Nails as Pins a Tutorial

[badrunner13]

pmaster saw that I was using nails for pins and wanted to know my technique and thought that it was worth sharing. Since there has been some discussion about this lately I was asked to share this with you all.
I don't anneal instead I sand short and just mushroom the top with many light taps, you should be able to feel the high points with your finger (it will have a sharper edge to it) you are ready to polish once the caps are smooth and even all the way around.
These scales are far from restored but I used them to show the process.

Materials:
.0625 (aka 16Ga) nails, stainless preferred, bright finish will work
#0 washers however you decide to stack them
(If you used .0625" nails, aka 16Ga, with #0 washers you will have a snug fit.)
Scales, Wedge, and Blade
Ball Peen Hammer and an Anvil
Diagonal Cutters
Sanding Drum or file
Drill press with a 1/16” bit
Spare Block of Hardwood
Buffer




Step 1:
Prepare your scales by using the 1/16” drill bit to clean up the holes
Insert nail through the scales and tap on the washers using the spare hardwood, the washers only need to be on past the point. The nail will hold the small washer on there without slipping.

 

[badrunner13]

Step 2:
Snip the other side of the nail and clean up the Burr with the sanding drum or file and repeat the washer procedure for this side.

 

[badrunner13]

Step 3:
Trim the nail on both sides so that it is near the washers. (See picture)



Step 4:
Using sanding drum (or file) sand the nail flat and make sure to not leave too much nail left over before peening. The tendency to want to make a smooth cap with too much left over is what causes all of the headaches (broken scales, bent nails, etc…).

 

[badrunner13]

Step 5:
Start Peening, Remember light glancing (never directly in the center of the pin and work in a circle) taps, and flip the scales frequently!
Remember, just mushroom the top with many light taps, you should be able to feel the high points with your finger (it will have a sharper edge to it) you are ready to polish once the caps are smooth and even all the way around.

 

[badrunner13]

Step 6:
Ready for the Buffer, Emory compound should be sufficient to start.



Step 7:
Admire your handiwork.



That is all there is to it, so yes you can use nails as pins it just takes a little practice and you will be successful.
Thanks Again,
-Benjamin

 

[Kailand09]

I've always liked the silvery/shiny steel look on hardware over gold/brass on 90% of things (except my swedish brass frameback I love that). This seems a widely available easy way to pin, thanks. When I make scales, I think this might be how I go about doing it.

 

[pmaster]

Thanks a lot Benjamin, I'm sure many others will benefit from it. I'll let you know how it goes once I give it a try!

 

[CanonSterVa]

Excellent description and details.
Really enjoyed seeing this thread.
Thank you!

 

[pmaster]

Well, I did it with some 18ga nails just now.

It worked OK but I think 16ga would've been easier. Also, the scales on which I tried to pin were quite hard to work with, since one side had some kind of texture and the small washer didn't want to stay put.

Otherwise I'm pretty happy, I think I'll be able to use nails for other razors as well.

Thanks for the tips and the walkthrough!

 

[Lynchy]

Wow they look really sweet all polished up, thanks!

 

[pmaster]

Another success with 17ga stainless steel nails:

 

[freedj]

Do you worry about the nails rusting?

 

[pmaster]

Do you worry about the nails rusting?

Stainless Steel nails help with that

 

[tomjr]

good info, thanks.