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Over the weekend I got the Operation: Icestorm starter set for Infinity, and holy heck, they all have tiny connection points! How have people successfully pinned arms and stuff on Infinity models without going crazy?

I know it is not very helpful, but thin pins and sharp drill bits. I think I burned through three bits pinning the IceStorm box set. FYI, that box has the older sculpts. The newer infinity stuff goes together a lot better and usually doesn't require pinning if you wash them well and use a strong glue.

The newer kits go together better, but generally speaking when assembling metal models I like to use a dab of greenstuff in the connection. It'll fill any gaps in the socket and is generally sticky enough to hold the parts in place until the glue dries. As a bonus, super glue and green stuff accelerate each other so it holds a lot faster.

The hard part is realizing just how little green stuff you need. I pinhead is probably pushing too much. I generally tell people to make a small ball and cut it in half, then use half of that in the connection point.

Regular Arm & Hammer baking soda is your friend here (or any other generic store brand)

I almost never pin anymore, most of the Infinity models don't need it. Make sure you wash the models, CB uses a lot of mold release when metalcasting (it's just talcum powder) and washing off the residue helps the glue and paint stick better. After gluing and positioning the parts I'll sprinkle some baking soda into the wet superglue. Baking soda+superglue instantly sets as a hard plastic, filling in any small gaps in the joint. The baking soda & glue can also be sanded or filed or scraped into a desired shape, and because it instantly sets I rarely bother with zipkicker anymore especially since zipkicker weakens the superglue while the baking soda makes it much stronger than just glue by itself. That extra strength from the powder is why I rarely need to pin.

When I do need to pin something, I try to do it from the outside if it's a hard to line up joint. I'll glue the parts together and let them set, then drill through both of them in an area where I can fix the hole with putty. Insert a pin through both parts, fill the hole with putty or superglue & baking soda and file it down flush to the surface

I almost never pin Infinity models except to the base. The only ones I did pin were the Iguana tag and some conversions I did.
What also helps to make a stronger bond is to score the joints with a scalpel knife. I have zero breaks thus far.

Never pinned any of mine either and never had a problem.

IMO and like others have said the most important thing you can do is a good clean up and a decent glue.
I use this one.

 Kalamadea wrote:
Regular Arm & Hammer baking soda is your friend here (or any other generic store brand)

I almost never pin anymore, most of the Infinity models don't need it. Make sure you wash the models, CB uses a lot of mold release when metalcasting (it's just talcum powder) and washing off the residue helps the glue and paint stick better. After gluing and positioning the parts I'll sprinkle some baking soda into the wet superglue. Baking soda+superglue instantly sets as a hard plastic, filling in any small gaps in the joint. The baking soda & glue can also be sanded or filed or scraped into a desired shape, and because it instantly sets I rarely bother with zipkicker anymore especially since zipkicker weakens the superglue while the baking soda makes it much stronger than just glue by itself. That extra strength from the powder is why I rarely need to pin.

When I do need to pin something, I try to do it from the outside if it's a hard to line up joint. I'll glue the parts together and let them set, then drill through both of them in an area where I can fix the hole with putty. Insert a pin through both parts, fill the hole with putty or superglue & baking soda and file it down flush to the surface

I didn't know about the baking soda+superglue thing. Went and bought some last night to try out when I get back to work on Wildfire.

Thanks for the advice. I'll try the baking soda trick for them!