Can You Fix a Lapel Pin with a Broken Post?

“Can you fix a lapel pin with a broken post?” is a very good question, but may not have the most satisfying answer.  There are four ways posts are attached to the back of a metal pin, but it depends on the style and material of the pin as to which method is used.

How to fix a diecast lapel pin.

Diecast pins are made of zinc alloy, with the post being attached in two different ways.  The first method is by insetting the post into the mold so the liquid metal can form around the head of the post essentially making the post part of the pin.  This is a very secure method, but only available during production, and would not be an option to fix a lapel pin with a broken post.  The second method of gluing the post on the back of the pin can be used in production and as a method to fix a broken lapel pin.

How to fix a diestruck lapel pin.

Diestruck pins are typically made of brass, copper or iron, with the post being attached in two different ways.  The first method is by soldering the post to the back of the pin prior to color filling or plating of the pin.  The second method is by gluing the post on the back of the pin.  Like diecast pins, the first method can only be done during production.  If you tried to solder the pin after color fill and plating the heat of the solder will damage the pin plating and color fill.  The second method of gluing the post on the back of the pin can be used in production and as a method to fix a broken lapel pin.

How to fix a photodome lapel pin.

Photodome pins are often made of stainless steel.  This is typically a thinner material opening up another way to attach the post on the back of the pin.  Again, there are two different ways to attach the post.  The first method is by spot welding the post to the back of the pin prior to plating and printing on the pin.  The second method is by gluing the post on the back of the pin.  Like the other styles of pins discussed above, the first method can only be done during production otherwise the spot welding would cause damage to the printed part of the lapel pin.  The second method of gluing the post on the back of the pin can be used in production and as a method to fix a broken lapel pin.

Conclusion

It is beneficial to understand the differences of how posts are attached to a lapel pin to give a person insight as to how they are made and why they may be fixed or may not be fixed.  A consistent method among all the different pin types is gluing the post on the back.  While this is a consistent approach to attaching the post on the back of a lapel pin it is not the most durable method.  The other observation you can make is that of the other 3 methods of attaching the post, none of them would be an option for fixing a lapel pin with a broken post as each method would damage the pin itself.

So, the answer is yes you can fix a lapel pin with a broken post, but the only way to do so is by gluing the post onto the back.  It is recommended you find the strongest glue possible and also realize that it may or may not be a permanent fix.  Glue can deteriorate over time along with other factors that can cause glue to fail.  But with that understanding it is the only option so give it a try.