Replacing pinned rivets?

G

guy-montag

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Jun 30, 2011
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I'm looking to make replacement scales for a barber's razor, but I'm not sure what sort of rivets it uses and where to get a similar replacement rivet.

Here's pictures of the top and bottom of the rivet:

5888077837_8c24fa227f.jpg


5888078111_3d803f297b.jpg


I have a rivet gun for 3/32", 1/8", 5/32" and 3/16" rivets, but it's the sheet metal sort of rivet gun, not sure if it could be used here.

Any advice?
 
You can turn a nail down in a drill. Reuse the washer.
 
It looks like it might be a hidden screw (corby type rivet) instead of a peened rivet. If it is peened the company making the razor probably used a press with a stop to set the rivet. Setting a rivet by hand is a delicate process as setting it to tight could crack the scales or lock the blade. It looks to be a screw though as to the line across the back of one side and the apparently dissimilar metals. If you take it apart you should be able to tell.
 
Carefully pulled it apart. It is indeed a single pin that was peened out over a small washer on the exterior of the scales. Silver plated brass or the like, it seems.

So now I can re-use all of the original rivets and washers, but that does make me wonder, how do I set it when I put on the new scales without causing it to bind the blade? Put in temporary spacers like a folded bit of paper or something?
 
The shank of the rivet needs to stand about 1/8" or more above the rivet washer depending on the diameter of the shank. I've used nail a nail sink and a punch to set rivets and the right sized nail sink worked best. If you are careful a small ball peen hammer could work. I worked the rivet gently at first to see how it was expanding. In your case I would determine a striking force that would barely expand the rivet, work the rivet until there was just a little lateral movement in the blade and then even more carefully to remove the play in the blade and until it opened and closed with the amount of resistance you want. I'd peen the rivet with the blade closed.
 
Use a small hammer (tack hammer or smaller.) Use short, light taps with wrist power only. Tap around the rivet on all sides, then tap the center. Check for proper expansion. You want to expand the head of the rivet, not the shank.
Of course, make sure the other side is on a solid metal surface.
Using spacers is not a bad idea, but is not necessary if you go slow and check your progress often.
 
Since you are replacing things, why not replace the rivet with a pivot? That will allow precise spacing of the scales and blade, and take down capability. Use one with torx screws on the ends for a nice look.
http://www.knifekits.com/vcom/product_info.php?cPath=60_83&products_id=471

Fancy screws would really make it look good,too.
http://www.knifekits.com/vcom/product_info.php?cPath=60_81_230&products_id=2004

Or, gold plated screws:
http://www.knifemaking.com/SearchResults.asp?Search=gold+plated+screw
 
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