Point actuator pins

[bulleidboy]

When I laid my points, I used a pair of side-cutters to cut the pin coming through the tie-bar, however this still left a sharp protrusion, which catches on the track cleaning pad (as mentioned by Roger B when discussing the Sharge track cleaner). I was wondering if using the Dremel with a small grinding stone, I could take (grind) this pin down a notch. These pins are made of hardened steel. Barry

[Walkingthedog]

It will work but the pin will get hot and hot metal and plastic don’t mix. Also if it catches and the Dremel snatches it could be nasty. How about a file.

[RogerB]

If you can bear it Barry I think I would be inclined to remove the motor and clip off the tip of the pin whist it is off the layout. R-

[Steve M]

You have to be very careful with a Dremel but it can be done. I have trimmed all of mine that way - no slips so far.

[footplate1947]

I do mine that way as well. You just have to take your time and let it cool down as you go. It is like drilling into hard brick.
If you don't cool the drill bit you will end up with tip less masonry drill .......
Bad workman always blames his tools.
As my old dad used to say.... Patients is a virtue........

[Walkingthedog]

The latest masonry drills cut through hard brick at an alarmingly fast rate. Take you by surprise

[footplate1947]

Depends on the bricks Brian. When we bought our first house in Wales in 2002 I had some jobs to do and I soon found out that the bricks were the hardest I had ever met in my life. Putting up a picture soon after we moved in and next door said the day after how did you get on drilling the wall he said with rye smile on his face. You will get through a lot of drill bits here you know. I soon found out that he was telling the truth. They were made at a local brick field at a place called Onllwyn nearby. I have never heard of or seen bricks like them in my life. They could destroy the best bit on the planet in seconds if you did not do it right. I once spent over a day trying to knock out a hole for a balanced flue for a boiler. It was in that house I learnt how to drill holes in bricks properly
You have not seen hard bricks until been to Onllwhy South Wales. Found out the reason was there was iron or in the clay they were made from.
So dont knock it till you have been there Brian........... .............John

[bulleidboy]

Thanks for the suggestions - I will "carefully" attempt a trial with the dremel. WTD - rest assured I am aware that heat and plastic do not mix. BB

[Walkingthedog]

Don’t knock it until you’ve tried the bits and the drill John. We have incredibly hard brick, I have melted the tips of many masonry bits. Recently borrowed a drill and the new bit and practically put the whole
lot through the wall

[footplate1947]

Yes the new one are better than the older ones but I really was not joking about those Onllwyn bricks. They really were the hardest bricks I have ever come across. I could not believe it myself at the time. They would even destroy the latest types if not used with care........I had to go out and buy a large SDS Pro drill to work on them,,,,,,,,,,,,,I don't blame you for not believing it but I speak the truth........................John