Neodymium and Kilt Pins?

[Mr. MacDougall]

A couple of you lads have advocated the use of magnets in the place of pins, for securing the kilt pin to the outer apron. It causes less damage to the fabric, if I understand the argument correctly.

I've just been poking about on eBay, looking at neodymium (AKA "rare earth") magnets, and see that they're offered in a variety of form factors and pull weights. So I'm curious about a couple of things -- what size / form have you used? Would you recommend the same, or different?

Do you replace the pin on the jewelry with a piece of stainless steel, or do you find that there's enough ferrous content in most pewter jewelry not to need it? Have you ever had difficulty with losing a pin without noticing it?

Thanks for any advice.

[James MacMillan]

I have been using the magnets that I scrounged from old hard drives, so I don't know how they relate to other sizes, strengths, pulls etc.

You definitly need some ferrous metal in the pin for it to work. And, truth be told, I have only done it where I was too lazy to solder or epoxy another attachment.

I can't say that it protects the fabric any more or less. It's just easier in some cases.

[demobud]

I have been using the magnets that I scrounged from old hard drives, so I don't know how they relate to other sizes, strengths, pulls etc.

You definitly need some ferrous metal in the pin for it to work. And, truth be told, I have only done it where I was too lazy to solder or epoxy another attachment.

I can't say that it protects the fabric any more or less. It's just easier in some cases.

I am assuming you could epoxy/superglue one magnet to the pin and use another (reversed in polarity) as the hold, correct? I was thinking about doing this for going through airport security.

[Mr. MacDougall]

I am assuming you could epoxy/superglue one magnet to the pin and use another (reversed in polarity) as the hold, correct?

The ones I'm finding on eBay are fairly large, and would make odd bulges if used that way. Which is why I figured, steel on the jewelry, magnet behind the cloth. But I'm all about hearing what others have done, what's worked, and what hasn't.

[demobud]

The ones I'm finding on eBay are fairly large, and would make odd bulges if used that way. Which is why I figured, steel on the jewelry, magnet behind the cloth. But I'm all about hearing what others have done, what's worked, and what hasn't.

Check out this link for magnets that are really affordable:

http://www.kjmagnetics.com/default.asp

I was thinking about attaching a small piece of cloth to the back of the apron to hold a small disk mag. That way the magnet will not get lost, and I can change out pins at will without damage to the kilt.

[BEEDEE]

I use 1/4 in. on the pin and 3/8 in. on the back side. Drill out a hole if possible and set the magnet in epoxy.

Brian

[Howard Clark]

I'm using magnets from dead hard drives too. The pin it's self is a london pattern anvil profile in somwheat thin damascus, and the magnets stick right to it through the cloth. I am working on a miniature claymore in damascus, but real work has to take precedence, so it could be a while.

[Nick]

I'm using magnets from dead hard drives too. The pin it's self is a london pattern anvil profile in somwheat thin damascus, and the magnets stick right to it through the cloth. I am working on a miniature claymore in damascus, but real work has to take precedence, so it could be a while.

Not meaning to hijack, but any chance we could get a picture?

[Ian.MacAllan]

. . . Do you replace the pin on the jewelry with a piece of stainless steel, . . .

. . . (BEEDEE) uses another magnet on the inside of the apron to affix his pin, . . .

The second magnet is a much better bet than stainless steel. Most stainless steels are not attracted to magnets.


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[LordKiltClad]

you can also order them fromhttp://www.woodcraft.com