Homemade Heavy Kilt Pin ready for a Gale

**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.

**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.