Fix Broken Pin Badges

The other day I found a badge that didn't have a pin for me to pin it on my shirt with, so, getting creative, I thought I'd make one!

There are many other alternatives around, as you may have seen, but done right, this looks much more professional, is cheaper, and can be done without much at hand.

Step 1: Materials required

Because this is so amazingly simple, there aren't many tools required.

A paper clip.

Pliers.

Side cutters, but not needed if your pliers have the cutting bit on them.

A pinless badge.

Sandpaper, or a bench grinder.

Comments

[Jayefuu]

Suggestion for your next ible: Get some beer bottle caps, bend the crimpy bits over, squish them until from above it appears round, insert one of your clever clasps. Easy, cool beer cap pin badge :) I managed the bending of the cap quite easily but didn't have a paper clip big enough to use. Over to you :D

[Kryptonite]

Ahh! As soon as I read this I rushed to my rubbish bin (recyclables, so it's clean :P ) and discovered that all the beer bottle caps are bent! Noo!!!
Oh well, give me about 5 minutes, I'll have one then.

Thanks!

[Jayefuu]

Ha ha. You can lever one off without bending it using the handle of most cutlery

[Kryptonite]

I never thought of that... expect in 1-2 weeks, lot on at the moment so even a small thing like that will take time.

[Jayefuu]

This is a really smart solution! Me likey. Want some advice?

[Kryptonite]

Yes please! I need a bit, to be honest.

...I also need more time to finish one of the 25 Instructables I'm working on... most of which are half done / documented.

[Jayefuu]

In my opinion I don't think your title does your instructable justice. Something like "Repairing a Pin Badge Pin" or "Fix Broken Pin Badges" might get more views. The rest is really well documented. :)

[Kryptonite]

Thanks! I'll do the latter.

[Goodhart]

Interesting :-) Well, that certainly makes it a lot easier to reuse the badge.

 

[Kryptonite]

Well, $2 a piece (1 English Pound, or $2.30 US), I didn't really feel like getting another one.

[Goodhart]

Even if one gets the infamous "Badge-a-minute"  (or whatever it was called) badges would cost that or more for quite awhile, I agree.

 

[Kryptonite]

Gotta admit though, they're pretty cool ;D

By the way, like the pictures? It was getting dark outside, and I did it by the light of a window. Although, beats my first Instructable, I have to re do that one...

[Goodhart]

Yes, you did I nice job photographing it,  did you use a tripod and set the timer for those requiring both you hands to hold something.

 

[Kryptonite]

 Ah, I wish. My camera doesn't have a timer and we lost the tripod, so a bribe of a cup of tea and mum opted to take photos. The ones with only one hand, or neither, were mine.

[Goodhart]

Well then, tell her she did a good job then (this may gain you assistance in the future too ;-)    unless she sees this post  LOL 

 

[Kryptonite]

Ha ha, she's not into Instructables unless it's a solar hot water heater.

I'll give her subtle hints about how every one loves close ups next time :D

[noahw]

I buy old buttons each year at a thrift store in southern Oregon that have great slogans on them, but really junky and rusty pin clips on the backs. 

I've always wanted to repair them, but never really thought about what a  permanent fix for them would look like - this is it! 

Thanks so much for this Instructable. 

[Kryptonite]

Glad you found this useful!