perfectly rounded as some do. I understand need for a drilled anvil/bucking bar (to help form the rounded look... 'patient' peening... and flip/flopping the razor to ensure both sides are forming alike. So many of the pins, themselves, that I see from a lot of the restorers just look symmetrical. Just wanted to gleen from you experts!

Thx, ahead of time, for the set of washers!

So... what do you guys do to get the pins so round domed?

Originally Posted by The Blacksmith

So... what do you guys do to get the pins so round domed?

Just peen them! After a while it just kind of happens. Like you know how the brass or whatever will respond to the repeated taps. Some guys polish them which I'm sure helps. Sorry if I can't help more, but you kind of need to just experiment yourself to get it right.

I don't use a dapping block like Glen. I just use a hammer turned on its side (it was all that was hard, metal, and lying around at the time!) with a little dimple drilled into it to rest the pin in when I am peening the opposite side. I think that helps to NOT flatten them out when you are peening and flipping the razor.

I gotta agree with Alex it is kinda hard to explain how to do it, ya just sorta try different taps until you get it right. I also have a Dimple in the anvil side of my vise to keep the pin from flattening out and to keep the razor from moving when I am tapping the pins...
The only two "tricks" I could tell you about are 1.) flatten the pin with a file before your first hammer strike, that seems to yield a more uniform look.... and 2.) Popsicle sticks make for great practice "scales"

I get it...

Thanks

Originally Posted by The Blacksmith

In Bill Ellis' restoration CD, he displays and uses a small cupped rotary file that comes from Rio Grande. Since I really care nothing about paying $10 for the catalogue (at the moment this is all that I'm interested in finding), does anyone know where I can purchase some of these?

I'd also be interested in hearing/seeing what you use to 'dome' your pins. I've seen so many scales displayed with immaculately domed pins. Please share your technique.

I can order them from Rio Grande for you if you would like. I am studying jewelery so I get it for free. that catalog that is.