Quoth Ted Ernst:
>I have that little VAR tool. HEH-HEH.
>And I use it, too.
>All youse guys are collectively right on.
>BUT no one mentioned that when when you file the flats to seat the
>pin care must be taken.
>The cranks should be parrallel / straight, not 5 minutes after 6.
Actually I did, when I referenced http://sheldonbrown.com/
Any monkey can learn to operate a milling machine, but it is the simplest tools, the hammer and the file, that require the most skill.
Push the file forward, then lift it up for the backstroke.
There's a natural tendency to "see-saw" the file in the course of the stroke, which will create a curve in the "flat" of the cotter. Make sure that your hands stay at the same height during the course of the stroke so the flat will stay flat.
When filing, apply a slight twisting force to the file handle to apply more pressure to the wide side of the flat, this will help maintain the correct angle of the flat.
Sheldon "Clavettes" Brown
+------------------------------------+
| We can't legislate against every |
| stupid thing people will do. |
| -Jesse Ventura |
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