Thread: My (prototype) pinning system

Well here goes... It may take a few posts to get the pics online...
The jig below is a piece of steel scrap which has 3 holes drilled in it ... a 1/8" hole, a 1/16" hole that proved to be unnecessary, and a combination (stepped) hole that is 1/8" inch part way thru and then slightly smaller than 1/16" the rest of the way thru (actually, I used a #53 drill bit). I made the blind 1/8" hole then continued drilling the #53, which self centred in the bottom of the tapered end of the 1/8" hole.

I hope the pics below work out in the right order to show the steps of the process...
First sand the end of a 1/8 inch rod to get it square (100 grit emery cloth) using the 1/8" hole in the jig to hold the rod. Then use the 1/8" hole to align the rod end with a 1/8" drill bit to create a countersunk end on the rod (a thicker jig might not be a bad idea here). Then the combination hole is used to guide a small (#53) drill bit to drill down the centre of the rod. Actually, once the end is countersunk the smaller bit will self centre without the jig. Ideally, the hole is slightly smalller than the 1/16" rod that you will use for a pin to create a tight fit that you tap together befroe peening the ends of the pin. Then, the combination hole is used to hold the rod end while the collar gets cut off with a hacksaw. Height of the collar is determined by the depth of the 1/8 hole in the jig (next jig I make will be a shallower stepped hole so the collar is not so high). Then, the back of the collar is sanded smooth with emery cloth. The resulting collar has a countersunk top to allow the pin to flare out and hold (similar to a traditional cup washer). Then it gets installed on the razor and the end of the pins get cut just longer than the collars, sanded square, and peened over with very light hammer tapping ( Actually I assembled a pin and one collar and then peened one end of the pin while holding it in a vise before trying to mount it on the razor). In the assembled photo before sanding you can see the end of the pin flared out and binding against the countersunk end of the collar.

Once it was mounted on the razor I sanded it to get the smooth, domed end. To protect the scales during sanding I made a shield out of a sheet of plastic with a hole punched in it for the pin assembly to stick through (you can also make it from a beer or pop can). Final sanding was with steel wool. As an added bonus you should be able to use the combination hole of the jig to help you drill out pins on razors without damaging washers/scales. That's all!

one more pic showing sanding once its on the razor

Cool, how thin can you cut the brass rod?

Originally Posted by raghur

Cool, how thin can you cut the brass rod?

I don't know... I will have to try to make a jig with a shallower stepped hole. Here's another side shot to show the height of this collar. I agree its a little too high.

Maybe file down to size vice using Emory cloth.

I bet you can cut thinner than that with a coping saw or put it to a sand belt and shorten it a bit

Originally Posted by mainaman

I bet you can cut thinner than that with a coping saw or put it to a sand belt and shorten it a bit

The trick would be holding it... once the collar is made it shoudl certainly be able to be sanded down on the bottom one way or another maybe another shallow blind hole in the jig to put the collar in just to hold it and then sand or file the bottom down some more.

Originally Posted by dgstr8

The trick would be holding it... once the collar is made it shoudl certainly be able to be sanded down on the bottom one way or another maybe another shallow blind hole in the jig to put the collar in just to hold it and then sand or file the bottom down some more.

yep, or just a pair of pliers

It's an interesting system, but what would be the benefits of using the brass tubing instead of a washer, or even using the brass hex-head machine screws from microfasteners?

Not being rude, just wondering why go through all the trouble of cutting the tube if there are other easier methods available

Originally Posted by avatar1999

It's an interesting system, but what would be the benefits of using the brass tubing instead of a washer, or even using the brass hex-head machine screws from microfasteners?

Not being rude, just wondering why go through all the trouble of cutting the tube if there are other easier methods available

No offense taken...actually it came down to immediate availability. If I could have found size 0 washers or microfasteners in Winnipeg I would have probably gone that route. I have used scavenged cup washers from old razors in the past and that works well. I guess this was an exercise in seeing if I could make what I needed rather than ordering it online and waiting (I guess I am not patient enough!) I also like that its kind of unique, and that I learned a few other useful things in the process (like the plastic shield thing and being able to use the jig to drill out old pins on other razors).