sizes of pins and drills ??

[flinchrocket]

Music wire or piano wire is tempered high carbon steel, spring steel,it's used in lots of Hobbys including remote control airplanes. I bought a tube of 20 pieces 36 in. long in early 80's. Mine measures .062 and after I drill through with 1/16 bit I take the barrel or ramrod pipes ect. out and drill the metal again with a #52 because most 1/16 bits are undersized and makes it difficult to tap the pin through. Jerry

[Tim Ault]

Me being for from experienced but another option I've used on the couple rifles I've done is pop rivet stem .  The ones I have are .075 dia.  On my first build I was looking around for something to use as a pin , the smallest bit I had that day was .075 being impatient as I was I started looking around for something I could use as a pin that size . Threw the mic on a pop rivet stem ! Perfect fit .

[mfharper]

Me being for from experienced but another option I've used on the couple rifles I've done is pop rivet stem .  The ones I have are .075 dia.  On my first build I was looking around for something to use as a pin , the smallest bit I had that day was .075 being impatient as I was I started looking around for something I could use as a pin that size . Threw the mic on a pop rivet stem ! Perfect fit .

All my pop rivet stems are aluminum. I assume yours must be made of steel.

[Tim Ault]

They are  steel   mostly stainless but have some regular steel also

[Pukka Bundook]

Me being for from experienced but another option I've used on the couple rifles I've done is pop rivet stem .  The ones I have are .075 dia.  On my first build I was looking around for something to use as a pin , the smallest bit I had that day was .075 being impatient as I was I started looking around for something I could use as a pin that size . Threw the mic on a pop rivet stem ! Perfect fit .

All my pop rivet stems are aluminum. I assume yours must be made of steel.

I think all pop rivets have steel stems, but as you say aluminum heads.
I have used these as well, and even for pins in pinfire cases.   Ideal for the latter.  I don't like 1/16" pins for gun -work. prefer a bit larger and stiffer/easier to hit in removal.   

[P.W.Berkuta]

Music wire?  1/16" dia??  and use a 1/16" bit ?
And it isn't lose?
OK, next time I see a True Value I'm getting some.
Or the welding rods, which ever I see first.

I have seen allot of guitar and other stringed instrument strings, but none near 1/16"dia.
Could it be called music wire but actually be for something else?

When I drill wood I find that the finished hole size is a wee bit smaller than the actual drill size used to drill the hole - this does not apply to metal.

[Scota4570]

Get some K&S Music wire,

http://ksmetals.com/

http://ksmetals.com/17.html

Decent hobby shops and some ace hardware stores have it.  Easy to order on line.

It is spring temper steel, very tough, and does not bend or deform easily.  It is uniform in size and smooth.  I would not use old nails and other soft stuff, this material is far better.  It will never bend or distort, causing damage to your rifle.

Larger sizes make great range rods.  You will have to add a piece on the end that can be tapped.