Thread: Tip for newbies (like myself!) filing pins out...

Some here use a small piece of very thin brass with a hole drilled through, much in the same manner as your masking tape, or even a small sheet made from a tin can. I got a small sheet with some various size holes in it, so they fit nicely over most washers. I find it works a little better than plastic as it gives better protection if your file slips. Oh, beware of sharp edges if using sheet metal, ofc.

Just one notice (totally my personal experience) when removing pins with 1/16" punch... some of scales has European (especially imported one in old days from Germany) size of hole which is not 1/16" but less. It is about 1,5 mm where 1/16" is 1.57mm. I have broke few scales before I figure out this one. I have grind down my 1/16" punch and now works great on everything :-)

This has been posted before, it works even better with one piece of tape right on top of the pin.
Electrical tape works great it is thick and protects the scales very well.