Some one in a RC magizine has a better Idea for the T-Pins used in holding balsa while building, I don't remember who, does anyone?
Thanks
George

What problems are you facing with T-pins ?

Use Pin Clamps. They're made by Rocket City. If you can't find them, then I found a way to make them.

Punch a disk out of 1/32" plywood and push the pin through it. Add a drop of thin CA to the pin after it's in the disk. The CA doesn't stick to the pin because it's chromed, but it will help keep the pin tight.

http://airfieldmodels.com/informatio...tools/tips.htm

George, is this what you're talking about ?

i just stick the pins through the balsa.

Saw this tip years ago in RCM.

Take your Z-bend tool and put a Z-bend in the pin(s) so it now has a shoulder to hold down the work to the bench

I had major problems using t-pins in plywood, I must have bent 75% of the pins until I bought a Great Planes PinDriver T-Pin Pusher.
The thing works great, now I only bend about 25% of the t-pins I push in.

chris

That's a good one

OUTSTANDING! Now I can justify the price I paid for that Z-Bender. Thanks

Marvellous ! Simply marvellous ! Just tried it out and it works fine on sheetings. Need to orientate the horizontal part of the "z-bend" transverse to the grain direction of the sheeting so that it doesn't sink in.

Except it will leave dents in the sheeting and if you're using it to hold down soft sheeting (contest balsa) that doesn't want to conform, then it will be pretty ugly when you pull the pins back out. Then you ahve to go back and steam the dents out.

Still seems like a good idea for some things, but I think pin clamps will work better in many situations.

Hi cafeenman, I have also tried using discs, but if the pin is not perpendicular to the work surface, the circumference or edge of the disc can also create dents.

That is true.

Cafeenman, the dents caused the "z-pin" can be minimised with proper orientation as I mentioned earlier. Anyway, it is a very small depression that would not show through the covering anyway. I guess that the disc (or any scrap) can be sandwiched between the z-pin and work surface to prevent any dents, if it is warranted.

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Now I can justify the price I paid for that Z-Bender. Thanks
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Ditto ! How does "z-pin" sound to ya ?

You just let your "Million Dollar Idea" out of the bag...

I'll bet the "Z-Pin" will be on the market soon!

Now I can justify the price I paid for that Z-Bender. Thanks
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Ditto ! How does "z-pin" sound to ya ?
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That's what I'm doing as soon as I get home. I'm calling mine the "TZ-Pin.

OK GUYS - talk about a "better mouse trap" - Here's what I propose:

I'm going to combine thoughts from several of ya and make the ULTIMATE-PIN

1. SDR-Hammer = Z-bend the T-Pin

2. Rajul = Position pin to press wood against the grain

3. CafeenMan = Use disks on the pin (except I'm going to use rubber by hole punching a tire inner tube)

HEY! -- I"M SERIOUS HERE!

This will hold the wood without putting indentations in it.

I'll call it the " TZ- Pin with a patch"

4. Minnflyer = Ya wanna go in with me on this one for the big bucks? ( Guess I should be asking everyone who contributed.)

Ya'll - Just send cash and I'll start the ball ( ahem pins) rolling. (Smiling, as I leave work, knowing I'm going to be a rich man)

How about gluing the rubber to the disk? Then you should hook up a power supply and you can have a Padded Power Pin!

How about these?
[link]http://www.hobby-lobby.com/pins.htm[/link]

As a cheap replacement for the disks CafeeMan uses, try cutting 1/4 inch squares from a butter or margirine tub lid. Use them once and pitch 'em out. For a while the disks were unavailale from Rocket City and someone came up with the use of the lids. It works as well or better.

ROLMAO -- I'm on it!!

I did try the TZ with a patch last night. IT WORKS GREAT! I used a small hole punch to produce the rubber patches, but I think a larger hole punch might be better.

I plan on making about a 100, or so. I figure 2 - 3 beers ought to do it. [sm=tongue.gif]

I think this should be its own Poll thread. "Should people drink while bending T-Pins?"

If you put a piece of paper on each side of the rubber, it will cut more cleanly. That's how I cut circles out of Monokote too. Works very well with the monokote - not sure how well it will work with the rubber.

Sharpened brass tubing might work. Ed, what type and thickness of rubber sheeting did you use ? Any pics ? Thx

I just punched them out of a bicycle tire innertube. (now that I've flattened the boy's bike, guess I oughta repair it)
I don't own a digital camera, otherwise I'd be glad to post a pic or two.