Thread: Removing Pins

Redwoood,
Be sure to file or sand down the peen so that it's flat. Trying to drill on a domed surface is no good. A drill press helps, but I do it all by hand as well.

From here on in, this is the process I usually follow:
Take a nail or an awl with a very sharp point, put it in the centre of the pin and give it a few taps to put a little indentation in the pin. This will serve as a little helpful guide to keep the drill bit from dancing.

The next step I perform if I want to save the scales, in other words, it's for greater precision. Instead of going straight to the 1/16" bit, I'll start with a 1/32" bit and create a little pilot hole for guidance. Once I got that made, I'll whip out the 1/16" bit and drill straight through the pin with that. I usually drill no deeper than the outside of the scale; this does fine to remove the peen. If needed I'll go as deep as the inside of the scale.

Sometimes part of the peen will remain attached to the pin at the outter diameter, but by this time, the metal in thin enough that I can easily cut through that with an x-acto knife.

Usually the pins are quite tight in the scales, so you'll probably need to gently but firmly wiggle them apart.

Whenever I drill metal, I always use some sort of oil; or for lack there of, water isntead. I also don't continuously drill, I'll drill for a second, check my progress and then continue.

It would probably benifit you to pickup a drill bit made for drilling metals as well. I have a cobalt bit, vlad had recommended the carbide ones; either should do fine. I got one of these for like $3 at the local home depot, and it just digs through the pin much easier and faster than my normal bits.

In case you're wondering. I've done this with both a dremel and conventional drill. Usually it's just whatever is closer

As for whether or not you can save the washers... You sure can. As for whether or not you can drill such that the washers are completely untouched, unlikely.