pin collars- Where to find them?

[screaming_pig]

Hi Guys,

Does anybody know where to buy the little pin collars (they look like cups) found on old straights? At the moment i'm using washers and peening on to them but these collars just look that little bit more tidy!

So if anyone can enlighten please dont be shy!!

Cheers

 

[rambus007]

I'm looking for these too. I got an order of 30 coming with my 20 rosewood scales but failed to ask the guy where he got them from. I'll send him an email and get back to you.

 

[screaming_pig]

nice one, please let me know as its driving me nad not knowing where to get them from!!

 

[Undream]

Sorry, maybe I'm missing something.. are you referring to bulls eye, or domed washers?

 

[screaming_pig]

yes that sounds like the same thing!! Will try and post a pic up later so I'm a little clearer in what I'm on about!

 

[Undream]

OK..well.. you have several options here.


1) Stack washers. You can find several sizes of brass 1/16" inside diameter / varying outside diameter washers, and stack them up on the pins, emulating the bullseye look.

2) Doming set. I've used a doming/ punch set from harbor freight ($30-35 or so), to create "domed" washers using standard #0wide brass washers. use a set of small #0 washers underneath the domed ones to keep their shape during peening. Here is the effect:

This is the doming set I used:

3) You can use a metal lathe ... or if you don't have a lathe, a drill press to attach a bit of brass rod to, and then use files to create the stepped bullseye effect. I can't remember where I saw the tutorial to do this, maybe someone can help me out.

4) you can make a compression jig out of some steel. You then use 1/16" inner diameter brass tubing and "pound" it into the domed shape. I know Bill Ellis had a jig that did this..and I know there is a modified tutorial in the SRP wiki. Here is the link to the SRP one. (apologies to Mr. Ellis if he has this posted somewhere else, otherwise I'd give him credit where credit was due). Oh... if you do decide to make a jig like this... whatever you do, don't use tempered steel (like a drill bit) in the jig. I made the mistake of using a 1/16" drill bit as the shaft.... one mis-hit with the hammer and I broke the drill bit off in my jig and had to make a whole new one

hopefully this helps!

 

[BillEllis]

OK..well.. you have several options here.


1) Stack washers. You can find several sizes of brass 1/16" inside diameter / varying outside diameter washers, and stack them up on the pins, emulating the bullseye look.



2) Doming set. I've used a doming/ punch set from harbor freight ($30-35 or so), to create "domed" washers using standard #0wide brass washers. use a set of small #0 washers underneath the domed ones to keep their shape during peening. Here is the effect:

3) You can use a metal lathe ... or if you don't have a lathe, a drill press to attach a bit of brass rod to, and then use files to create the stepped bullseye effect. I can't remember where I saw the tutorial to do this, maybe someone can help me out.

4) you can make a compression jig out of some steel. You then use 1/16" inner diameter brass tubing and "pound" it into the domed shape. I know Bill Ellis had a jig that did this..and I know there is a modified tutorial in the SRP wiki. Here is the link to the SRP one. (apologies to Mr. Ellis if he has this posted somewhere else, otherwise I'd give him credit where credit was due). Oh... if you do decide to make a jig like this... whatever you do, don't use tempered steel (like a drill bit) in the jig. I made the mistake of using a 1/16" drill bit as the shaft.... one mis-hit with the hammer and I broke the drill bit off in my jig and had to make a whole new one

hopefully this helps!

All good information. I stack washers now. A long time ago I had to make washers because I had not yet found a source for the ready-made washers found at microfasteners. The article at srp originates from Vlad who used the info I had on my CD at the time as the source for the article. He changed it around a bit to make the process work much better. Vlad was one of the most brilliant minds I ever ran across when it came to engineering new concepts for restoration work. I truly miss him. He was also the most talented guy I ever knew from any of the shaving forums. I still have two of his razors and one of his razor boxes in my stable of good stuff. I was a tad surprised that the boys over there left my name in the article, though.

Another way you can turn the washers besides using the drill press is to chuck about an inch of whatever diameter rod you choose into the chuck of a variable speed Fordom-type rotary tool and use files to create the stepped effect. You can carefully cut to the thickness you want with a jeweler's saw as the rod rotates, being very careful not to go too fast or lose the dang thing when the washer breaks free. Oh yeah, and drill the 1/16th's pilot hole into the rod before you cut the steps. Drill it the same way as you would for forming the steps. As the rod rotates in the rotary, hold the drill bit in a pair of pliers and move the bit to the spinning rod in the chuck to cut the pilot hole. Once the new washer breaks free, use double-sided tape on your finger and stick the outer surface (up side) of the washer to it. Use your finger with the washer at the tip as a push stick on 400 grit sandpaper to finalize thickness and appearance. You could also create a small indent in a piece of wood to put the dome portion of the washer in and then scrub sandpaper that way. I favor using my fingers.

Lastly, did you make the set of scales in the photos you provided in this thread?

 

[Undream]

Lastly, did you make the set of scales in the photos you provided in this thread?

Thank you for the description of the lathe/drill press option.

Yessir, I made the scales in the photos.

 

[BillEllis]

Thank you for the description of the lathe/drill press option.

Yessir, I made the scales in the photos.

Then, I have to say...

Amazing attention to detail and you should be proud of your accomplishment. Making scales isn't rocket science, but the finesse stuff is what makes a terrific set of scales. Even having the profile the tiniest bit out of contour, or leaving an unmatched edge as little as .003/inch off, or not understanding proportional relationships between the blade and scales can make the difference between a very good set and a flat-out killer project.

Exceptional work is one of those things that you know what it is when you see it, yet most folks can't quite figure out why. Many guys can't quite comprehend that when a set of scales is maybe a 1/16th too wide in the middle or 1/8th too long, it can still look very good - - - but they also realize that the end result somehow falls short and the reason behind the doubt is not recognized.

It's what makes a set of scales worth $150 versus $45. I don't know how long you have been doing this or where you learned what you have, but I gotta tell you that I'd put those scales on any blade I have ever made.

 

[screaming_pig]

Wow impressive work and thank you for taking the time to post this, very helpful!!

Its the 'domed' look that I'm after, but the ones that I have seen have a sort of 'cup' in the top so the peened rod can be sanded flat to the top, does that make sense???

 

[wazazzle]

Now that's what i need a doming set. Harbor freight had'em for $29.99 sale just might stop by tomorrow.

 

[thirdeye]

Now that's what i need a doming set. Harbor freight had'em for $29.99 sale just might stop by tomorrow.

This what I was going to suggest. This set works like a charm. You owe it to yourself to pick one up if you plan on making these domes.....

 

[amcardon]

What I believe you're looking for are called finish washers. I have no idea where to find them small enough for straights, smallest I know of is a #6 which uses roughly a 1/8" pin instead of the 1/16" typically used in straights.