Homemade Heavy Kilt Pin ready for a Gale

**unixken** · 24th September 13, 06:12 PM

Originally Posted by TheOfficialBren

Bloody gorgeous kilt and pins, Ken! Well done!

Originally Posted by ronin6290

Looks nice Ken and well suited to the lovely tartan..

Thanks, gents.

**Spartan Tartan** · 26th September 13, 02:53 AM

I like the magnet idea. I don't wear a kilt pin for two reasons--I don't like putting a needle through my kilt and I have never seen one for sale that was to my liking (and affordable).

I do, however, very much like how you made yours and the uniqueness of it is nice too. I am still pretty used to never wearing one, but I definitely like what you did.

**tundramanq** · 26th September 13, 03:20 AM

When I made a heavy kilt pin from a 4 inch metal cross, I used two tie tack pins epoxied to the back to spread the weight across two points. It hasn't damaged my USAK casuals yet.
Wearing the pin higher helps a lot. Wearing it too low allows the apron above to become a wind scoop.
Another wind proofer is extra change in the sporran and wearing it lower, if needed. Experience has taught me that if it is just the lower half of the apron getting blown around, it is a non Marilyn issue.

I like your rock pin. It has me thinking of using some thin, cut and polished, petrified wood pieces I have.

**Laird_M** · 26th September 13, 04:30 AM

Simple + subtle = nice!

**ronin6290** · 26th September 13, 05:03 AM

Guys.. thank you for the encouragement and feedback. I had been thinking the same about wearing the pin higher. Makes sense and I also like the look. Ah! Wood thinly cross sectioned. I really like that notion. Wood is mostly what I've enjoyed working with in the past. I like mixed materials that show contrast. Many things to explore. Again, thanks this was a first for me. First kilt related item I've ever made. So thanks much on the feedback. In regard to making the magnet work the trick is to find one just powerful enough so the pin is secure but so that it does not seek out other metals to stick to. Rare earth magnets are very light, small and powerful and come in many sizes. Cheers for your morning. A bit of fresh air today here. Maybe I'll stumble onto some materials that would make a good project.

**Kalok Sundancer** · 13th November 13, 03:11 PM

Originally Posted by ronin6290

Guys.. thank you for the encouragement and feedback. I had been thinking the same about wearing the pin higher. Makes sense and I also like the look. Ah! Wood thinly cross sectioned. I really like that notion. Wood is mostly what I've enjoyed working with in the past. I like mixed materials that show contrast. Many things to explore. Again, thanks this was a first for me. First kilt related item I've ever made. So thanks much on the feedback. In regard to making the magnet work the trick is to find one just powerful enough so the pin is secure but so that it does not seek out other metals to stick to. Rare earth magnets are very light, small and powerful and come in many sizes. Cheers for your morning. A bit of fresh air today here. Maybe I'll stumble onto some materials that would make a good project.

Aren't you concerned that the pin hitting something ad the right angle or what-not is going to cause the magnets to "disconnect" and lose your pin? The reason that I am asking is that I have a Masonic challenge coin that I would like to turn into a kilt pin and someone suggested using magnets rather than epoxying on some tack pins.

**ronin6290** · 13th November 13, 03:27 PM

Honestly Kalok I've not had a problem with that. I mostly wear a large coin as a kilt pin using the same kind of magnet. I've never come close to losing it yet. It could happen, however the same would apply to many pins with a traditional closure if they caught on something as you suggested. If you try it I would recommend doing so around the house until you saw if it were going to work out okay for you. That way if it did come loss you likely would not lose it. The magnets are very strong.

**Aussie_Don** · 13th November 13, 04:29 PM

Originally Posted by ronin6290

Honestly Kalok I've not had a problem with that. I mostly wear a large coin as a kilt pin using the same kind of magnet. I've never come close to losing it yet. It could happen, however the same would apply to many pins with a traditional closure if they caught on something as you suggested. If you try it I would recommend doing so around the house until you saw if it were going to work out okay for you. That way if it did come loss you likely would not lose it. The magnets are very strong.

My previous employer provided all staff with magnetic nametags -- I can vouch for the strength of the magnets.
You'd want to be sure that your fingers were clear of the interface when bringing them together. Even with the
"keeper" on the back, it is sticking to my steel filing cabinet and holding bits of paper up.

-Don

**Kalok Sundancer** · 13th November 13, 04:31 PM

Originally Posted by Aussie_Don

My previous employer provided all staff with magnetic nametags -- I can vouch for the strength of the magnets.
You'd want to be sure that your fingers were clear of the interface when bringing them together. Even with the
"keeper" on the back, it is sticking to my steel filing cabinet and holding bits of paper up.

-Don

That's good to know. I guess a trip to Harbor Freight is in order. They sell little circular ones.

**ronin6290** · 13th November 13, 05:29 PM

The temptation is to get a pair too large and strong. The thick fabric helps. That tends to be more of a problem in that you and your kilt can stick to metal objects

Has only happened to me once, but if it's too large and powerful it's a problem. Balance is key, in most things. Luck!