Thread: Dumb questions about pins from brass rods, got tips?

I got a 1/16" brass rod but it seems to be too hard to mushroom out the end.

when you say brass rod, is the rod solid or hollow?

i would call a hollow rod a brass tube. I saw both at the store and got the solid one figuring that it would be sturdier.


Someone said they used a 3/32" nail set to help peen the end. How exactly?

Any tips for drilling little holes in the anvil to help out? How to do a shallow 3/32" hole 1/16" deep or so to help mushroom the end?


Any other tips would be appreciated.

you must know what when you do this that it will take a bit if time. this is more about a study lite tap. several of them. i have had it take up 20 or so at least. the brass will start mushrooming as you hit it from the top down. it is really hard to explain but you want to hit it from the inside out if that makes any sense. and you must also vary your angle as you tap it, remeber tap not hit. it takes some practice.

+1 It takes a while using light taps. Use solid rod, not tubing. Brass gots work hardened when the rod is formed. If yo heat the ends and let it cool very slowly it will soften up a bit. When you take it out of the flame you use to heat it, get it really hot, take it out for a second and put it back in for a second. Repeat this increasing the time between flaming it bit keep the flaming time to a second. This will allow the brass to cool slowly. After several flamings let it air cool.

Its due to the alloy you bought. Do what Joed recommends and hopefully it will work out for you. If not, I forget what the alloy is called, but if you need the name, just ask.

Originally Posted by obsessis

I got a 1/16" brass rod but it seems to be too hard to mushroom out the end.

It's not

when you say brass rod, is the rod solid or hollow? Solid rod

i would call a hollow rod a brass tube. I saw both at the store and got the solid one figuring that it would be sturdier.


Someone said they used a 3/32" nail set to help peen the end. How exactly? DO NOT use a nail set to peen, only to shape the peened end after your done.... Trust me here this is a fast way to cracked scales and I do not recommend it to any one that hasn't done many razors

Any tips for drilling little holes in the anvil to help out? How to do a shallow 3/32" hole 1/16" deep or so to help mushroom the end?
The little 3/32 dimples, not holes help keep the razor/pin steady they have nothing to do with forming the peen....
Any other tips would be appreciated.

Put your finger on the anvil. yep I am serious take the hammer and tap your finger right on the edge of your fingernail , yeah the really sensitive part.... If it hurts your finger your tapping to hard...
Polish the ball end of the hammer and keep it polished...

Tap down and around when peening not just straight down you have to go around the outside of the peen, this is what takes practice to get the hang of it....

Look in the Wiki for the instructions I did and the video that Alex did....

Annealing the brass does help but I have never had to do that to rod stock only actual Estruntion (sp*) pins needed it...

Many many light taps work better than few hard taps...

Make sure you are using a file ...

Originally Posted by gssixgun

DO NOT use a nail set to peen, only to shape the peened end after your done....

Any tips for drilling little holes in the anvil to help out?
The little 3/32 dimples, not holes help keep the razor/pin steady they have nothing to do with forming the peen....

Make sure you are using a file ...

How do you use the nail set to shape the peened end when you are done?

For the dimples, can you just get a 3/32 drill bit and drill a very shallow hole? If not, how do you suggest to do it? How deep should I go?

What type of file do you suggest? I assume you are talking about filing the rod after you cut it to the desired length....


Thanks to everyone! I'm going to have to give it a try this weekend.

Originally Posted by obsessis

How do you use the nail set to shape the peened end when you are done?

Talent and lots of practice, this really is not a good tool for the inexperienced

For the dimples, can you just get a 3/32 drill bit and drill a very shallow hole? If not, how do you suggest to do it? How deep should I go?

Yes exactly, just the tip of the drill bit also do one with a 1/8" bit too

What type of file do you suggest? I assume you are talking about filing the rod after you cut it to the desired length....

I use this really really cheapo ChiCom POS that I got in one of the tool bins ya see everywhere like 6 files for $3 works great




Thanks to everyone! I'm going to have to give it a try this weekend.

Practice first on just a piece of scrap wood.....

Here's Glen's article in the wiki. It's invaluable, along with Alex's video at the bottom of the page. Hope it helps to give you an idea. I found my first pinning a bit of a nightmare, found this, & have had no problems since!

Originally Posted by gssixgun

Tap down and around when peening not just straight down you have to go around the outside of the peen, this is what takes practice to get the hang of it....Many many light taps work better than few hard taps...

As someone who's has peened just a few pins, the above statement is what I have found to be the golden nugget of advice for good looking peened pin heads.

Originally Posted by gssixgun

Practice first on just a piece of scrap wood.....

What is the 1/8" hole in the anvil used for?

Should I do a 1/16" hole also?



AS far as scrap wood, you are talking about practicing drilling a hole in the scrap wood?