Making Examining Pins
This page is based on an article in the BHI's Horological Journal, March 1988, by Eliot Isaacs
When clock plates are held with taper pins it can be a pain to keep taking them in and out. By making a couple of sets of these pins, you will find it a lot easier to temporarily pin the plates together. This will make it easier to check end shakes etc.
Using some wire of varying thickness, it is very easy to make a set of pins (I suggest 4 of every size) that can be put in and taken out of the clock easily.
- Take the length of wire, about 3" of it, and file a taper on one end for about 1.5". Do this for all 4 pins and make the tapers as equal as possible.
- Next using pliers etc., bend the other end to form a handle. It is as easy as that!
- I suggest that you make one set using 0.125" steel rod. These will cover most clocks. You can then make a smaller or larger set when you need them. The making of the set should take less than a quarter of an hour.
