Thread: Varying the Pin Sze?

I'm working on my first set of custom scales (brushed alluminum), but I'm stuggling for pins. I have access to 2-56 machine screws, but my understanding is that the standard is 1/16" (or 0-80 screws). I'm not ready yet to remove the old scales as it is still in working order, so my questions are as follows...

Would a 2-56 be likely to fit? I assume no, so has anyone ever modified the pivot to fit a larger pin?

Obviously once the mod is done, it's stuck with 2-56 size. No one panic, it's an el-cheapo razor from a local antique shop. any and all comments welcome.

On pins that I needed to make larger than 1/16 I took a larger diameter brass machine screw and cut off the head. Then I put it in a drill press then resting a file against it I reduced the diameter to what I needed. I then just used tight fiting brass washers and peened the ends. Worked fine.

Originally Posted by Tony A

On pins that I needed to make larger than 1/16 I took a larger diameter brass machine screw and cut off the head. Then I put it in a drill press then resting a file against it I reduced the diameter to what I needed. I then just used tight fiting brass washers and peened the ends. Worked fine.

Tony I believe he means oping up the pivot hole in the actual tang of the razor to accept larger diameter pins. Not making large diameter pins smaller. Anyway, I haven't really tried it, but it depends on the razor. Some older razors definitely have bigger holes, others are right at 1/16". I haven't had the need to try to open up a pivot hole but I imagine it would be similar to regrinding a point in that you need to keep the heat down. Also, it is hardened steel so I doubt any normal drill bit will even begin to make a dent. Why not just buy 1/16" brass rod instead of using screws?

That's what I'm leaning towards... I just hate spending the extra money (yes, I am a cheap skate for some things) when I have almost suitable hardware sitting here at no expense. I guess I'll go to the hobby shop and see what I can wrangle up...

The closest I have ever come to actually enlarging a pivot hole, was on a W&B with extreme wear in the original pivot hole.... It just need to be "Cleaned" up and rounded they normally wear into an oval shape....
I rounded it up and then sleaved it with 1/16 ID brass tubing...
I guess I could have gone the other direction and used slightly larger pins but that didn't really occur to me....
BTW way goes pretty easy with high quality bits, a drill press, and lots of cutting oil....

For enlarging a hole in hardened steel and saving the cost of having to ream the hole, buy a carbide single flute drill bit from a machinery supply house (MSC, ENCO, Travers, McMaster-Carr, etc.). It will give you a perfectly round hole, unlike "normal" drill bits which provide a triangular hole, hence the need to ream them circular. Everything needs to be clamped square to the long axis of the spine, especially if the tang is tapered, that way the pin runs through exactly perpendicular to the whole blade, centering it in the scales, rather than being perpendicular to one side of the tang only and putting an odd angle into the relationship of the blade to scales.

As Glen has suggested, making a bushing with the right ID is then possible, even to threading the ID of the bushing. I have tubular threaded pivots that take 2-56 screws that are 1/8 diameter O.D. Then there are 3/16 sleeves threaded for 4/40. Lots of ways to skin this kitty.

Upon further investigation, the blade is a little loose with the 1/16" replacement pin from ClassicShaving (I bent the pin while peening... hence the new project of custom scales). Once I get the new scales shaped I'll give it a go with the 2-56 screws and see if it fits. Keep the comments coming though as it seems many of you have dealt with this in some form or another...

Well, the new scales are on. The pivot hole on this vintage razor was damn near 1/4"... No wonder it was so loose in the otehr scales. I just have the scales up to 220 grit to get all the tools marks out - now it's on to polishing... Pics to follow when complete.