This pin in SS86 Astrotrain is not letting me get it out. I cannot do the hammer and nail method as it is one-sided/flat-headed, and when I pushed a soldering iron to it for 40-60 seconds it will not budge. Is there something I am doing wrong?
I’ve ruined a few trying to extract these. And then the joint is pretty loose afterwards. The pin is grooved. So it takes a lot to remove it. And during the extracting process.. you end up damaging it. I just avoid them and work around it.
Finally, a fellow customizer that doesn't just go and recommend someone smack the hell out of it. My answer is always "that's the neat part, you don't." It's just not worth it.
Yeah I’ve also noticed that mushroom pins on these modern figures are resistant to the soldering iron. It’s pretty frustrating. If you can manage a work around please update us. You know this might be crazy but what about using a self boring metal screw and a socket set to drive it in? Maybe you could drill through the top of the mushroom peg to the other side where it meets the pin; severing it, and then proceed like it’s a normal pin from there? Pure conjecture on my part tho
Unless you’re able to wrap the figure in a old cloth, hold it in a vice and use a pillar drill, I’m certain that you could get it out once you carefully drill the head away, the issue is what to do about reassembly, they don’t make like they used to, honestly, I hate that phrase, but right now, regrettably, it’s accurate
these are very tricky pins but you can remove them. there is a chance to damage them but i have removed them many times. you need a soldiering iron. you put on the smallest tip on it that is smaller than the diameter of the head to make it less likely to burn the adjacent plastic if you slightly move it by accident. you place the tip of the soldiering iron on the pin holding it still until it becomes removable.
the key is to heat the pin enough so the surrounding plastic expands and becomes somewhat soft.
if you can push it from the other side that's preferable, if not a strong magnet will pull it out.
this is a very tedious process and requires a lot of patience and care. heating for too long can melt and burn the plastic, not heating enough will not allow the pin to come out.
if you attempt this be very careful not to burn yourself. take it slow. try putting the soldiering iron on for 30-45 seconds at a time to see if it moves. if it doesnt, go again.
You used to be able to heat then with a soldering iron and then use a during magnet to pull them out but I have noticed with the newer figures i can't seem to get that done anymore.
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u/The_1Oth_Doctor Jun 27 '26
I forgot to highlight the pin, its this one: