Kilt pin fastener idea

[Splash_4]

Ok, so this has been banging around my head for a couple of days. Especially since I pulled a kilt pin out of my apron whilst getting out of the truck. Has anyone thought of using a magnetic system to attach the kilt pin to the apron?

I was thinking of using something like this,



This is something similar to what I have on a name badge I have to use for work when I attend large gatherings. It is very strong and I have never lost a badge off of a jacket. The metal plate is epoxied on to the back of the badge and the three magnets are very strong. The overall size is about 1 1/2 inches long by 3/8 wide.

I have ordered a couple of these to attempt to convert an old bolo tie to a kilt pin. I will post pictures when done.

Mike

[JimB]

I think if the magnet is strong enough it would be a good idea. Better than ripping a kilt!

Converting a bolo tie to a kilt pin.....hmmm....I'm going to have to check in to this!
I've got a bolo that means a lot to me because of where it came from, but bolos aren't my style.

[ccga3359]

May I sugest rare-earth magnets. A 1/4" magnet as a 2 1/2 lb force. That kilt pin wouldn't be going anywhere. The only concerns would be removing te kilt pin - you would need a decent grip to seperate backing from pin.
My scorce for r-e magnets is Lee Valley, I have a store five minutes from home. For info go to http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.a...=1,42363,42348

[Improv1]

Rare earth are great magnets, and relatively inexpensive to purchase. We use them all the time to fasten accelerometers onto bearings to measure vibration. If the pin were large enough to grip, you could fasten the magnets onto a canvas strip to go inside the kilt. That would allow you to peel the magnet off the back.

[Splash_4]

Agreed, the magnents on this particular closure are rare earth and are already mounted on a steel backing plate. It also comes with another steel plate to be epoxied on the back of a future kilt pin.

[cavscout]

I've considered the idea.

I have an old Name badge magnet strip, pretty much exactly what you have there except with two magnets. I believe the idea is good, I've just not found an item I want to try it on yet.

[Belegnole]

very interesting....the only problem I could see is the chance of sliding or being pulled off when a "pin" catches on something. We use some magnets in the jewelry business but only on inexpensive articles so far. The mechanical fasteners have been considered "better" so far.

Keep us posted on any results you guys get. Some of the newer magnets are wicked strong.

[Riverkilt]

I'm wondering about the effects of the magnets' weight. Obviously depends on the weight of the kilt cloth, but can see it might effect how the apron hangs when standing. I know when sitting my heavier kilt pins tend to flop the outer apron corner back into my lap. A small problem to readjust.

Options are needed. A few months ago was riding in a car as a passenger and went to rest my hand on my knee. Fortunately, I noticed my kilt pin had come loose, was askew with the pin raised up. If I'd not looked would have run the pin through my palm for sure. I'm now using that rubber band method to keep the pin in place if it should somehow come unlatched.

Do keep us posted. New ideas are one of the joys of this board.

Ron

[Blu (Ontario)]

While rare earth magnets are impressive, the attractive force will weaken (inverse square law?) a bit depending on the thickness of the cloth. I',m thinking in terms of 3 or 4 layers of 16oz wool that one might encounter near the outer edge of the apron. If the pin caught on something, you lose the pin and the magnets. Some testing would be prudent.

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