Roll pins
- Thread starter LeftyRed
- Start date
- Status
CoalCrackerAl
Member
Maybe check out a good hardware store. We just got a tractor supply recently. They have saved me and my son a few times on things. They have a large area with individual fasteners.
rabid wombat
Member
Mauser fan
Member
Small roll pin punches are a tough nut to keep from bending or breaking from normal use and abuse. I typically use Mayhew punches and the small diameter punches are always the first to bend or break it never fails especially my brass punches. I should buy them in bulk like I do my drill bits.
Mayhew punches.
Mayhew punches.
I know where to find them. I want to find ones that won’t bent when you look at them.
I think you are right, I have tried four different brands and none seem to last more than one of two front sight changes.
entropy
Member
Tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap.
deadeye dick
Member
The shorter the better. Go very easy and hit it straight. Light taps are the key.
I have often found the end bevel on roll pins to be poorly formed.
That inhibits a straight start when installing and could lead to a bent pin.
I chuck-up small roll pins in a drill or lathe and sand the end bevel concentric by spinning it against a belt sander or flap wheel in an angle grinder.
That concentric bevel allows the pin to start straight when hammering it into a hole.
A slight bevel/chamfer on the hole helps too.
jmo,
.
That inhibits a straight start when installing and could lead to a bent pin.
I chuck-up small roll pins in a drill or lathe and sand the end bevel concentric by spinning it against a belt sander or flap wheel in an angle grinder.
That concentric bevel allows the pin to start straight when hammering it into a hole.
A slight bevel/chamfer on the hole helps too.
jmo,
.
There is installation and removal of the roll pin; two distinctly different tasks. Installation is efficiently performed using roll pin "starter" punches that properly hold the roll pin , particularly very short small diameter ones, to initially get them squarely introduced into the hole, then switch to a proper sized roll pin punch to complete the task. As mentioned above, the coiled roll pins usually have a chamfered edge to assist in their introduction to their home, if not a smooth edge, a simple preparation of the leading edge makes the task pleasant.
Riomouse911
Member
I have been getting away with a Tekton punch set for quite a while on AR’s and CZ pistols. If you start soft and don’t resort to violence, roll pin punches will last quite a while (even the small diameter ones).
But, the shorter pin shafts are best for many gunsmithing applications since they resist bending better than longer punches. So, as the guys said buy a short set to start pins and a standard set to finish (if more length is needed once the pin is moving).
Stay safe.
But, the shorter pin shafts are best for many gunsmithing applications since they resist bending better than longer punches. So, as the guys said buy a short set to start pins and a standard set to finish (if more length is needed once the pin is moving).
Stay safe.
AlexanderA
Member
Be aware that there are two types of roll pins: slotted and spiral. I've encountered some of each type in AR-15's.
The pin punches required in each case may be different.
The pin punches required in each case may be different.
I'm thinking one is a roll-pin or coiled spring pin, the other a split-pin or slotted spring pin.
Rolled
McMaster-Carr
Slotted
McMaster-Carr
jmo,
.
Last edited:
dfariswheel
Member
- Joined
- Dec 26, 2002
- Messages
- 6,656
Lot's of firearms use actual roll pins, not spring tension or split pins.
In fact, it's only fairly recently that spring tension pins have become common in firearms applications.
From at least the 1930's up to today a lot of actual roll pins are common.
As example, here's my new Sarsilmaz SAR 2000ST Turkish CZ-75/Tanfoglio Witness 9mm pistol.
The trigger pin, the hammer pin, and the pin that attaches the trigger to the push bar are all actual roll pins.
In fact, it's only fairly recently that spring tension pins have become common in firearms applications.
From at least the 1930's up to today a lot of actual roll pins are common.
As example, here's my new Sarsilmaz SAR 2000ST Turkish CZ-75/Tanfoglio Witness 9mm pistol.
The trigger pin, the hammer pin, and the pin that attaches the trigger to the push bar are all actual roll pins.
earlthegoat2
Member
Gunsmiths need machine tools and good skills to make the very tools they need to practice those same skills using those very tools for gunsmithing.
IOW, you will need to make some shorter starter punches as mentioned above by @a5werkes
As to roll pins versus spring pins, I have found they can be interchanged nearly always however, if shear strength is desired, a roll pin is more commonly used in that application. Usually this is on something besides a firearm.
IOW, you will need to make some shorter starter punches as mentioned above by @a5werkes
As to roll pins versus spring pins, I have found they can be interchanged nearly always however, if shear strength is desired, a roll pin is more commonly used in that application. Usually this is on something besides a firearm.
- Status
