If I can keep our 'Moderators' from banning me or slowing my connection down (SC) so badly I can't respond,
I'll try and get an answer out.
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Comparator is a 'Pear' shaped set of calipers that measure the OUTSIDE of the pin you are trying to duplicate, and transfer that measurement over to the pin you are MAKING.
They are usually stamped out of heavy sheet metal, have a rivet hinge at the top, and have a screw for opening and closing them.
I'm sure you have seen them, just didn't know what they were called....
The REASON you use a comparator is so you don't wear down the measuring faces on your caliper or micrometer...
If you have the OLD firing pin, you actually don't need to know the diameter of it at any given point,
You just need to transfer that dimension over to the new pin as you grind/file/machine it.
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The reason you don't use nails, coat hangers, ect. is because you can't count on the metal to harden, soften, not to crack, or anything else.
A grade 8 bolt, if it's a really good quality bolt, is a good start, but nails are made of crap metal and they are just AWFUL for hardening without cracking or crystallizing.
Common 'Tool Steel' is DIRT CHEAP, easy to work, Hardens well, and usually comes with heat/quench instructions so you know what you are working with...
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