Thread: Removing a mis-aligned roll pin

Hi Ned,
Have you tried getting hold of the end with a pair of vise grips (so they close up the pin) and pulling? you can also try to lever the vise grips off the shaft with a large screwdriver or small pry bar.

Drill it out with a drill bit smaller than the hole. It will leave a thin walled roll pin which should come out easily enough. Maybe Perhaps you should wait to hear from more experienced metal heads.

I was going to suggest a self-tapping screw and a slide hammer but then I realised the screw will tend to expand the pin. Could you tap a proper thread in it? I'm doubtful, those pins are pretty tough. Sorry, just thinking aloud. Sometimes that can trigger other ideas.

Another thing to try:
Put a pin or nail in the hollow centre, then use vice grips. It could help prevent it slipping off due to it collapsing inwards.

Jordan

Originally Posted by Ueee

getting hold of the end with a pair of vise grips (so they close up the pin) and pulling? you can also try to lever the vise grips off the shaft with a large screwdriver or small pry bar.

Second this approach... make sure those vice grips are gripping the pin REAL tight.

How did it manage to get in that far with the holes misaligned !

I just did a google on roll pins

Can you somehow turn the shaft or that collar and align the holes , this might loosen it .

Mike

Originally Posted by morrisman

How did it manage to get in that far with the holes misaligned !

I just did a google on roll pins

Can you somehow turn the shaft or that collar and align the holes , this might loosen it .

Mike

Mike,
I'm guessing that the roll pin hole is not drilled on center and Ned has put the pin in with the 2 parts 180deg out.

Roll pins are soft, just drill it out....

Hard to believe they are that badly misaligned you cannot turn the shaft around and just punch it out wiith a small punch...

Originally Posted by Ueee

Mike,
I'm guessing that the roll pin hole is not drilled on center and Ned has put the pin in with the 2 parts 180deg out.

Spot on, I am 180 deg. out, and had I checked the alignment like I usually do, I wouldn't be here asking for advice. As for "how did it get that far", it felt fairly normal until I hit a dead stop.

I will go and try the suggestions so far.

Thanks,

Ned

EDIT: Tried the vice grips with a drill in the centre of the pin to stop it collapsing, but unsuccessful. I think I will give drilling it out a go. I was a bit edgy about drilling it out because I thought roll pins were very hard. I think I have a cobalt drill somewhere, so if I can find it I will try it.

Try putting a bend on the end of a punch to get around the corner to knock it out, maybe a punch that is a smaller diameter than the hole, if it is good quality roll pin it will be hard to drill and vice grip's will just slip off.

Originally Posted by .RC.

Roll pins are soft, just drill it out....

Hard to believe they are that badly misaligned you cannot turn the shaft around and just punch it out wiith a small punch...

RC, you were right. The roll pin was 5mm, and the only cobalt drill I had was 5/32, which was perfect to drill out the guts of the pin. I must admit I was surprised at how easy it was to drill. I then sunk an easy-out in about 1/4" and grabbed it with a set of pincers, and it just slid out.

Thanks to all for your suggestions - PROBLEM SOLVED (I will check the alignment in future. Pity the drilling wasn't done on centre to start with)

Cheers,

Ned

If there enough of the pin protruding to put a thread on it perhaps if a nut was then screwed on you may be able to lever it out with a screwdriver or fit washers (one at a time) under the nut to withdraw it as you tighten said nut. I discarded the roll pins on my lathe and made some shear pins from free machining aluminium (2011 T3). They are 5.0mm dia. I have cut roll pins with a hacksaw so they are not too hard.
Russell

Hi,

I think drilling will be the way to go. But if you try the vice grips again or can get at it with a punch, spray so WD40 or other type of lubricant onto pin/hole.

Ben

Originally Posted by rusty steel

If there enough of the pin protruding to put a thread on it perhaps if a nut was then screwed on you may be able to lever it out with a screwdriver or fit washers (one at a time) under the nut to withdraw it as you tighten said nut. I discarded the roll pins on my lathe and made some shear pins from free machining aluminium (2011 T3). They are 5.0mm dia. I have cut roll pins with a hacksaw so they are not too hard.
Russell

Russel,

Looks like we both posted at the same time. All sorted now, but the idea of softer shear pins sounds like a good idea in case of a "crash".

Cheers,

Ned