Pre-peening Pins

[Jeffinn]

I especially like pre-made pins when reassembling a knife with old bone handles. There’s always that fear of tapping that backspring pin just once more and hearing that nauseating little crack sound.
With one side of the pin already peened I figure I reduce my chances of a bone crack by 50%!
They’re just handy to have around.
Jeff

[Meridian_Mike]

With one side of the pin already peened I figure I reduce my chances of a bone crack by 50%!

I totally agree!
This is my new procedure now! Peen one end before sticking it through the handle!

[Nev52]

It’s always nice to have one head on a pin for ease of assembly. I buy some of the pre-peened pins and use them from time to time because they can save some time and some grief (one less pin to peen when working in fragile handle materials). Some of the guys here use pin spinners. I’ve owned a few and just didn’t get the results I liked so I do mine by hand. I’m not knocking pin spinners, they just weren’t right for me.
The biggest issue when pre-peening pins is supporting the pin so it doesn’t bend while you’re tapping away on its head. You can use a vise for this but I switched over to a delrin block with some appropriate sized holes drilled in it. It’s inexpensive and works well. You can see that mine has numerous holes in it. This one is 3/4” thick;
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The process is pretty simple. Install a pin in the hole with a bit protruding and file the top flat;
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Then use your favorite pin peening hammer and peen the pin until you get the pin head mushroomed over. Light tapping and moving the hammer head around all sides of the pin will keep everything somewhat symmetrical;
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The pin will look a little beat up at this point, but a few seconds on the polishing wheel and it’ll look just fine;
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A little time spent in the shop and I’ve got enough pins for my next few projects;
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Hope this helps.

Jeff,
I read your tutorial on pre peening pins I made one out of oak. Then ordered a jeweler's block. Here are 2 knives I just did with micarta scales. This seems to work. Great information! I still am trying to get my pins to look like yours. I have a long way to go.
Nev-52 (Gerard)

[Jeffinn]

Your pins are looking pretty darn good!
Jeff

[zed6309]

Love this Jeff going to make one tuesday

[Nev52]

Thank's. Jeff Coming from you that is quite a compliment.

Nev-52