What is this pin in pliers joint?

[Earl Grey]

This is a Tsunoda KBN-100S, designed for tightening and flush-cutting cable ties.

There's a feature of the joint that I have never seen before -- a tiny roll pin pushed in to a hole in one half, pointing directly toward the pivot axis.



Anyone know what it's for?? This type of joint normally holds itself together. Is it a leftover of a manufacturing process??

 

[rlitman]

It looks like it's there to stop the pliers from opening too far. Yeah, I've never seen something like that before either.

 

[RTM]

Opens too far, releases spring, you get pissed when little spring hides under center of heavy workbench.

Rlitman sounds on target to me.

 

[Earl Grey]

Well damn, you must be right. Thanks both. I have their bigger sibling too which I knew for sure didn't have the pin, but having just pulled them out to check, doesn't have a spring to escape either!

 

[Armatron]

The cotter pin serves as the stop. If you remove it, the pliers open further to allow the spring to be pulled out.

 

[FigN⋅m]

The cotter pin serves as the stop. If you remove it, the pliers open further to allow the spring to be pulled out.

Thanks for the update