Thread: Brass pins

If you're in the market for brass pins, go to your neighborhood hardware store and get a pack of brass escutcheon pins -- they will likely be near the linoleum nails and brads. They're 1.6 mm in diameter and usually come in different lengths, starting with 5/8. They will work perfectly and save you from having to peen both ends as you would have to do if using brass rod. Chances are, though, that you'll just have to look for them on your own at the hardware store because a lot of sales clerks won't know what an escutcheon pin is.

1 pack will be enough to last many, many years. I picked up a pack that will last me for a lifetime for $3.29.

Great idea! i will look for them.

Some hints on using these...

1.) Make sure they are "Pure Brass" there are some that are just coated..

2.) These are hardened brass, I would recommend annealing them first..

3.) Most are slightly smaller than the 1/16 brass rod so they don't work real well with the oversize holes on some of the older Sheffields...

Originally Posted by gssixgun

Some hints on using these...

1.) Make sure they are "Pure Brass" there are some that are just coated..

2.) These are hardened brass, I would recommend annealing them first..

3.) Most are slightly smaller than the 1/16 brass rod so they don't work real well with the oversize holes on some of the older Sheffields...

How would one go about annealing them? I'm not familiar with the process.

There is a huge thread about it on here some place but to put it simply.. Heat them to red hot and let them air cool that does the trick for me...
Some people quench them but I never have...

Air cool or quench - it doesn't matter for softening the brass. The key is to get it to at least 670 degrees - how it cools matters not. Red hot is more than needed, but for a rivet it doesn't matter and may actually be helpful. I anneal brass cartridge cases and quench only so I don't have to worry where my hands are and where the hot metal is.

good luck,

Originally Posted by gssixgun

There is a huge thread about it on here some place but to put it simply.. Heat them to red hot and let them air cool that does the trick for me...
Some people quench them but I never have...

Thanks for the advice. One more question. Does the heating discolor the brass? If so, is there a way to prevent it?