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

I've filed the pins down to almost flush with the plastic and no matter how hard I bang on them with a punch, they won't budge!

The odd thing about these pins is they didn't look like the typical two-part peened pin over washer idea, but rather were just a single part, round semi-sphere at both ends.

I filed both ends and they just look like smooth circles. I really don't want to damage the scales as they're the reason I bought the razor.

Any ideas?

Ah of course, why didn't I think of it sooner: drill em out!

Sadly I only have a Dremel-type tool so drilling might not be super easy. But it's the best bet I have right now...

DO NOT DRILL WITH YOUR DREMEL!!

The bit will seek the path of least resistance....the scales, not the pin... you will wobble right into the scales and ruin them.

You NEED a drill press and some sort of jig to hold the razor, period.

Originally Posted by BKratchmer

DO NOT DRILL WITH YOUR DREMEL!!

The bit will seek the path of least resistance....the scales, not the pin... you will wobble right into the scales and ruin them.

You NEED a drill press and some sort of jig to hold the razor, period.

Ah good point, thanks for the warning.

Unfortunately I have no drill press. Any other options?

You might try putting them in the freezer for 10 minutes or so, then GENTLY tapping the pin. This *might* damage the scales, and they'll be extra brittle cold... but it might shrink down the pin enough to slip it out.

Hmm, good idea. Could this damage the steel of the blade at all?

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!

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.

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!