Getting good round domed pins

R

Randy3000

Joined
Jun 3, 2017
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I use pin spinners i make from 5/32" drill rod stock. I drill a hole in some wood, tap a section of drill rod in (it's a tight fit), clamp in drill press vise, and drill the top to dome the end. Then i punch out the rod section and chuck in a cordless drill and spin it at an angle on the belt grinder and get to the diameter of the bit i use to counter bore (i dont do deep counter bores), then harden and temper the spinner.

I found with the 1/16" handle pins i can make a spinner by doming the end with a 1/4" drill bit and then reduce the spinner diameter to 3/32" and get a good domed pin from that. But for the 3/32" through pins, i have trouble. Here is a knife i am finishing now:

nhWZN5p.jpg


The spinners i am using are domed with a 3/8" bit, and i get a flat spot that i have to sand out and make smooth looking. If i try to use a 1/2" bit to dome the spinner, i still get a flat spot, though it is smaller, the edges of the pin dont get pressed down to the bone and it snags my finger if i rub across the handle. 3/8" gives the best result for me. But i would like to not have to sand the pins, i just want to spin and be done.

I know some guys use a cup burr tool, but i tried that and i still get flat spots. Not sure what i should be doing.
 
I’ve always just filed flat to size with a very fine file, crashed the edges with a cup burr, and peened with a very light ballpeen. You can peen the edges down so nothing with snag a finger, but you have to be careful not to hit the handle material...
 
I don't, but I am considering making a Nick Wheeler style setup for it. It would definitely minimize the risk of hitting the handle material when peening the edges.
 
It's not necessary to "spin" these punches.
A few taps with a hammer should shape the pin head nicely. Buff afterward.
Spinning rivets was developed as a production method. Unless you are producing quantity or repairing a knife with previously spun pins, it's not needed.
 
Bill DeShivs said:
It's not necessary to "spin" these punches.
A few taps with a hammer should shape the pin head nicely. Buff afterward.
Spinning rivets was developed as a production method. Unless you are producing quantity or repairing a knife with previously spun pins, it's not needed.
Click to expand...

I have tried this, but lacked the dexterity and lack a third hand to hold everything in place while punching. Maybe i am doing it wrong.
 
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