Thread: Help--I can't get my scales off!

You can use a power tool, or you can go very slowly. Mark the center of the pin with a sharp prick punch, or a #11 exacto blade. Then use a smaller drill bit and a pin vice to slowly drill out the center part of the pin. You will not have to drill very deep. Sometimes pins will thicken flare a bit down from the washer.

You can also try heating the pin with a solder iron to soften the scales right next to the pin.

Charlie

Originally Posted by spazola

You can also try heating the pin with a solder iron to soften the scales right next to the pin.

Now that's a good thought! Keep in mind, a little melt, nick, scratch around the pin is probably okay, as you'll be putting some kind of washer around it (I assume). You have the width of this washer as a nice no-show work zone.

I'd give Charlie's idea a try- he's done a lot more of these than I have!

Lol, there's definitely a temperature theme going on here.

Okay I've come to the conclusion these are very hard pins. They must be made of steel because they're even a b**** to drill. I'm trying to drill a very small hole in the center of the pin, and at the same time I think this is causing the pin to heat up and give me that advantage as well. But these guys are hard!

I used the dremel with no problem. The key was to go with the center punch and to drill for only a couple seconds at a time making sure your on track needless to say a lot of start-stop-start-stop. Honestly I had more issues using the small drill press my father handed over to me. What really will help if you have to go the dremel route is to get a foot pedal switch (if you've got the corded style dremel that is). Either way with those extremely small bits on a not so even surface you'll need to choke up on the bit with the chuck to help increase the stability of the bit your using.

Originally Posted by hornm

I used the dremel with no problem. The key was to go with the center punch and to drill for only a couple seconds at a time making sure your on track needless to say a lot of start-stop-start-stop. Honestly I had more issues using the small drill press my father handed over to me. What really will help if you have to go the dremel route is to get a foot pedal switch (if you've got the corded style dremel that is). Either way with those extremely small bits on a not so even surface you'll need to choke up on the bit with the chuck to help increase the stability of the bit your using.

This is basically the route I am going, and there seems to be some progress made, will keep you guys posted.