Humbling Experience

Well today I picked up a 1/16" punch and used six's method of scale removal. So I had a couple of blades that I liked that originally had bad scales and also had a couple of razors I didn't care about that had usable scales but quite old. What I figured out was that the hands of an experience resto guy must be invaluable because I broke the first three scales I trie to unpin. Finally on the fourth set I had success probably because they were not as old and brittle.

Let's hope the next time will be easier!!!!

Hi - my findings, for what they are worth:

When the head of the pin is peened over the washer it flares out, increasing it's thickness. I have found that this flaring is enough to hold the washer/s on, even when the head of the pin has been filed off - I usually have to keep filing until the pin is almost flush with the scale before knocking it out, and even then I have to be careful as the flaring can still be present enough to make a small lip over the scale or bind on the sides of the hole in the scale. Especially so when the pin was too long in the first place and the pinner has gone to town on it and given it a good walloping (a sign of which is a bent pin between the scales).

I don't use a proper punch - a bit of 1/16th nickel-steel rod about an inch long is all I need, filed to a smaller diameter at the business end. It's stronger than brass, and if you use too much force it will bend, so you learn not to use too much force. I place the unfiled pin side the scale over a small hole drilled in the benchtop, hold the makeshift punch over the filed-off pin and give it a few taps with a small hammer. If it moves easily, I carry on until I can move the top scale out of the way, remove the blade and cut off the other end of the pin before pulling it through with pliers.

If it doesn't move, it may still be a bit flared out. I fit a small round diamond-coated burr in the dremel and cut a cup into the end of the pin, being careful not to overheat it as the scale may melt, or I use a small drill bit. Then I try the punch again. The cupped end of the pin will have very thin metal up against the scale hole, and this is often thin enough to be pushed in by the sides of the scale (which is why I grind the makeshift punch to a smaller diameter at the pin end, to allow for the sides of the old pin bunching in around it).

If you have a pillar drill AND the correct diameter bit AND the scales are wood or something else that won't melt AND a bit of good luck you can drill down into the pin. I don't like doing this though - for me its asking for disaster to happen.

Regards,
Neil.

Thanks Neil alot of great advice!!! Unfortunately me being the bull in a china closet I have to break a few plates befor I start thinking instead of doing. I guess I really missed judeged the brittleness and delicate nature of the older scales. I am much beter now for the whole experience.

so far I have only removed scales that I didn't want to keep. I hit them on the belt grinder, the pins that is, then go over and get them started out with a punch and use my pliers to yank them through, has worked good on 3 sets.

Red

This isn't really advice about pins but more of "I feel your pain" pat on the back. I too have wrecked a set of scales but worse was when I was buffing a Boker King Kutter with a dremel and felt pad, caught the edge, and blew a 1/4" chip out of the blade:gaah:. Usually the hard lessons leave the most lasting impressions...

I have been using a little ignition file to bring the pin flat with the washer. Then a little punch in the middle and on to the drill press with a 1/16 bit. I drill down until the washer pops off and then use the 1/16 punch to get the pin out the other side. So far working pretty well. The only time I have had problems is when the washer has been recessed into the old scales.

Lynn

Quote:

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Originally Posted by OLD_SCHOOL

Some pins are complete PITA to remove, they may be bent, or the exact perfect same size as the hole. The punch should work fine, just remember to file the head clean off. Use some electrical tape too, to avoid scratching the scales.

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Thats a great tip old school for some reason I hadn't even thought about using tape for protection. I have been moving slow and lots of prayer till now!!!!

Thanks for the other advice also guys!

Lynn, I'm trying not to have to buy a drill press at this point. I think I would rather invest in a belt sander for some nice homemade scales............lol