Pin Sizing

[Jeffinn]

When you guys rebuild a knife do you measure the old pins and try to match that size? Or do measure the hole size with and select the pin size accordingly? Should the pins fit fairly snug in the holes or do you allow a few thousandths of play?
I seem to have the most trouble with the mainspring/backspring pin, no matter how much I compress the spring it’s always a battle to get the pin in usually requiring me to taper the pin and tap it into place with a hammer. I’m working with some bone handles and the hammer approach seems like it might be a bit to aggressive for the scales.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!

[glennbad]

I find that the spring holes are almost always larger than the pin size needed. I tend to match my pin size to the hole size in the liner/scale. The original is obviously no larger that liner hole, so i use that as a guide. I try to retain my old pins when taking things apart, then I can mic it if I am not sure. An undersized spring/pivot pin will always lead to action issues.

[Jeffinn]

I noticed that about the spring holes, they are considerably larger than the pin holes in the liners. It makes sense to use the liner holes as a gauge to pin size. Thanks for the info.

[muskrat man]

I find that the spring holes are almost always larger than the pin size needed. I tend to match my pin size to the hole size in the liner/scale. The original is obviously no larger that liner hole, so i use that as a guide. I try to retain my old pins when taking things apart, then I can mic it if I am not sure. An undersized spring/pivot pin will always lead to action issues.

What Glenn said

If I have to put a rocker pin it last I always taper it as much as needed and tap it in. If you are worried about cracking the handle slab tapping the pin through ream the hole i n the bone with a drill a couple thousandths larger than the pin this way the pin is bearing only on the liner and not the handle itself then spin or peen a head on it as you normally would.

[Jeffinn]

Thanks MM!