Thread: Pinned my first set of scales. What went wrong?

I decided to try pinning a Dovo ebony set of scales onto one of my project razors. I cleaned up a 6/8 Electric Cutlery blade, took the scales out and got to work. The first problem I had was I couldn't get the collar that came in the Dovo kit to fit over the end of the pin. I ended up using the collar from the broken scales originally on the razor. I mocked up the razor and noticed the spike point hit the spacer when I tried to close it. I took a needle file and made sure the clearance was enough. I set up the razor on the anvil and snipped off the end of the pin so that about 1/16" was sticking out past the collar. I peened the end using light taps and it was working well. When it was tight enough I stopped. When I picked it up, I realized that the pin had become crooked at some point and instead of making a vertical line through the scales and the razor, the scales were completley skewed and the bottom scale stuck out past the top about 1/8" ! What caused this? Did I leave the pin too long? Hit it too hard? Should I have clamped it somehow? Any input would be appreciated. Thanks.

Well if you had hit it too hard you would have cracked the scales. It sounds to me like as you hit the pin in the scales weren't kept together properly and one moved and became misaligned and thats how the pin became crooked and one scale sticks out more than the other.

The pin was too long, you need about 1/32" of the pin to stick out over the washer after the scales are tight around the tang.

You are hitting a bit too hard too. You can hit hard without breaking the scales but bending the pin instead of peening it. You also need to keep the pin vertical on the anvil so that the force goes straight down instead of sideways where it will bend the pin.

Thanks for your advice, guys. I think part of my problem is the fact that all of my tools are oversized and make it a little difficult for delicate work. My ball peen hammer is about 16 oz (what size would be appropriate?) and my wire cutters have a reverse bevel that makes it difficult to cut the pin any closer. I still have another set of bone scales to do so I'll take your advice and let you know how it works out. Thanks.

Considering you can use a tablespoon to peen razor pins, I think you can safely bet that 16oz is way too heavy. After cutting the pin with your cutters just file it flat with a file delicately and carefully so you don't scratch the scales. That will let you get closer and let you start with a flat head instead of pinched and un-even one.

These guys are a lot better at this than me so I would take advice over mine but have you considered that the collar you took out of the old scales didn`t match the size of the pin you are using .Exactly the same thing happened to me twice before I worked out what was going on,I made the scales ,finished them and set about to completley bugger the both sets. I was using the brass inserts that come with servos in RC areoplanes for the collars, and they ended up a tad big for the pin stock I had .
If the pin stock dosn`t fit the collar sand it back with very fine wet and dry till it fits,if the brass or copper for that matter and any alloy made from these tarnishes in the air which causes a slight build up on the surface and if the tollerences are very tight may stop the pin stock from fitting
Anyway ,thats my two bobs worth,take it or leave it however I must stress that I`m new to this so listen to the other guys ,they have had a lot mor experience than me
Kind regards Peter
Just another thought I always anneal the pin stock first and shampher the ends after its been cut off at the correct lenght and very finely counter sink the collar ,buy doing this the top of the pin will form form evenly and will fill the countersunk area correctly therefore holding the tension on the sacles more sercurely (mabey)