Comment on Free Talk Friday - October 27, 2023
gcgallant@sub.wetshaving.social 11 months agoIt 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.
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.
whosgotthepudding@sub.wetshaving.social 11 months ago
I’ve always just used flush cutters and a punch to get pins free. So far it hasn’t caused an issue for me.
djundjila@sub.wetshaving.social 11 months ago
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
whosgotthepudding@sub.wetshaving.social 11 months ago
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.
djundjila@sub.wetshaving.social 11 months ago
Interesting! I have a Heljestrand I’m planning to unpin for a good clean up, keeping the scales. I’ll give this a try.
gcgallant@sub.wetshaving.social 11 months ago
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.