Mosaic Pins Tips?

[toker]

I'm an amateur woodworker and have been looking at using some Mosaic pins for things like wooden saya. Looking for some tips and advice. I read a few threads and it seems you don't want to heat up the pin too much so the epoxy doesn't get messed up. I was originally going to cut the pin with a dremel disc and glue it into the wood. Then I was going to take an orbital sander to make it flush with the saya.

I used a walnut dowel for the bottom, but want to start using the Mosaic.

 

[Richard338]

You can cut off pieces with a hacksaw. I use a higher tpi blade if I have one handy.

 

[toker]

What about sanding it flush with the wood?

 

[Richard338]

You don't want to heat the pins, or tear up the scales. I grind in short bursts with a coarse belt, alternating between all the pins, both sides, getting it as close as I dare to the scales. If everything is sealed up then you can dunk it in water periodically. When you switch to high grit to grind it flush you need to be more careful about heat. Finish with hand sanding. You won't over heat doing that. Don't focus too much on the pin area and put a divot in your scale.

 

[Horsewright]

Its easy enough to do. I don't finish mosaics any different than any other pin. I buy them in 12" lengths and cut with a Portaband on a Swag table. I only use 1/8" pins and they are all the same pattern. I shape the hanlde on the grinder up to 330 grit and then hand sand from there. Use a hard backing while handsanding, like you would with any other pin to prevent it from getting proud.

Really doesn't matter the material, I finish em all (the pins), the same

 

[toker]

Thank you all very much!