SPLIT PINS

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 52, 23 October 1931, Page 6

SPLIT PINS

HOW TO FIT THEM PROPERLY. | I With the advent of spring washers 1 and patent loeking nuts, the use of split pins is not quite so common now, but they are still widely used on motor vehicles. Although fitting split pins appears to be such a simple little job, the average mechanic generally manages to insert them as though they were intended to be permanent, with the j result that when, on a. future date, it is found necessary to remove them, frayed tempers and dam,aged knuck- , les are the lot of some unfortunate ■ person. Instead of the split pins be- ! ing an easy fit in the holes, one often ' finds that they have been driven in tightly with a hammer, then, to make them doubly secure, the long ends have been twisted round into all sorts of fantastic shapes, with the result that it is practically impossible ! to withdraw them, especially if they are situated in a confined or awkward place. T'o insert a split pin properly it should be of such a size that it can be pushed into position with the fingers, then the ends should be cut off so that they project only about a quarter of an inch. . These ends are prised open a few degrees, and it is then absolutely impossible for the pin to shake out no matter how much | vibration the part is subject to. To remove the split pin it is only necessary to pinch the ends together with a pair of pliers; it can then be readily withdrawn without damaging either the nut or the split pin.