Taking apart a pinned folder

[Lo/Rez]

If I find an old folder that I want to take apart, what is the best way to do it making the least amount of damage? I'm looking to try making some traditional style slip joints or lock backs and was thinking I could use one as a template.

 

[A.McPherson]

What are the scales made out of? If they are very sturdy you can probably just pound out the pins with the right sized punch. If not, use a center punch to mark the center of each pin, then very carefully drill the "dome" off each pin and then pound them our wth a punch.

That's how I'd do it. But I'm not a pro or anything...