It turns out that the whole process is a little fiddly,
I have not replaced scales, but I have re-pinned a razor. Just removing the pin was fiddly for me and seems that way in the videos I’ve watched. I don’t have a tiny drill press, but I gaffer-taped the razor to a piece of wood with a hole drilled for the pin on the razor’s underside. Then I used a tiny punch on the top-side pin and carefully hand drilled it.
I’m probably way over-thinking this, but if you already have a small drill press, a tiny end mill might be a good way to remove a pin because it can cut horizontally (to remove some of the peened surface) as well as vertically.
Yessir. I just unpinned and cleaned up someone’s razor a couple weeks using this method. If your tool is free of damage and smooth, it shouldn’t really be an issue. I might also add that I crimp a side then rotate and make the actual cut to help minimize the force needed.
I’ve done that too. I have small Hakko flush cutters (too delicate) that I use for electronics and cable flush cutters (general purpose). I used the larger cutters but worried that I would damage the scales with them. It’s probably just an experience thing. I’ve done very little of this.
I think replacing scales is much easier. I just cut the pins of with a flush cutter. A tiny one sold for trimming solder leads was enough, the pins are soft. Probably some copper nickel alloy.
I have mill bits just like you describe for this. I’ve used them to mill aluminium before, so I’m thinking they would work well on the pins.
I have not replaced scales, but I have re-pinned a razor. Just removing the pin was fiddly for me and seems that way in the videos I’ve watched. I don’t have a tiny drill press, but I gaffer-taped the razor to a piece of wood with a hole drilled for the pin on the razor’s underside. Then I used a tiny punch on the top-side pin and carefully hand drilled it.
I’m probably way over-thinking this, but if you already have a small drill press, a tiny end mill might be a good way to remove a pin because it can cut horizontally (to remove some of the peened surface) as well as vertically.
I’ve always just used flush cutters and a punch to get pins free. So far it hasn’t caused an issue for me.
Was that on scales that you wanted to save? I’m not sure I’d manage to unoi remove a pin with a flush cutter without some damage to the scales
Yessir. I just unpinned and cleaned up someone’s razor a couple weeks using this method. If your tool is free of damage and smooth, it shouldn’t really be an issue. I might also add that I crimp a side then rotate and make the actual cut to help minimize the force needed.
Interesting! I have a Heljestrand I’m planning to unpin for a good clean up, keeping the scales. I’ll give this a try.
I’ve done that too. I have small Hakko flush cutters (too delicate) that I use for electronics and cable flush cutters (general purpose). I used the larger cutters but worried that I would damage the scales with them. It’s probably just an experience thing. I’ve done very little of this.
I think replacing scales is much easier. I just cut the pins of with a flush cutter. A tiny one sold for trimming solder leads was enough, the pins are soft. Probably some copper nickel alloy.
I have mill bits just like you describe for this. I’ve used them to mill aluminium before, so I’m thinking they would work well on the pins.