Fittings
What is a reveal pin?
A reveal pin is a threaded fitting that tightens a tube horizontally between two opposing faces of an opening, creating a friction fixing for a reveal tie.
Use this diagram+
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<figure>
<img src="https://scaffoldoptix.co.uk/glossary/reveal-pin/diagram.svg" alt="reveal pin — scaffold diagram from ScaffoldOptix" width="880" height="620" loading="lazy">
<figcaption>
<a href="https://scaffoldoptix.co.uk/glossary/reveal-pin">What is a reveal pin?</a> — diagram by
<a href="https://scaffoldoptix.co.uk">ScaffoldOptix</a>
</figcaption>
</figure>It turns an opening — a window reveal, a doorway — into somewhere to tie. The tube is cut to length, the pin is wound out against the reveal, and the tube is held by friction alone.
Friction alone is the important part. A reveal tie depends on the opening being sound and on the pin staying tight, and it has no mechanical interlock if either fails.
Because of that, guidance limits how much of a scaffold's tying can rely on reveal ties. They are a legitimate tie type, not a universal one.
What goes wrong on site
- Used in an opening whose reveal is not sound enough to take the load.
- Pins backing off over time and nobody checking them.
- A scaffold tied predominantly with reveal ties because they were quickest.