Thread: tighting up some scales

The scales on one of my razors are very loose and I needed to tighten them up.

What is the right way to peen the rivet without making it too tight?

I have a anvil, a couple of ball peen hammers but I'm worried about over peening the rivets and wanted to know any tricks of the the trade.

Put yer finger on the anvil, seriously !!!!
Now tap the top of your finger nail yep right there at the cuticle where it is really, really, sensative...
Now don't hit the pin any harder than that, no really I am absolutely serious..
Try and tap around the edge of the peen not directly down on it..
Most factory razors only peen on the backside of the razor, not all, but most, look at the pins really close so yer not pounding on the head of the pin, it wont do anything good...

Tap-tapity-tap never Bang, Bang..

Tap about 10 times and check the razor, repeat until snug...

Everyone says use a ball peen hammer for this, but these look so damn big compared to the target. Do you use a regular, old ball peen hammer for this, or do you have some kind of special, small "jeweler's" model?

Also, Glen, do you recommend using one of those little jeweler's anvils with the little divots cut out of it for repinning, or do you just use the anvil on your vise? Thanks.

Originally Posted by JeffE

Everyone says use a ball peen hammer for this, but these look so damn big compared to the target. Do you use a regular, old ball peen hammer for this, or do you have some kind of special, small "jeweler's" model?

I have a few but if I were going to have just one, I would get a 4 oz. Jeweler's Chasing Hammer...


Also, Glen, do you recommend using one of those little jeweler's anvils with the little divots cut out of it for repinning, or do you just use the anvil on your vise? Thanks.

All of the above...

The small Jeweler's Anvils and Blocks are cool because I can sit right here in front of the computer and Chat with you guys and still tighten pins... They are also highly polished so you get good results...

I use my 4 inch bench vise to build the pins and put the razor together in the shop, but I always do I guess what you would call a finish peen right before I send them back home... That is what I would recommend for everyone to maintain their razor with, the nice polished Block or Anvil and as small 2 oz or 4 oz Ball peen Jeweler's hammer.. should cost less than $20 for both shipped ...

I tightened up one of mine on an anvil, but I used the back of a teaspoon instead of the hammer.

I bascially just held the teaspoon over the rivet and let it fall under its own weight. A dozen or so taps had my razor tight again..!

In addition, I always just tap the other side of the pin on the anvil before peening to try to help insure I am on the pin and not the scale before I start tapping with the hammer.

Have fun,

Lynn

Thanks for the tip Lynn, I hadnt thought of that..!

Aha, all of the wise men gathered in one place! One more question, then -- where do you buy the jeweler's hammers and anvils and cutters for doing this pinning work, and where do you get the little pins and washers? Thanks!

4 oz hammer from Craftsman, and jewelers anvil from eBay. Lots of other things you can use for an anvil though.

Have fun,

Lynn

I just finished doing this in the garage. I used the box end of a wrench for an anvil and a another wrench for a hammer. Worked real good. Maybe not the best setup but in a pinch..