Removing Epoxied Pins - HELP!!!

I make 1 or 2 knives a year that I typically give away to friends or family. Basically I work on them when my job, other hobbies and 4 & 7 year old allow me too. A good buddy of mine asked me several years ago to make him a knife and about a year ago I finally got started on it. I had a short window over the holiday to try to make some progress and got in a rush and made a senseless mistake... I used the wrong pins (they don't match) when gluing on the scales! I was/so irritated at myself I could just scream!!! While my buddy has indicated he couldn't care less if they matched, I do. I am trying to figure out if there is a way to remove just the one pin without destroying the rest of the scales/handle. I used Devcon 5 minute epoxy (part of my rush) and the scales are stabilized elk sheds. I was thinking about trying to use a soldering iron, putting it right in the middle of the pin I want to remove and then heat just the pin enough to break the epoxy bond so I can punch it out. Has anyone else ever tried this? Are there any pros out there with a better suggestion?

No suggestions from me, but another question... putting heat to the mosaic pins followed by a punch, isn't that likely to just push out the middle (it's just small brass "pins" epoxied into a larger outside tube, right?)... unless you use a punch the exact diameter of the outside tube, like a punch for rolled-pins?

Good luck

Try the heat or battery, "+" one side "-" the other. That will heat them up.

Might try a soldering iron gun to heat just the pin then use a punch to tap it out.

If your buddy s good with it then I would caulk it up to a one-of-a-kind learning opportunity and leave well enough alone....

You better get some help from the real professional knife makers here on the Forum! Heat is the only thing I know of that will release the epoxy, but how you apply the heat to the "target" pin so that you don't mess up the bond around the rest of the scale is something that needs professional advice. And then replacing the pin and ensuring the fresh batch of epoxy will keep it in place may be an issue. My totally unprofessional opinion is that, if your buddy is happy with the mismatched pins, gift it and be done. I kinda like the look! Where does it say, in the BOOK OF KNIFEMAKING, that pins have to match?

I totally understand wanting everything to match. That's how a knifemaker should feel. Just good enough isn't good enough!
I'd start by taking a .093 drill bit and drilling through the center of the pin that you want to remove. Then step up drill size in small increments removing everything but the .250 tube. The drilling itself may generate enough heat to loosen the main diameter pin. If not touch a soldering iron to inside of the .250 tube. I doesn't take as much heat as you would think to break the epoxy bond.

Id say the difference is minor and if gifting I dont think the recipient would notice or care. I can hardly tell, had to look closer. Id hate to mess up the other parts. Custom knife makers always notice their mistakes more and they look bigger too when in reality many wouldn't or not care. Your knife looks really nice. JMO

Thanks for the kind words. I'm on the fence as to whether to try to fix it, but my inner perfectionist will likely make me do it! If I tackle it I will certainly report back and let everyone know how it turned out.

Thanks again!

Question? Will you put a makers mark on it? If so I'd darn sure want it to meet my standards if it has my name on it. Now if it's a kit build from a purchased blade blank with no makers mark then just flip a coin.

he said give them to friends and family, but Id put my mark on it anyway.
Wether its your build or a kit, put your mark on it. Its your work and someone will love it.

Ive done both and sold "kit" knives for more than some of my customs. Its the customers choice! Good Luck

It started out as a piece of CPM-154 bar stock that I shaped, ground and hand finish sanded, clearly the handle still needs some attention... I don't have the setup for adding a makers mark and have never really cared since everyone that I give them to knows where it came from. All the same, I take a lot of pride in my work and want it to be the best I can do!

That last statement is what it’s all about what makes you happy. Hope you get them out easy if that’s the road you take. In a side note if you can find a local vendor that has laser etcher you could come up with a logo and way to apply it. Good luck!

Couldn't you drill out all but the outside tube and make it a lanyard hole?

I finally got a few minutes this weekend and managed to sneak out in the shop. I took Mike's and started with a small bit and worked my way up/out. Once the "guts" were out I used a hot glue gun (I don't know where my soldering iron is...) to heat the remaining brass tube and then inserted an EZ Out and just unscrewed the tube. No harm no fowl, it all worked like a charm and now all I need to do as add an edge to the blade and deliver to my buddy!

Thanks again for the kind words and advice!

Toby

Awesome!

Nice looking knife too!

Looks good !!!

Looking good. Forrest