Pinning Parts

[bert]

Hello

I have a question that may sounds odd to experienced members, hoe you won't laugh at me.

When pinning parts eg arms to torso, head to torso, how to get the 2 holes that are drilled in both parts aligned, so that the pin can fit.

Best regards

Bertrand

 

[Guy]

Hello Bert,

The method I use is to insert a very short brass pin (with still enough to grab onto with a pair pf needle nose pliers) and put a drop or two of red paint onto the head of the brass pin and move the (arm or leg) part in close to where it will be positioned . The still wet paint will leave a small amount on the corresponding part to be able to see where to drill that piece as well. Like I said, this is just my method that I have used over the years when I know the figure is going to be shipped. If the part has a locater plug with a corresponding lug-hole for fittment, I just use 5 minute epoxy. I have figures in my collection that go back 20 years or more and are still together, even after several major moves. Hope this is of some help.

 

[Roc]

Hey Bert,
Not odd,this is a very good question.
Guy's method is very effective and works real well.

I use a different approach I will first glue the arm to the torso with epoxy glue,
After it dries I will drill a hole through the arm into the torso, and insert a metal rod through it coated with epoxy glue. This is just my way ,I hope it helps.

Roc

 

[bert]

Thanks Guy and Roc for the kind reply . I'll try both methods and will tell you if it works for me .

Bert

 

[Uruk-Hai]

I usually estimate the contact area and drill the holes a little bit larger to give me some mm on my side to fiddle with.

Also I use twisted copper wire as it is a little more softer and can take curved shapes better.

Next I glue the wire into the hole of one section and see how it fits to the other part once the glue has dried. Then I make the necessary adjustments and glue the pieces together.

Always drill the holes at least slightly bigger so they can accomendate the glue.

 

[Jimmy S]

Roc, are you saying you drill through from the outside? I then assume you putty the resulting hole. I only ask 'cos I was thinking of doing it that way but was scared of ruining the fig.

 

[bert]

Roc, I understand too that you drill from the outside before inserting a pin ? Tell me if I miss something.

One question bothers me : do you practice the same way when pinning a head or legs to torso ? I guess it might not be very easy to drill the entire head ?

Thanks.

 

[Pete_H]

I use a very similar approach than what "Uruq-hai" (what's his real name anyway? ). Say, for instance, I'm pinning an arm. I insert the pin into the arm as I'd normally do. However, I'd drill a significantly larger hole into the torso. I then fill this hole with putty - typically A&B since I find it to be stronger than either magic sculp or apoxie sculp - and insert the pinned arm into it. After lining it up, I carefully remove the arm. Once the putty has cured, I end up with a pin & pinhole that line up quite well.

Hope this helps,

 

[Roc]

Hey Sharpie,
That's exactly how I do it.
Don't be scared you won't ruin the figure.

Roc.

 

[Roc]

Bon soir Bert,

I never pinned a head to a torso, I've painted and put together many figures, and so far none have lost their heads, the two part epoxy usually works well and seems to hold for ever,at least for me.

Usually most figures come with the legs already attached to the figure, but for those that don't, I use the same procedure described in my previous post,I drill the hole at an angle as to penetrate the upper thigh to the torso.

Roc.

 

[y_wong]

Hey Bert, I do what Roc and Pete do.

For arm and anything that dangle and might drop over time, I glue them together and drill through both items. After inserting the pin and superglue, I fill up whatever void created with a little epoxy and smoothened with either powder or water.

For bigger parts, especially the torso and the groin, a fitting hole in one and a loose(bigger) hole in the other. I fill the bigger hole with epoxy and insert the pin together with the part. Upon curing, a nice fit would have been created.


regards

 

[Ron Tamburrini]

I Know this is an old thread but here is a good method for alining pin to socket.
First drill desired hole, lets say to arm. take a little blue tack or model clay and
put where you want the arm to go,push the arm against this then remove.
You will be left with a little raised piece of blue tack. This is where you drill your second hole,and that's it. works every time.

A little footnote, use a pin drill to push through the raised blue tack to start
your drilling then remove the blue tack and drill. { if you use a dermal at the
start it might travel off going thru the putty.