Pinning a mold.

[Kdog]

I've got a 3 cavity lil mac 1/16 Ball head that I've decided to pin to accept eyes. Got everything on the drill press but am trying to decide if I want 3mm or 4mm eyes. Any suggestions?

The head diameter is about .220 diameter. A 4mm eye is .157 dia and a 3mm is .118

 

[plateboater]

3mm is the ticket...... 4mm in my humble opinion will look a little big but I am not a crappie!!!!!!!!

 

[Bucko]

I use 3mm also. I bump up to the 4mm 1/8.

 

[Bucko]

What are you using as the pin? I have 4 molds I need to pin myself. Never successfully pinned a mold. Tried once a few years back. Wrecked 3 molds. Was trying to do it with a cordless. Don't have a drill press.

 

[Kdog]

I'm going to use Brass rod for the pin material. I do not think I would try it with a hand drill but if I were desperate enough, I would make a bushing plate and do it with a hand drill. Wrecked molds can be salvaged with some JB Weld

 

[LedHed]

Years back there was a guy on tackle underground that did a pic tutorial on pinning a mold. You might want to try a search there.
One thing you might want to consider is dressing the eye pin after you cut it. Next time I have it done - going to tumble the pins before inserting them. Better eye cavity.
I thought someone on here talked abut using rivets... Not sure how clean the eye cavity would be. I think one downside, to using rivets, is controlling the socket depth.

 

[hookup]

So let me see if I get this.

You get a 3mm brass rod and cut it into pieces that are big enough to fit into the hole you drilled in the mold and stick out a little to recess the eye.

And you do this to both sides of the mold.

Right?

How do you 'glue' the brass rod into the hole you drilled in the mold?

 

[LedHed]

Mine are pressed. Think the holes are a couple thousandths less than 3mm. McMaster Carr has the rods and bits.

 

[Kdog]

Hook up,
Yes, that is how I'm gonna do it. I figure if Im unhappy, it will be easier to slavage with JB weld.
Drilling the holes thru,
Fitting the pins,
Adjust to get depth right
Loctite pins in place

 

[hookup]

Good luck with the project

JB Weld has salvaged many of my molds

 

[Ron Don]

4mm will pretty much make it more of a pill head

 

[Bucko]

I have a 1/32 pro mold that I may try to pin again. Think I'll try the 2.5mm eyes though.