Thread: How to Remove Pins from Your Straights

I'm actually going up to Lee Valley tomorrow. Jason, if you need a ride, just say the word.

I picked up mine from Think & Tinker along with lots of other PC-board making supplies, techniques and ideas.

The only thing to watch out for with the carbide bits is that they don't flex at all. Any sideways motion and the bit will snap.

Not a big deal you say because it is only 1/guzzillionth of a dollar per bit, but consider that many times the bit will snap in the hole you are trying to drill. When that happens your hole-to-be is now plugged up with jammed in carbide.

Trying to get that bit of carbide out without ruining whatever you were drilling is an interesting experience.

I'll second that... Had a heck of time fixing the hole afterwards.

For the few I've done, I've just used a triangle file and filed the pin down until the washer pops off; then I punch the remaining pin thru the scale.

Are there some pins that have the washer integral with the pin so that you'd have to completely grind everything down to the scale to get it off?

I use the hand file, also. Cover the washer with masking tape, and file away. When it's almost done, open the razor all the way through, the pressure will pop off the washer.

Nenad

I cover the washer with tape and then drill out the pin using an old centrifugal Archimedean drill and a 0.8mm drill bit to start and then moving to a bit slightly smaller than the razor pin.