Why are radial pins easier to install?

[snipershot]

I was having trouble installing my 3/8 10 pins a few weeks ago, and someone mentioned using radial instead. I didnt give it much thought because i was determined to win the battle against my crooked holes. I took a few peoples advice and i feel pretty good about my pins now. I got a boring bar that kicks ass and i followed Erics advice and got some carbide end mills and with the additional accuracy of my south bend lathe, my pins are dead center. So my question is, why would a radial pin be easier to center than a 3/8 10? Is there something special witht the tap? Is the pin just magic? I doubt i will switch to it, but in case i want to try it sometime, im just curious. Thanks!

Joe

 

[Lexicologist71]

It has big flattish spots on the sides. Standard profile threads don't have that. Everything has its pros and cons. Do some research if you want the rest.

 

[aphelps1]

A radial pin has a barrel section with no threads used to register the pin in the hole. When tight tolerances are held boring the hole, the pin is a press fit.

Alan

 

[Varney Cues]

A radial pin has a barrel section with no threads used to register the pin in the hole. When tight tolerances are held boring the hole, the pin is a press fit.

Alan

Not that I prefer them...but many 3/8-10 pins are the same. It seems that pins with the barrel section are easier to center due to the glue pressure pushing the pin to the center of a slightly oversize hole. I prefer pins threaded 100% as there are no issues if the bored hole and tapping are done correctly.

 

[cueman]

The Radial has the alignment shoulder in the middle of the pin. And the tap has a pilot on the end of it to follow the hole. Both of those things help get the pin in centered. There are some 3/8 pins made the same way and Atlas carries a 3/8-10 tap with the pilot on the end of it. So now you can get the same centered results from either thread type.

 

[pdcue]

I was having trouble installing my 3/8 10 pins a few weeks ago, and someone mentioned using radial instead. I didnt give it much thought because i was determined to win the battle against my crooked holes. I took a few peoples advice and i feel pretty good about my pins now. I got a boring bar that kicks ass and i followed Erics advice and got some carbide end mills and with the additional accuracy of my south bend lathe, my pins are dead center. So my question is, why would a radial pin be easier to center than a 3/8 10? Is there something special witht the tap? Is the pin just magic? I doubt i will switch to it, but in case i want to try it sometime, im just curious. Thanks!

Joe

Who was this "someone"?

What did he/she say?

Why didn't you explain that a Radial pin wouldn't center in a
mis-drilled/bored hole any better than a 3/8 - 10 would?

BTW - all you really needed was a steadyrest(an actual steadyrest, not
a bearing block with a plastic bushing).

Dale

 

[cueman]

BTW - all you really needed was a steadyrest(an actual steadyrest, not
a bearing block with a plastic bushing).

Dale

Are you suggesting that he run three brass prongs (from a real steady rest)down onto his cue? Or am I missing something about what you think a real steady rest is?
It seems to me that the precision bearing with plastic insert would be a better option.

 

[pdcue]

Are you suggesting that he run three brass prongs (from a real steady rest)down onto his cue? Or am I missing something about what you think a real steady rest is?
It seems to me that the precision bearing with plastic insert would be a better option.

I probably mean exactly what I said.

I probably know what a real steady rest is.

You probably are missing something.

Dale(who uses bearing blocks - BTW)