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I use heavy duty dikes to cut my pins to about 3/16" off the handle. Then, I slowly grind to about 3/32" and leave it flat topped.
Using a light ball peen hammer, I start lightly tapping in a circular pattern around the top of the pin (with the other end on the anvil section of my bench-vice). I do this to 'warm up' the metal.
After a few times around, I tap in the middle a bit and repeat the process. The shape of the pin starts to dome and then it indicates where it needs to be hit.
If I'm using tough material, I make sure to end with a few hard smacks.
If its wood or anything fragile, I go easy. It doesn't take much and a split can always show up later.
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