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So I'm wondering about good and bad pin materials. I know that brass and NiAg are used, but what about other metals? Copper? Carbon steel? Aluminum? What are the qualities of metal that make for good pins, other than resistance to water and plasticity?
Thanks!
Jim
The ideal metal would be:
-Ductile enough to peen
-Hard enough to stay tight after peening
-Chemically inert and stable in the presence of soap, water, oxygen etc.
-Visually appealing
-Cost effective
Carbon steel is too brittle and rusts easily
Aluminum and copper are too ductile and will loosen easily
Bronze may be a valid candidate, but I don't know where to get 1/16" bronze rod stock
Sterling Silver, platinum and gold (assuming it's on the hard side, say 10c or less) would likely work but be cost prohibitive
If you're not using the peening technique in pinning you may need to re-evaluate.
Thanks Dan, that helps.
I'm just looking at the options because I'm having trouble finding brass rod. I can find aluminum, and copper, and carbon and stainless steel...and I was thinking the copper or aluminum might be ok. I guess not.
I wonder how soft the stainless is?
Jim... when I send you the brush... I'll throw in a few short pieces of brass and Nickel silver (plenty for a few razors).
Dave, that's too generous. Thank you!
Jim these should be available at most hardware stores even in Japan....
http://www.rjleahy.com/store/nails/brassesctcheon.htm
Couple of hints; Make sure you get pure brass ones, and also it helps to heat them up with a torch first, even a good lighter, like one of the butane wind proofs, would probably works to soften the brass slightly before peening....
Put the pin in from the show side to get that perfect rounded pin on that side and peen from the back....
:gl:
Wow, guys, lots of great advice. Thanks!
And that escutcheon pin idea is fantastic, Glen! Thanks!
That should be wiki'd...
No really Jim it shouldn't be, they work in a pinch, but honestly 1/16 brass or nickel silver rod is the best....
I got 1/16 bronze rod at the welding supply, thinking I was getting brass. I WAS goign to take it back but like most things never did. Might try it since I've got it here anyways.
Red
I'm curious where you are able to purchase nickel silver, an excellent choice. I have some 1/16 SS filler rod left over from the sink foundry but even with annealing (which might not be productive with SS), it's very hard to work with.Quote:
Originally Posted by Del1r1um
I use sterling silver and it costs less then most material I have found. Now 14 and 18kt gold is expensive. The most expensive material is the stuff direct from DOVO. Stupid prices for a simple pin and washer. Silver looks great on ebony and ivory.
Silver is about $14 for a metre of 1.6mm rod. Actually it comes in a coil.
It is not the easiest material to peen however , it takes longer than soft copper/brass mixes.
Try searching under "jewellers fines". Check out the bead washers for pin washers.
I am using brass 1/16 or 1.6mm (6 lengths of 30cm £4) from my local train model shop with tubing for those washers and recentlu found source of silver nickel 1.16 same length for simmilar price. Onlu trouble is to get silver nickel for washers. I have located it in sheet form but so far I am unlucky in tubing any sugestions?
Jim,
Bill Ellis sent me to these guys for pin material.
K&S Brass Rod 1/16" (15)
They work well and don't rust.
Phil
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gunner777
K&S displays of metal products are available at just about every hardware store in the US even up here in BF Idaho.... I can find 1/16 Brass rod...
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gunner777
Thanks for that Phil! Not only do they ship internationally, but they do it at REASONABLE RATES! That's perfect!
Good deal Jim I'm glad it helped:-)
You can get 1/16" brass , and nickel silver rod from Heimerdinger Cutlery , www.heimerdingercutlery.com . Go to "knifemaking supplies" , then go to "rods and tubes for knifemaking" .
That is a darn good website. It also has my other passion and that's knife collecting. I refinish them but it's time to give a shot at making one. They sure have some nice Solingen Bowie blades!
They sure do ! I plan on doing some of them , too .:tuQuote:
Originally Posted by Gunner777
What'd you do, blow through the brass rod I sent you already? :roflmao Re-scaling razors that fast, huh? :rolleyes: :roflmao :roflmao
I'm PRACTICING! :gaah:Quote:
Originally Posted by Truckman
Actually, I'm a tinkerer..Ive been making (i use the word loosely...) "projects" and the supplies are dwindling.
That's cool...I just picked up some 1/8x3x24 cocobolo from Woodcraft....getting closer....:rolleyes:Quote:
Originally Posted by JimR