Thread: Depinning

Hey Guys I want to take the scale off one razor and put them on to another razor and as I have been looking in the workshop I have seen filing and drilling mentioned as ways of doing this. So my question is which is a safer way of doing it without damaging the scales and for your preferred method how do you normally go about doing it.

The reason there are many different ways is that all pins and washers are not made equal, so there is no "Best" way...

It really does depend on the razor and the pins, I know you didn't want that answer but that is the truth...

Flush cutters
Dremel cutoff wheel
Jeweler's saw
Drill press
File

and I am sure I missed one...

Also keep in mind I don't care how many you have done, and how careful you are, some just break

I've alway found for me is a centre punch and a 11/16 drill bit. I use a hand drill from the local hobby shop.

Originally Posted by gssixgun

The reason there are many different ways is that all pins and washers are not made equal, so there is no "Best" way...

It really does depend on the razor and the pins, I know you didn't want that answer but that is the truth...

Flush cutters
Dremel cutoff wheel
Jeweler's saw
Drill press
File

and I am sure I missed one...

Also keep in mind I don't care how many you have done, and how careful you are, some just break

You missed BFH.

If the razor had washers I use a file. Its doesnt matter which way you do it because sometimes the scales just break. Im sure most of us that do this have broken at least one set of scales we really wanted to use.

If you can find them locally, I highly recommend flush cutters.

If not, go to the hand tools section of your local hardware store (ACE, TrueValue, etc. Walmart will have none of this.) and look for a 1/4" Tungsten file. They're 1/4 wide, about 3" long, and used to sharpen tungsten carbide saw blades. They also cut very quickly and give great control to pin-filing operations. Now, look for point punches, and grab a straight-filed 1/16th pin punch. You are set to take your pins off, and have spent no more than $7.

Originally Posted by TrilliumLT

I've alway found for me is a centre punch and a 11/16 drill bit. I use a hand drill from the local hobby shop.

11/16? Seems a bit much to me! But to each his own.

Joe,

have a look in our Welcome to the Workshop: How do I / Where do I / What do I / answers are here. Scroll down to the How to pin / unpin scales: section. There's a a few links with an illustrated guide how to un-pin.

Flush cutters work really well, and I found mine in my local walmart in the craft section. They have stuff for making jewelry, etc. This is what they look like...

Originally Posted by nun2sharp

11/16? Seems a bit much to me! But to each his own.

Go big or go home i always say. lol. Oops i ment to say 1/16"