What size/type stock do you use for alignment pins?

[Patrice Lemée]

Be it for a take down or any type of knife construction where they are needed.
At first I tried 1/16” pins but that was a tad small. Been using 3/32” and it's easier to work with.

I am curious as to what you good folks out there use and what material do you prefer.

Thanks

 

[argel55]

1/16 stinless pins
added welding supply fill rod

 

[Dixieblade57]

1/16 stinless pins

What is your source for the 1/16th stainless pins?

 

[S.Grosvenor]

This is where I get my pin stock.

http://www.onlinemetals.com/merchant.cfm?id=6&step=2&top_cat=1

Edit, Don't see 1/16" there though.

 

[JasonSCarter]

1/16 roll pins, you can pick up 1/16" SS wire at any welders supply.

Jason

 

[Salem Straub]

1/16" SS, doesn't seem like the alloy matters for alignment pins. I've gotten them from knife suppliers, the hardware store in a pinch, and as Jason says, stainless tig wire often works well.

 

[Patrice Lemée]

I've read somewhere about someone using 52100. Anyone does this?
I am surprised that everyone uses 1/16 pins.

Thanks for your input. :thumbup:

 

[Dan Pierson]

Another alternative that someone pointed me to dowel pins.

 

[Patrice Lemée]

Thanks Dan, I'll look into that.
Bought some TIG rods today, 316 stainless in 1/16" and 3/32".
Oh and I made a mistake, I tried 5/64" pins and liked that size a lot, not 3/32.

 

[Ed Caffrey]

I use 1/16" hardened dowels from either MSC or Enco. I tried the TIG rod thing, and found that the diameter isn't precise enough (sometimes it would fit, other times it would not)

 

[Patrice Lemée]

Thanks Ed, I'll order a few of those to try.