Hey folks, just a quick question on 1/8 th brass pins. Do you heat them before peening or just hammer them? Thanks, Izzy.

I'd just hammer them. Not too hard. You'll probably scorch your handle material before you get the pin hot enough to help.  Make sure you don't leave too much material when you cut them off before you peen them.  Brass will work harden pretty easily and split around the edges if you hammer on it too much. I use a piece of 1/2" drill rod that I made a concave surface on one end of to peen pins now (kind of like a tool for setting leather rivets).

Good idea Todd. I like the concave idea. Thanks.

If you find that the brass pins are too hard or are splitting while peining them, try heating the main pin stock to a dull red and quench. This will soften it and improve your odds of it not splitting. Like Todd says, dont cut them too long. A 1/8 pin needs about 1/16 of material for the head.