Thread: My first scale de-pin

This is my first attempt to de-pin some bone scales
Using my finger to guide the file
nearly through to the washer, you can just see the ring
setting the gap in the vise
old sock lol (clean tho)
getting it centred

bit of wd40 as I am not re-using the scales
punching the pin

De-pinned

Congratulations on a successful mission.
Its always less stressful when you dont want the scales. Hang onto them though, you might want them someday.
Grant

Well done!

+ 1 on keeping the scales, I never throw away anything that might come in handy one day.

A little tips when unpinning this way to help save the scales is to put a piece of electrical tape over the pin and scales, that way the tape will protect the scales when filing.

will keep the scales in my box of treasures hehe,
was going to put electrical tape on but thought I would test my luck and wasn't to bothered if I scratched them

+1 electric tape

Very handy tip, with and accidental slip of the file there is no worries.

Glad to see you didn't crack the bone. I agree with the others, that someday you may want them for something.

I noticed you have a drill press in the background. Have you tried that method before? For me, the drill press is easier than the "hand" work.

Originally Posted by Ducksfan

I noticed you have a drill press in the background. Have you tried that method before? For me, the drill press is easier than the "hand" work.

No I have not as I feel that I do not have as much control over a drill press as I do with a small hand file. I will give it a go but not on my ivory scales haha

Drill press works fast. The risk is that the pins are not entirely straight, or that the rivet is slightly irregular. Then the drill might just decide to slip to the side when you are nearly there, and you drill a divot in the scales.