very tiny nails?

[woofgang]

I hope that this is the right place, tossed up between here and hobbies.
I have a silver 1920's nail buffer which came to me needing a new chamois. The silver mount is held onto the wooden base with tiny silver coloured nails of which only two remain. The previous owner had remedied this with double sides tape! I would like to do a better job but can't find small enough nails. Any suggestions please?

[boxtops]

You might try a jeweller? They have weeny screws for watches.

[vulcan]

This site sells small [3/8] nails, only problem is it's in America so might be expensive for just a few nails.
http://www.micromark....-pkg-of-100,6562.html

[woofgang]

thank you both, now I have a starting place and a backup option.

[HowardKennitby]

Squire's Tools do a good range of model making stuff. They have small pins available.

http://www.squirestools.com/

[woofgang]

My goodness, there's a site where I could shop all day! Many thanks!

[jomifl]

Staples, stainless steel preferably. How short do they need to be?

[Khandro]

If it is a high quality article the original pins could be made of silver, from silver wire, or silver-plated brass, to avoid corrosion. You would be very lucky to find just what you want now, but it is possible to make something yourself from ordinary tailors straight pins. Decide on the length you need, and cut them off, grip them with a pair of long-nose pliers and with a small fine-cut file give them a few strokes to form a new point. If you are replacing the leather you will need to make a starter hole with a fine brad awl, or something similar, and you can hold them with the pliers to get them started.

[woofgang]

yes the remaining pins are silver coloured, might try the make your own thing, i was thinking of using the brass ones and colouring the heads. Its a nice piece but only I think "middle class" quality, prob not from Aspreys. Not sure how I'd use staples, the silver bit is only holed for pins...whatever I use I will need I think to put some glue in the holes in the wood as they have enlarged with age. It is otherwise (wood bit) in good condition so I don't want to replace it.
I still love that website...I potter with alternative dollhouses and there is a ton of stuff that I could use on there.

[Khandro]

The tailors pins have a domed head which would look right and they are high grade steel and shouldn't be subject to rusting on this article. If you want brass (but larger heads) you can use 'Escucheon' pins and reduce them also to the required length as above.

[Khandro]

PS Ref. the pin-holed wood. First take a little PVA white glue, and dilute it with water and with a small brush work it into the degraded wood and nail holes. Then make a paste from PVA and fine sawdust - make the dust yourself with sandpaper and any piece of wood, you wont need much - and with a spatula, or something similar press it into the pin holes, leave it for a few hours to dry and you will have a firm body to nail into.

[jomifl]

I often use slivers of matchstick to reduce the size of worn screw or nail holes, a drop of PVA as Khandro suggests would make a good repair.

[woofgang]

Thanks to everyone. I am not going to mark any answer as best as you have all been so helpful...AB at its finest!