Homemade Heavy Kilt Pin ready for a Gale

**unixken** · 24th September 13, 01:15 PM

Here's an example of my approach. These are some new pins I recently found online, for my new "Leaf Peeper" tartan. I too, expect some breeziness when I wear this kilt in the mountains of New Hampshire in a few weeks, and thus decided multiple pins of normal weight would add some resistance to "fly plaid!"

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**TheOfficialBren** · 24th September 13, 02:15 PM

Bloody gorgeous kilt and pins, Ken! Well done!

**ronin6290** · 24th September 13, 05:19 PM

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

**ronin6290** · 24th September 13, 05:50 PM

I do own 4 kilt pins and have worn 2 at times together. I always wear one as I'm often outside and in the hills here it can be quite windy. Two have traditional pin closures which I have kind of shied away from as they did do a bit of damage by catching on objects then pulling at the fabric. I own one other heavier pin which is a heavy coin. I've been wearing it for some months now and have not had any damage. I use tiny thin magnets, about the size of a dime. They are strong enough to hold well but I've never had my apron stick to any other metal like I've heard others say. If it catches on something it simply releases, thus no damage to the kilt. I do like kilt pins because there is room for creativity and self expression aside from being a very functional piece as-well. I really like my stag horn pin also but it does tend to be rough on my kilts so I wear it only on occasion now. This particular one is a tad bit heavier than my coin which was my intention. We shall see how it works. I designed it for casual wear while walking trail here etc,.

**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.

**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.