Tie Bar with Interchangeable Faces

I took a job two years ago that required me to go from occasional tie wearing to daily tie wearing. In order to keep my tie from flopping into food and generally making a nuisance of itself I picked up a tie bar. For those of you who don't know a tie bar is clip that holds your tie to your shirt. I picked mine up at a 50% off sale at a department store, but generally they run around $20 (U.S.) and as a rule are pretty inoffensive and bland. I bought a couple of vintage tie clips at a used clothing store for $5 a shot that were more interesting (and economical) but none of them really allowed me to express myself. So I decided I would modify a tie bar in such a way that I could change it at will to express myself. My solution was to incorporate magnets with the tie bar to allow me to attach whatever I feel best represents me on a particular morning. The best part is this project's possibilities are nearly limitless, cost very little, and reuse items. Here's how I made it.

(WARNING: If you have to wear an electronic identification badge on a lanyard around your neck this project isn't for you. Your badge will hang perilously close to a magnet and your human resources folks won't be amused if you destroy your badge. If you want to do this project make sure you get a belt clip for your badge.)

Also be aware that you can jostle the faces loose from the tie bar so you'll want to remove the face before you put on a jacket or keep a spare face in your pocket if you lose one.

Step 1 Tools and Materials

Your choice of materials with this project are nearly limitless. You're only bound by your imagination, sense of taste, physics, and your employer's policies on what is considered acceptable. This last one is important, for while we all like to express ourselves, getting fired in the process isn't the best idea. So read up on your organization's dress code before you wear your handcrafted masterpiece into work.

You'll need the following materials:

• Tie bar
• Magnet (small and strong)
• Ferrous scrap metal
• Decorative piece of some sort. Some examples I used are:
  • Coins
  • Rocks
  • Lapel pins
  • Broaches/Big Pins
  • Pin on buttons
  • Cuff links
• E-6000 (or your favorite adhesive)
• Clear spray paint (optional)

Tools I used for this project are:

• Dremel (with various cutting and grinding attachments)
• Dremel Flex Shaft Stand (Optional but very handy)
• Hacksaw
• Files
• Sandpaper
• Pliers
• Diagonal cutters
• Utility knife
• Marker
• Ruler
• Padded clamps (small)
• Dust Collection System (Optional but highly recommended)
• Bench vise
• Bench Vise Work Piece Protectors (Optional but highly recommended)

Comments

[ChrysN]

Great idea! I like the ship I bet that looks really sharp on a tie.

[sunshiine]

This is beautiful! I'll bet the guys really love this. I love unique lapels. No one I know wears them but I would use this type of thing in my crafts! Thanks so much for sharing your hard work! I subscribed so I can see more of your work. I am also voting! Remember to have a splendorous day!
Sunshiine

[RadBear]

Thanks for the kind words. More pics on the way of other faces I've made.

[sunshiine]

Kewl I will be checking them out!
Sunshiine

[sunshiine]

Guess I can't vote until after it is reviewed! I will check back and vote next week. Have a great weekend!
sunshiine