I was dismantling a razor this afternoon to put the blade in a new set of scales. The pivot pin in the old scales was sitting up very proud so I grabbed the Dremel to cut the head of it off and then punch the remainder out. I'm not sure what type of plastic the scales were but as the Dremel heated up the head of the pin the scales started to emit plumes of dark smoke. I was stunned for a few seconds and that was enough time for the room to fill up with smoke. I made a bolt for the bathroom which resulted in both the hallway and bathroom also being full of thick smoke. I've never seen anything like it. Running the scales under cold watch stopped the smoke and the burnt part of the scales just disintegrated into dust.
Be careful if your using a Dremel to remove pins from razors.
- Thread starter johnmrson
- Start date
Be careful with dremels around razors period. I have not set them on fire or emitted smoke but have melted my fair share of pivot holes.
Nitrate.
I used to work with nitrate film stock, and our lab was basically a big blast chamber, in case it went up, so the explosion would just kill us and not take out the entire building. That stuff literally burns under water.
I used to work with nitrate film stock, and our lab was basically a big blast chamber, in case it went up, so the explosion would just kill us and not take out the entire building. That stuff literally burns under water.
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Damn....
Video it next time!
*(glad your ok and thank you for the warning... That could have ended badly)
Video it next time!
*(glad your ok and thank you for the warning... That could have ended badly)
Wow, thanks for the tip. Glad you're ok.
Wow, pretty intense. Is there a better alternative to removing pins? I have only done it a couple times but used a Dremel with the ingraving bit. Pretty much just make a quick pass around it and the washers come right off. Sometimes I hit the scale but am not generally too concerned as I have only un-pinned razors with broken scales.
I can almost always get the pins off with a pair of flush cutters. No rotary tools, no slip ups and apparently no instant combustibles lol. Since I switched to the flush cutters I have a much higher success rate of the scales not being damaged in the process.
I forgot to mention, glad that the situation did not turn more serious and that you're ok John!
I have a set of flush cutters but can never get underneath the washer/pin to cut it off.
Which one do you have.
Burning Nitrate stock is one of the worst smells on earth.
i use a small file to remove the heads off the pins.... sometimes i slip and scratch a scale...
but at least i don't set fires.... lol...
but at least i don't set fires.... lol...
Small set I got at walmart, crafts section, they're dirt cheap and crappy but as long as you don't try to cut anything harder than nickel silver or brass they work well.
If i didn't know you as a straight up guy then I'd ask for pics! Thanks for sharing and glad nothing bad happened.
Use a file next time. I take a pice of masking tape and put it over the pin and scale, just file right through the tape. Slipups don't scratch the scale that way. Takes maybe 2 minutes, tops.
-Xander
-Xander
- Thread starter
- #15
I use flush cutters most of the time but this blade looked as if it had been pinned with a nail. The shaft was thick so I didn't want to dent the cutting edges of the flush cutters. I thought that knocking the head off with the Dremel and one of those thin cutting discs would be an easy way to get the head off so I could knock the pin out. How wrong I was.
Xuron 2175 Maxi Shear. True flush cutters and the edge lasts quite a while. Not cheap but not too expensive. If you can't get under the washer with those then it's a file or a drill press.
Glad you're o.k. John.
I wrap the area with sparky tape and then use a file.
I wrap the area with sparky tape and then use a file.
Thank you Peter
Wow, glad you're OK John. I would have freaked out.
