Confessions of a Novice: Inlay repairs

[Hurricane ( of Virginia)]

Had to reattach some inlays along the forestock of a long rifle. Unable to find pins for the euschuteon inlays... 0.041 inches holes. Found them! The studs or "posts"  on women's pierced ear rings worked. Obviously I cut the decoration off.... could look neat if one used many with the deco attached.     Everybodys' got one or two, missing the mate (just like socks)  hanging around in a draw. Hope this helps. Worked great for me, at least until my wife finds out.
Hurricane

[Don Getz]

Fred.......the next time you need some, take a small brad..1/2" to 3/4" long, cut the head off, and stick it into an electric
drill, or drill press.   Take a fine file and file it to a long point, so it will look like an old phonograph needle.   Drive it into the
hole in the inlay untill it "snugs up" in the hole, not too hard or you'll put a dimple in the inlay.   Then clip it off and file down to the level of the inlay.   I also found a great way to put those small holes in new inlays.   Buy a small collet to fit
your dremel tool, insert the small  drill you want to use and it will drill that hole so quickly, and doesn't seem to wander.
............Don

[Dennis Glazener]

Buy a small collet to fit
your dremel tool, insert the small  drill you want to use and it will drill that hole so quickly, and doesn't seem to wander.

I manage to break those small ones in drill press I know they wouldn't last long in a Dremel tool!
Dennis

[Don Getz]

Dennis.......you would be surprised at how quickly they drill a hole using a Dremel tool.   Little or no downward pressure
is required, it is almost magical.   Remember, we're going thru thin, soft material.    After doing this, my next thought was
to use this to sew leather, rather than punching a hole, drill it.......I think it would work.............Don

[billd]

Dennis,   Your drill press is too slow for those tiny bits.  Try the dremel, you'll be surprised.

Bill

[dyted]

 To weather the dremel cones work on leather, yeah they do.   Dyted

[Dr. Tim-Boone]

Dennis.......you would be surprised at how quickly they drill a hole using a Dremel tool.   Little or no downward pressure
is required, it is almost magical.   Remember, we're going thru thin, soft material.    After doing this, my next thought was
to use this to sew leather, rather than punching a hole, drill it.......I think it would work.............Don

It works WELL and FAST 

[Hurricane ( of Virginia)]

Don: Thank you. Was able to get #18 G brass tacks. Filed them as you suggested with drill. Made great pins. Second one I did looks like originals!
Hurricane