looking for auto pin push for hull planks

[RichardT]

I have one of the usual pin pushers to use on hull planking. I have difficulty controlling it. Is there a pin pusher that that has a spring release to snap the the nail in place, rather than having to push the pin in manually. It would seem to be easier for these old hands.
Thanks.
Richard

 

[Steef66]

I use a pair of pointed pliers in which I filed a slot where the pin fits.

 

[RichardT]

I think the pin pusher would be something like a spring-loaded center punch but instead of making a starter hole would push the miniature nail.
Richard

 

[DerekC62]

I have this "Nail Nailer" from Amati. Unless they've changed the design (mine is about 30 years old) it's spring-loaded.

 

[Tommy Bowler]

I use the Amati one as well. Very handy

 

[OlivierF]

Similarly to @Steef66 I use a pair of cross-lock tweezers that I filed a notch into the tip to hold a pin. I will also drill a pilot hole prior to tapping in a pin.

 

[jbradford]

I have seen Olha Batchvarov use one she designed herself. It looks very easy, but I am not sure how to find it now.

 

[seadeep]

I have this "Nail Nailer" from Amati. Unless they've changed the design (mine is about 30 years old) it's spring-loaded.


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Unfortunately, I purchased one of those last year, and I find it not only expensive but also less than useful. I'm glad others have found it useful, but that's not been my personal experience with that particular tool.

The quality of the tool isn't the greatest, and it simply isn't sized to work properly with a lot of the brass nails that come with kits. Specifically, the tube that accepts the brass nail isn't large enough to use with most of the brass nails I've used with Corel and Artesania Latina kits. It might fit the nails Amati provides with their kits, but I can't speak to that as I've never built an Amati model kit.

I do have an older, wooden handled nailing tool... but it too has challenges. In it's case, its sized large enough to handle any brass nail I've used so far, but also so large that you kind of have to hold the nail in place till it's placed against the plank for nailing... otherwise the nail falls out. lol I do kind of like the idea of grinding a slot in the mouth of a needle nosed plier as that would let me to securely grab... and direct... the placement of the nail. My concern with using a tool that auto injects the nail into the model is that it would likely create damage to the planking as well.

Now for the loaded question... "Is there anyone else here that's managed to drive a brass pin nail through their finger during a build?" I have. And am embarrassed to admit that it's happened more than once.

 

[RichardT]

Seadeep,
pretty much my difficulty with existing push nailers. That is why I am looking for something that drives the miniature nails with a release that will activate the spring to drive the nail without pushing it.
Richard

 

[Steef66]

Seadeep,
pretty much my difficulty with existing push nailers. That is why I am looking for something that drives the miniature nails with a release that will activate the spring to drive the nail without pushing it.
Richard

 

[Short John Bronze]

I have at last acquired a Micro-Mark pin inserter. After trying to buy from M-M and getting a ridiculous shipping cost I went via Amazon UK to Amazon US and got a much more sensible quote. It is certainly a fit tool for the job. It took less time to cross the pond than it did to cross the remaining distance from a depot to my door!
I, too, am reluctant to use pins for securing planking but there are other places where a pin inserter is useful. The 40 deadeye straps on FRAM are each fixed by three pins; also (on this particular model) there are re-enforcing straps at bow and stern (for ice breaking?) with six pins each. Rudder hinges usually have pins.
In my salad days (green in judgement) I bought an Amati pin pusher. It broke very quickly. (Give me the job and I'll finish the tools!)