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How to Get Custom Made Steel Pins Made

If you find that your project needs a specific type of pin to complete the build, you may want to design and produce a custom steel pin. Steel pins are used for a variety of functions such as providing a pivot point, keeping components in place and providing a stop point for moving parts. While many different pins are made in both metric and standard to many lengths, a custom solution may be required if you need an odd size or shape. You can produce your own pin by designing it on a computer aided drawing, or CAD, program and sending the design to a machine shop.

Things You'll Need

Calipers
Ruler
CAD program

Instructions

- 1
  Take measurements of the space the pin will fill. You will need both diameter and length. Also determine if the pin needs to fit flush with the surface or should be domed at the end to assist with removal.
- 2
  Contact a machine shop and ask to what tolerance they can produce parts. The tighter the tolerances, the more expensive the part will be.
- 3
  Design the pin on your chosen CAD program. Place a circle of the nominal diameter in the program and extrude it to the proper length. If the pin needs to be tapered, place two circles of the correct diameter the length of the pin apart. Snap a line from one quadrant of one circle to the opposite circle and rail revolve the line along the two circles.
- 4
  Determine the fit your pin needs to be inside the hole. If the pin needs to spin in place loosely, then you need a locational clearance fit. If the pin needs to remain in place but be removed frequently, you need to use the transitional clearance fit. For pins that should not be removed, use a force fit.
- 5
  Look up the proper fit from the provided tables to determine the tolerance numbers for your particular fit. Dimension your part in the CAD program and append the tolerance figures to the end of your dimensions.
- 6
  Print a side, front and isometric view to a PDF file and send the CAD file and PDFs to your chosen machine shop.

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