Choosing the Right Ball Lock Pin for Your Application

For more than 75 years, industries across the globe have relied upon Vlier’s precisely engineered components, and our line of ball lock pins perfectly embodies this trusted performance. With the ability to provide positive locking until release through a standard push button, Vlier Lock Pins are suitable for a wide range of applications in industries such as manufacturing, medical, automotive, marine and more. In this blog, we can help you choose the right ball lock pin for your specific application.

Lock Pin Capabilities

No matter the size or design, each of our locking pins operates under the same basic principle, offering quick fastening, positive locking and adjusting in repetitive connections until the button is depressed. When pushed, the button moves the center spindle forward to allow the locking balls to retract into a radial groove and release the device.

The pins consist of a shank body of commercial grade 300 stainless steel, a brass push button for quick release and a black anodized aluminum handle which comes in three designs: the comfort grip T-Handle, space saving L-Handle or low-profile Button Handle. Each handle option serves the same general purpose, but provides different levels of comfort and size for gripping.

Factors to Consider

When deciding on an option to suit your application, you should consider the space available, the environment and the frequency of use for the pin. Is there enough room for the T-handle style? If not, you may want to opt for a smaller L-handle or even a Button Handle, which can fit in the smallest of spaces.

Once you’ve selected a handle style, you should then consider the size of the pin you need, which can be accomplished by determining the shear load of your application. You’ll also want to establish whether the pull-out force will meet the demands of the application, which you can determine by looking at our performance specification chart. Additionally, grip length is an important factor to ensure the selected pin will be a secure and precise fit. The grip length is the measure between the base of the handle and the ball bearing locking feature.

A final consideration is whether or not your lock pin requires a lanyard. We offer galvanized or stainless steel ball lock lanyards which feature clear nylon coating and range from 6–24 inches in length.

How Can We Help?

No matter what industry you’re in, we have the right lock pin solution that will exceed your specific need. With great pricing, off-the-shelf availability and refined quality, you can rely on Vlier’s precision engineered components. Contact us today to learn more about our extensive line of products.