Bronze21 has given us a great idea to use the neodymium-iron-boron rare earth magnets to attach the badge without putting holes in a $500 jacket. I have two different badges to work with so I did them both.
The one on the right is cold cast bronze resign, the left is actual metal bronze. I used JB Weld to attached the magnets to the back of the badge. Thank God it's the back, it is a bit sloppier than I had planned. Once dry they are quite permenent.
As you can see these are no more than 1/4 inch diameter but they are strong little suckers. Because I have 40 of them I decided it wouldn't hurt to use 4 on each badge. The difficult part was as I put on the 3rd and 4th magnets it pulled the first out of place, due to the slow cure time of the JB Weld.
"You and me, man...we're the same." (Falling Down)
The magnets I have are about 1/2" wide and actually spark when they collide with each other...unfortunately they often break in the process. They are also strong enough to stick to each other through the palm of my hand, so they will definitely do the trick on a jacket.
A 5-minute epoxy we use here at work is called Devcon Plastic Welder #14320. You can order it through McMaster Carr for about $10.ooUS. It's strong enough to mount bumpers and steel to fiberglass on the concept cars we build...so it'll work on a badge.
As you all know, my mind doesn't work quite right, and so we go off on these wild tangents.
Any idea if the strong rare earth magnets will affect blood flow or heart operation? Especially so near that vital organ? Lotta copper in blood, and I've heard of blood blisters being formed from strong magnets.
SCAR: Yep...just yesterday. I'll get it to you ASAP. "You spin me round round baby, right around, like a ragged baby round...lol.
MITCH: Him sad...brain broken...Me explain...Send in the e-mail to them an we'll all find out...who knows. Maybe even Braniacs in their letters section. Drive on.
I'll have to find a new source for them...I got them but I don't remember where. It was several years ago now in another state.
PS: Just got off-line and all I did was type in Google "rare earth magnets" and a whole list of sites came up...so it looks like take your pick.
I'd use 1/2" or 3/4" discs to get the most surface area...maybe two per badge and a 1/2" one on the marksmanship badge. The number plate you could go the 1/4" route.
