Results 1 to 9 of 9
  1. #1
    Member
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Location
    Columbia Falls, MT
    Posts
    52
    Thanked: 7

    Default Stainless steel for pins?

    Has anybody tried stainless steel for pins? I don't have any nickel silver in 1/16" rod and wondered if I could use stainless steel rod instead. Would annealing help with the hardness and would it still take a buffing? Any thoughts on this?

  2. #2
    what Dad calls me nun2sharp's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    Kansas city area USA
    Posts
    9,172
    Thanked: 1677

    Default

    Annealing may be a big help and yes it should still buff ..... I think.
    It is easier to fool people than to convince them they have been fooled. Twain

  3. #3
    At this point in time... gssixgun's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2007
    Location
    North Idaho Redoubt
    Posts
    26,948
    Thanked: 13221
    Blog Entries
    1

    Default

    The draw back of the SS after you get all the kinks worked (annealing, polishing) out, is that it is still actually "Stain Less" as in two words it will rust This is why I won't use it for pins or for inside bearing washers, on the outside it is wiped down and stays in good shape, but on the inside, it becomes a whole different story...
    Last edited by gssixgun; 10-15-2011 at 11:30 PM.

  4. The Following User Says Thank You to gssixgun For This Useful Post:

    Naallen12 (02-23-2013)

  5. #4
    Member
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Location
    Columbia Falls, MT
    Posts
    52
    Thanked: 7

    Default Stainless steel pins

    Glen, I hadn't considered the corrosion factor. I'll wait til I can get some nickel silver or just use brass over stainless washers. I don't mind the mixed colors but really wanted an all-silver look for a set of black horn with a turquoise wedge. Thanks for the insight.

  6. #5
    epd
    epd is offline
    Senior Member epd's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2011
    Location
    Orillia, Ontario, Canada
    Posts
    741
    Thanked: 164

    Default

    Correct me if I'm wrong, but not all stainless will (most won't) rust unless it is contaminated, IE- peening with a carbon steel hammer, against a milks steel anvil, resting on mild steel while glowing red, contaminated sandpaper ect ect....
    I occasionally fabricate SS parts for a local meat factory, the parts are soaked in brine and cleaned continuously and show zero sign of corrosion after years.
    I'm not sure the grade of tig rods I use off hand, sorry...
    I am curious about this now aswell, as I have considered using it recently.
    thanks!

  7. #6
    UPD
    UPD is offline
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Jul 2011
    Location
    Jacksonville, FL
    Posts
    142
    Thanked: 20

    Default

    I've used it a couple times, but I stopped using it because it is really hard, which means peening gets tough. Plus as Glen mentioned, it can rust. Nickel silver is cheaper, polishes up better, and readily available anyway.

  8. #7
    Senior Member Havachat45's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2011
    Location
    Redbank, Queensland, Australia
    Posts
    1,639
    Thanked: 291

    Default

    I use stainless brazing rod for pins as I was given it by the local welding shop and have not had any trouble with it other than it is a little bit harder than brass so you have to be more assertive with the peining hammer.
    Here is one that I pinned using it.
    http://straightrazorpalace.com/show-...ore-after.html
    Hang on and enjoy the ride...

  9. #8
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Location
    Vancouver, BC, Canada
    Posts
    1,377
    Thanked: 275

    Default

    FWIW --

    Good S/S alloys (in the 3xx series) won't rust _if they're in contact with air or dissolved oxygen in water_. They _will_ rust in oxygen-deprived environments, stagnant water in particular.

    So the underside of a washer (against the scales), which is damp, but which doesn't have oxygenated water flowing over it -- that _can_ rust. So can the pins where they go through the scales.

    Nickel-silver (or Monel, or more exotic stuff) is better for those situations.

    Charles

  10. #9
    Senior Member easyace's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2011
    Location
    Doha
    Posts
    794
    Thanked: 128

    Default

    Not all "Stainless Steels" are created equal. I used to work in a Milk process plant (Chief Engineer) we used 316L extensively due to it's resistance against corrossion and it's resistance to the very agressive chemicals used for cleaning. 316L is also used in marine environments with no corrossion issues. It is though very difficult to work.

    The question is if you can obtain the correct grade in the sizes required.

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •