Thread: First attempt at pinning didn't go so well...

Hint:

How hard to hit the pins????

Put your index finger on the anvil (hard surface) take your hammer and hit your finger right at the edge of the nail on that real sensitive spot on the cuticle,, if it hurts, your hitting too hard...

No really, I am being serious, try it

Originally Posted by gssixgun

Hint:

How hard to hit the pins????

Put your index finger on the anvil (hard surface) take your hammer and hit your finger right at the edge of the nail on that real sensitive spot on the cuticle,, if it hurts, your hitting too hard...

No really, I am being serious, try it

Fantastic tip, thanks!

Another thing that may be helpfull,you want the hammer to feel like it bounces at the strike,just let gravity drop the head.

Originally Posted by gssixgun

Hint:

How hard to hit the pins????

Put your index finger on the anvil (hard surface) take your hammer and hit your finger right at the edge of the nail on that real sensitive spot on the cuticle,, if it hurts, your hitting too hard...

No really, I am being serious, try it

I was hitting waaaaaay too hard. Looking at what I did, I think I had a host of problems at each step that all added up to a bent pin, and I think I'm lucky not to have smashed the scales:

1) Pin was too long by about 3.5mm in total
2) Didn't re-drill the hole
3) Hitting too hard

I'll wait for the sticks and hopefully win a drill press on eBay today, and try again. Thank you for the advice, I really do appreciate it. Reading is great, and all the knowledge is in the library, but sometimes newbies need calming a little but mentor's words! I need to learn to walk before I start running.

Every time I pin I go through 15 washers... While tapping the washer pops off and goes to that place socks in the dryer go.

Originally Posted by Wintchase

Every time I pin I go through 15 washers... While tapping the washer pops off and goes to that place socks in the dryer go.

Grab yourself a steel block and drill some 1/16 holes and other sizes if you pin with thicker pins some times. I drill 2 of each size I use, one about 9mm and one about 13mm. That way once your pins are cut to length you can drop it down the hole and start to peen one end. I do it just enough so that when I drop the washer on it wont fall off. That should solve 50% of the pop offs.

Originally Posted by davebug

Grab yourself a steel block and drill some 1/16 holes and other sizes if you pin with thicker pins some times. I drill 2 of each size I use, one about 9mm and one about 13mm. That way once your pins are cut to length you can drop it down the hole and start to peen one end. I do it just enough so that when I drop the washer on it wont fall off. That should solve 50% of the pop offs.

Good ide! Thanks!