How to avoid scratching my pistol frame when hammering out pins?

[Scarlett Pistol]

I couldn't find a thread dedicated to this question. I've been  working on my pistols and it's hard to avoid scratching my frames when hammering out pins. I'm about to try taping over the frame (only around the pin) with painters tape and then removing just the tape over the pin, and then hammering it out...

Do any of you veteran smiths or DIY'rs have tips or tricks you could share so we can keep our pistol frames pretty? Thanks for sharing!

[1SOW]

I'm a long ways from being a veteran smith, and I tend to be a little clumsy with a punch, hammer and pistol to hold steady.  If the pistol is secured in position my likelihood of a slipped punch decreases a lot. 

[gdawgs56]

If you have the correct size punch and correct type of punch, then it should be easy to keep the punch in position, avoiding damage to the frame, given that the pistol is secured like 1SOW said.

The only time I've scratched my CZ (I've stripped it down to every last part and reassembled it over 10 times) was when I was taking the right side decocker lever off.  Such a stupid mistake.

[Scarlett Pistol]

What are your preferred ways of securing your pistols? I just hold mine down but it can still move around at times...

[NFH]

A padded vise.

[gdawgs56]

my hand. lol

[cntrydawwwg]

A clamp with rubber jaws.

[BDG]

A bench block should be more than adequate to remove the pins... What pins are you removing that require you to secure your work?

[Scarlett Pistol]

I have a TS and sig p938 (both with metal frames) and I've dealt with pins for the triggers, sights, etc. I just have a mini wood bench (plight of a college student) and it's tough to keep my pistols from moving a little when punching pins. Since the bench block is heavy rubber (correct?) does that tackiness play a big role in keeping the pistols from moving? 

[BDG]

The Bench block is more plastic than rubber so it's not very tacky.
The grooves, channels and cutouts help to stabilize the slide and frame when tapping out roll pins and flared hollow pins.
All but one or two pins should push out with little effort.
As a general rule...When removing pins from a CZ its a good habit to push all pins from the right side of the frame to the left.
In the case of this pistol; the factory trigger pin was flared so much on the right side it was easier to push the pin from left to right. AND, it didn't matter in this case.
97jj
97kk
97k

I understand the limitations of a student budget... roll pin punches and roll pin started punches are not cheep.
Unfortunately, these are the best most reliable tools to keep your pistol finishes flaw free.

[M1A4ME]

You can get, for the roll pins, special sets of roll pin punches.  They have a little raised area in the center that keeps them centered in/on the roll pin.

That bench block device looks handy.

If you can't find one, or can't afford it, you might try a couple small pieces of soft wood to sit the slide/frame on (so the pin has room under the piece to move out of the gun) and one of those hand clamps from Lowes or Home Depot.  You can get them with rubber covers over the metal ends of the clamp and they are adjustable on that long shaft to allow them to be used on different thickness of tables/benches.

Yeah, I'm one of those guys who lays in on a soft disassembly mat (like the ones in the previous post) to start the pin moving and then I sort of lay it on my fingers and use the thumb/index finger to hold the punch while tapping it with a small (tack) hammer.

Just be sure you don't lose parts and you remember how to put it back together.    I hate it when someone brings me a bag of parts and asks for help getting something put back together.  It's so much easier if I'm the one who took it apart.

[Scarlett Pistol]

Thanks for the pointers and help! Can you guys share links to some of those roll pin punches that are nicer and have that little nub on point to help keep them centered on the pins? It's nice to get recommendations of what you guys like rather than digging around and guessing.

[BDG]

Thanks for the pointers and help! Can you guys share links to some of those roll pin punches that are nicer and have that little nub on point to help keep them centered on the pins? It's nice to get recommendations of what you guys like rather than digging around and guessing.

[/size]
Hollow-Ended "Starter" Punches For Roll Pins
 http://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-tools-supplies/general-gunsmith-tools/punches/roll-pin-holders-prod781.aspx

GRACE Roll Pin Punches
 http://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-tools-supplies/general-gunsmith-tools/punches/roll-pin-punches-prod38883.aspx

These Roll Pin starter & punch sets should cover 90% on your needs