AusBonsai

Hi all,

I have just started doing this seasons grafting on a few trees and realised that the pins i use are beginning to run out. I originally got them from the pin dish at work but that has been long since emptied and refilled with small headed ones. The person who orders the stationary cant remember where they came from originally. I have tried all the newsagents in the area as well as office works and a few online retailers. None seem to stock these large ball headed pins. Does anyone know where i can get some? I got a little bored at work so i drafted up a drawing showing the size. If any one sees a pack around please let me know.....

Cheers,

Joe

Hi Jow,
You could try a hardware store or a furniture upholster.

Possibly an Office Supplies shop?

Or maybe someone thats into voodoo dolls.

Hi guys. Thanks for the suggestions. The problem is not so much that I can't find pins but I can't find ones with an oversized ball head. I have tried office suppliers in my area as well as local hardware stores. I have had no luck. If anyone sees pins in the dimensions as per the drawing please let me know.

Don't know if it's any help Jow, but check out this place. There aren't any photos and they don't state the sizes, but there could possibly be something there that would suit your needs:

http://www.melbmap.com.au/cgi-bin/site/ ... 2=Map_Pins

I think i have tones of them at work, But you could try Lincraft.

Go to Bunnings and ask for Upholstery pins.
These have the big round head you are looking for. You can push them into soft wood or use a small hammer to bash them into harder wood.

I'd be giving orificeworks a gander.

Thanks for all the replies so far... and....

I have tried office works with no luck.

I will have a look at lincraft next time im near one.

That map link is interesting.. i will email them today..... (edit checked their website and they don't have the pins i'm after)

Re: Upholstery pins.

The pins i am looking for have a ball on the end, so the area that contacts the trunk when you stick them in is round. All the upholstery pins i have seen are flat on the bottom. I need a pin that is ball shaped so it doesn't scar the trunk as the grafts expand.

I have attached a pic with a pencil for size comparison.

Hi Guys
Is there any steerl that can't be used in pins nials or screws for this? Is any steel poison to the tree ?

I have previously used steel, galv, stainless and brass screws in trees with no ill effect. I also have a couple of trees that have swallowed copper wire and seem healthy. I personally think it is a non-issue. Happy to be proved wrong though.

Ah thanks Jow I have been wondering this.

I think that some of those metals can be poisonous to trees, but the amounts that a tree can absorb through a nail or screw are so negligible that it is a non issue. Bare in mind though that that is just my layman opinion.

Don't think there is any harm in it, Bretts, actually orchardists hammer galv nails into trees to counteract zinc deficient soils! Just one or two is enough for a fruit tree.