What size pins for bolsters?

[Jim T]

I've been making full tang knives with 416 stainless steel bolsters. I've been peening (peining?) the bolsters on with two 1/8 inch thick pins. What size of pins do the rest of use to attach your bolsters? What are the advantages/disadvantages to using smaller pins?

Jim

[Brad Johnson]

Greetings,
I use 3/32 heat treated 416 pins for my bolsters. You should use a #41 drill bit to drill the holes and a tapered reamer before peening.
Regards,

[Brad Johnson]

Greetings,
I use 3/32 heat treated 416 pins for my bolsters. You should use a #41 drill bit and a tapered reamer before peening.
Regards,

[Jim T]

Interesting. Thanks for the input Brad. The fellow who taught me always uses 1/8" pins and his bolsters look great. I sometimes end up with those annoying seam marks, probably because I grind away too much of the bolster when I'm finishing the knife. Or maybe I haven't peened them in properly.

I think I'll try 3/32" pins next time around to see if it makes any difference. Would be nice to have those pins completely invisible when the knife is finally finished.

Jim

[argel55]

Get a tapered reamer of whatever size pin you want to use. When the pin expands it will pull the bolster closer to the blade and help fill all the space.
I use a pin press which will expand and dome the pins at the same time , then I still hit it to mushroom it more to fill the space. It also helps the sand the pin with 600 grit sandpaper and wipe with acetone to make sure the sides are clean.