Configuration Options
Ball Lock Pins can be configured with several options to match specific application requirements. These options are available for standard products and can be specified during ordering. Custom grip lengths are particularly common, accounting for approximately 30% of all Ball Lock Pin orders.
Multiple Ball Configurations
Standard Ball Lock Pins use 2 or 3 locking balls depending on shank diameter. Additional balls increase pull-out strength by providing more contact points resisting withdrawal, which is why Heavy-Duty Ball Lock Pins use 4 balls as standard. More balls also distribute contact load across more points, reducing stress at each ball-to-receiver interface. This is particularly valuable when pins are used with soft receiver materials such as aluminum, plastics, or composite structures.
4-Ball Configuration
Four-ball pins can be configured and priced directly on carrlane.com. This is the most common multiple-ball option and provides significantly increased contact area compared to standard 2- or 3-ball designs.
5- and 6-Ball Configurations
Pins with 5 or 6 locking balls may be possible depending on shank diameter and ball drop geometry. These configurations require engineering review to verify mechanical feasibility and must be quoted individually. Contact Carr Lane with specific requirements for evaluation.
The increased number of balls distribute shear and tensile loads across additional contact points, reducing stress at each ball-to-receiver interface. This improves performance when receiver holes are machined in materials prone to deformation or wear, such as aluminum, plastics, or composite structures.
Drive-Out Feature (Double-Acting Pins Only)
The drive-out feature extends the spindle beyond the ball end of the shank, providing a hardened surface that can be struck with a hammer to assist removal. This option is available exclusively on double-acting Ball Lock Pins.
When a Ball Lock pin is under shear load, friction between the shank and receiver hole can make withdrawal difficult even when the balls are retracted. The drive-out extension allows the operator to tap the spindle end with a hammer, driving the pin forward while simultaneously releasing the balls. The impact moves the pin through the receiver hole without requiring the operator to pull against the friction load.
The drive-out spindle extension is manufactured from 17-4PH stainless steel in Condition A, providing a hardness of approximately 28 HRC. This hardness is sufficient to withstand repeated hammer blows without mushrooming or deformation while maintaining the corrosion resistance required for the locking mechanism.
Drive-out pins can be configured and priced directly on carrlane.com when specifying double-acting Ball Lock Pins.
Configured Grip Lengths
Grip length is the distance from the top of the locking balls to the bottom of the handle. Standard catalog grip lengths are available, but custom lengths can be specified to match specific fixturing and tooling requirements.
Custom grip lengths account for approximately 30% of all Ball Lock Pin orders, reflecting the wide variety of tooling configurations and workpiece thicknesses encountered in production environments. Carr Lane has manufactured Ball Lock Pins with grip lengths ranging from 0.010 inches to 14 feet. Custom grip lengths can be configured and priced directly on carrlane.com for most standard pin types.
Material and Finish Limitations for Long Grip Lengths
Grip Lengths Over 8”
Ball Lock Pins with grip lengths over 8 are not heat treated. Heat treatment of long, slender components introduces distortion and straightness issues that cannot be reliably corrected without affecting dimensional tolerances.
For applications requiring higher strength or wear resistance at these lengths, 17-4PH stainless steel in Condition A is available as an alternative. Stainless steel pins provide moderate strength and corrosion resistance without heat treatment.
Grip Lengths Over 12”
Ball Lock Pins with grip lengths over 12 inches receive black oxide finish only. Plating tank depth limitations prevent full immersion of pins longer than 12 inches, making electroplating impractical. Black oxide provides a non-dimensional finish with mild corrosion resistance suitable for climate-controlled manufacturing environments.
For applications requiring enhanced corrosion resistance at these lengths, 17-4PH stainless steel in Condition A is recommended. Stainless steel pins of any length are passivated to remove free iron contamination and maximize corrosion resistance.
Handle Selection Guide
Selecting the appropriate handle type depends on space constraints, accessibility requirements, operational environment, and how frequently the pin will be actuated. All Carr Lane Ball Lock Pins include a split ring for lanyard attachment. The split ring can be used to attach a lanyard, or for the most secure attachment, lanyards can be connected directly to the handle.