Pinning Bands ( Brass )

[ben]

There has been discussion on pinning bands, so here is a tutorial on how I do it. Not that is the only way but just how I do it, maybe it will be helpful for someone.

First this is the tool that I use to either press or drive the band onto the call and also the 5/8 rod welded onto a pice of railroad iron I use to put the pins in.
  

Next I use this jig that holds the call in place while drilling. Set the height of the drill so that it nearly goes through 1/16 or so.


After holes are drilled ( I use 2 ) slip the call on the rod and drive the pins down until they just start to bend, then clip the pins off and peen down.


Slip on lathe mandrel and file the peens off.


After they have been filed down.


This is what the inside of the barrel looks like with the end of the pin peened inside the barrel by driving it against the rod. This is why you want to drill nearly through so not to cause a crack by driving it without drilling. This pin will not loosen and come out.
 

This is the brass pins that I use ( soft ) and drill with a #51 drill bit.
After the call is turned then finish the band as you like.


This is my story anyway.

ben

[RookieCalls]

Thank you for this introduction, will help me a lot!! Good pics!!

[TheJester357]

That's a great tutorial on pinning! I've always avoided drilling into the middle, but after seeing this, I'm going to try it and see if I like it! Thanks a bunch for taking the time to do this!

 Bob

[Robert A.]

Great tutorial!! I have been curious about doing this myself.

[theKCtermite]

Ben, thanks so much for a great tutorial.    I recently inquired about how this is done and whether or not to do it.  I have yet to pin my bands but I certainly like the idea due to the added security.  Combined with epoxy I bet it would be a bulletproof band installation.

Your drilling cradle jig is awesome.  

Can you clarify a couple specifics for me?

I want to make sure I understand the process of peening the ends.  You're driving the pins in until they hit the 5/8" steel rod and start to bend.  Then you're clipping the head off, presumably pretty close to the band's surface.  Then I get lost!  Do you use a ball peen hammer to peen the end or do you use a nail set or something like that?  

Why do you stop 1/16" short of penetrating the 5/8" barrel hole with the drill bit?  Not good to go all the way through even though the pin does?

[dogcatcher]

Great job Ben, that is simple enough I may start using bands.  I noticed you left out your photo of the window

Marvin

[BigB]

Excellent stuff Ben.   


Brian

[ben]

Answer to KC

I clip the pins close then peen down with a small ball peen hammer.

If you drill all way through, which is what I did originally, you get more punch out from the drill bit going through and get more brass on the inside. It looks much better not drilling all way through and still get the same thing.

[theKCtermite]

Thanks Ben.  I used your method, made a sweet drilling jig from some spare ipe and have had great success doing this on a few calls.

One thing I learned the hard way though...Be sure to get SOLID BRASS escutcheon pins.  I accidentally got brass plated ones, which are steel on the inside.  They work fine but they show up on a brass band.  I also thought it necessary to use spar urethane over them on the band so corrosion wouldn't be an issue.  I need to try some other hardware stores and locate the solid brass variety. 

I had an epoxied band let go on a blackwood call I recently made for myself.  To the epoxy's credit, the fit wasn't perfect and accidentally dropping the call on the concrete floor knocked it loose.  Three pins are good insurance and it is a 5 minute process at most.  I'm pinning from now on, and using the epoxy for added strength.

[Parker]

Awesome information.  It gives me a new found respect for banded callers!

Parker

[Hawks Feather]

Great information.  How about a picture of the finished call?

Thanks,

Jerry

[lazyMlazyK]

Great tutorial!  I made myself one of those jigs tonight