DIY Mosaic Pins for Knife Handles

Hello and a warm welcome to all Instructables community. In this instructable, I am going to show you a simple and easy to make project. If you are a knife maker, then I bet you definitely like this. If you are making knives and install mosaic pins in their handles than definitely this project will save you a lot of money. Generally, If you are going to purchase these pins from the market you spend around 5-10 $ on a single 50 mm Long pins. I made a bunch of 100 mm long pins around 17 $.

If you like this instructable then definitely tells your opinion, because they are more valuable. If you didn’t get anything then toss me a message in the comment section. I always feel happy to help you guys.

Although you are free to choose whatever size you need, generally in knives pins from 6-10 mm are used to fasten the handle with a knife. The more variety of material you get the better design you are able to make. I buy whatever I got and used in this build. Following are the material I used in this build.

1. 10 mm brass tube.

2. 10 mm stainless steel tube.

3. 8 mm copper tube.

4. 6 mm brass tube.

5. 3 mm thick aluminum wire.

6. 1.2 mm brazing rod.

7. Two-part epoxy resin.

8. Colour pigment.

Since this is fairly simple build and there doesn’t need a bunch of tools. I completed this whole build with simple hand tools. Following the tools needed to build these pins.

1. Pipe cutter.

2. Wire cutter.

3. Hand hexa.

4. Hot air blower. (optional)

5. Drill machine and bits. (optional)

6. Syringe.

7. Files

8. Sandpaper.

9. Super glue

10. Masking tape.

Since there weren’t tons of cutting involved in this build you can cut all the material with simple hand tools. The overall length of the pins I kept is approximate 4”. The brass and the copper tube are cut with the help of pipe cutter and the stainless steel pipe is cut down to length with the help of hexa. After that, I close one end of the copper pipe with tape and insert the brazing rod in it and cut down to the required length. The tape serves as stopper and every cut is of the same length. Then I cut 3 mm aluminum rod to required length. Some length I kept slightly longer because I want to do some experiment.

After that, I lay the pieces onto the table and insert them into the bigger tube and make some random pattern. This work is completely depend upon your imagination and variety of material you have. After that, some designs are difficult to keep them in its position that’s why I glued them with super glue So that they remain in its position during the filling process.

After the pins are prepared I made a stand so that pins can stand at the vertical position. For that, I took a scrap Piece of ply and mark hole location by providing some gap. Then I drilled 10 mm holes so that the pins can be easily inserted in the holes but the hole will be drilled to a shallow depth. Then I close the one end of the pins and insert them into the holes I drilled.

Then I mixed two-part epoxy resin and add some glow in dark pigment. You can add any color pigment you want but always make sure that pins and color are visible very clearly. Because this thing creates a nice contrast in your pins. Then with the help of heat gun remove the bubbles from the resin and complete the preparation.

Then with the help of syringe, I filled the pins completely from top to bottom and to make sure that no air bubble left inside the tube I constantly heat up the pins at regular interval and also do little bit of taping so that resin would be able to fill up in every empty space inside the pins. Then I allow it to cure for the whole night.

Then I removed the pins from the stand I made and prepare them for finishing. After removing from the stand I Filled down the ends with the help of file and finish the filling marks I sanded them up to 220 grit of sandpaper. There doesn’t need too much finishing because rest of the sanding is done when these are installed in knife handles.

The end result of the pins is in front of you. If you like this project then don’t forget to give your opinion. Thanks for paying attention.