Kilt pins revisited

[Germankilter]

Chas you have my interest peaked. What do you use as a backer? The coin, or a negative polarized magnet? And how much weight will they suppost? And lastly I'm guessing a craft store like Michaels would have those?

[Chas]

Chas I'm intreged. What do you use as a backer to hold the "pin" in

Chas you have my interest peaked. What do you use as a backer? The coin, or a negative polarized magnet? And how much weight will they suppost? And lastly I'm guessing a craft store like Michaels would have those?

Hi Erik,

The backer is a UK one penny coin. I change it about twice a year for a nice shiny one, although I don't think that would matter too much. We are not talking about rust or corrosion, just that it is not shiny.

Because there are two magnets, I have not noticed any slippage - ever! The only hazard (if we can call it that), is that the kilt pin will attract itself to any passing steel. So if I lean over my open car door, I hear a clunk. I notice it, so it is not a big deal.

I bought the magnets from eBay - they came by normal post. I am in the UK and the number of craft stores here has dwindled to almost nothing in the last 20 years.

One last tip. If you are using two magnets, be aware that they will either try to attract or repel. Glue the first and only when dry and hard glue the second - and hold it till it too is dry and hard.

I see no reason why it could not work in reverse - the kilt pin acting as the backer. As long as it has a good ferric content.

Regards

Chas

[JohntheBiker]

I have used broach pins and adhesive purchased from Michaels and it works like a charm. Used it on geode slices (acknowledgement to Chas - liked the idea). Only drawback is the height of the pin - the kilt pin does not lie flat against the kilt. I'll have to try the post pins or magnets next.

Thanks for the ideas.

[BuchananBiker]

Hmm. Hadn't thought of using rare earth.... Goodness knows they'd be strong enough.

[Scout]

If you've got a friend in the IT business you've got a potential source of rare earth magnets. They're an integral part of computer hard drives. Ask you IT friends to set aside any old hard drives they're going to scrap and salvage the magnets from them.