by Ron Fikes at srfikes@earthlink.net
02/10/2002

If you need a "cool" looking frequency pin, to use on the club board or your antenna - here's how to make your own.

Materials; white/colored cover stock or photo paper, mat board from art supply store (scraps may be free), 3M #77 spray adhesive, wood glue, Krylon clear acrylic spray and wooden clothespins.

I use an iMac computer and the Appleworks "draw" program. Do your design on the computer (let your imagination go wild), print on the paper stock, trim to size (1" x 3 1/2"). Cut matboard a little larger, spray matboard and back of cover stock with #77 adhesive. Let dry a minute or two and press well together. Cut the card to size (3/4" x 3 1/4") with #11 blade. Take clothespin apart and glue the card to one-half of the pin. When the glue is dry, tape the assembly to a scrap piece of balsa, spray the card, all over, with 6/8 coats Krylon clear acrylic spray (use gloss or satin). When the paint dries, reassemble the clothespin. These are just paper so don't leave them out in the rainy weather and the colors will fade over time. I have made some just the size of the back of the pin - that makes them less prone to damage. They won't be stolen because they have your name on them!

You can use this technique to make badges for your hats and lapels by gluing a safety pin to the back instead of the clothespins.

Enjoy, and remember, life can get too serious - have some fun!

Ron Fikes
Palo Alto, CA