How to Fix a Broken Pin-Needle on Back of Panzer Assault Badge

[airborne_steve]

I hope I get some advice regarding how to fix or mend a broken needle on a MINT Panzer Assault Badge.


The situation is that I accidently broke off the pin/needle at the axel/base of the hinge and I want to keep the badge what can I do to restore this?
<O</O
Any help will be appreciated. Thank you and best regards, Steve

[o.r.k.]

I once had a broken off prong of a Krimshield. I found a juweler who had a laser solding specialist at hand. The technique is quite elaborate and should be done by an expert. He asked 100 euros and the result was stunning. The price almost reached the value but I was glad not having crippled a piece of the pieces I own.

[airborne_steve]

I once had a broken off prong of a Krimshield. I found a juweler who had a laser solding specialist at hand. The technique is quite elaborate and should be done by an expert. He asked 100 euros and the result was stunning. The price almost reached the value but I was glad not having crippled a piece of the pieces I own.

Thank you for this information...I didn't know that such a technique was available. Best regards, Steve

[schönbeck]

please show a picture.

[airborne_steve]

please show a picture.

Sorry it took so long to post these pictures, I have been away from home the last 2 weeks.

Below are pictured my broken PAB, It is a Mint Bronze badge which is worth fixing. Please let me know if there is some one on the forum who fixes such things.

Any help will be appreciated, Thank you and best regards, Steve

[airborne_steve]

Please help!

[jacquesf]

Naughty, you forced it to fit on a tunic.

[airborne_steve]

Naughty, you forced it to fit on a tunic.

Close, I was opening it so I could put it on a tunic and then suddenly, pow! the pin broke off!

Steve

[jacquesf]

Happened to me as well and you get that sick feeling in your stomach. J

[airborne_steve]

Happened to me as well and you get that sick feeling in your stomach. J

No kidding.... I feel like I could barf!

[tgn]

It is a very bad pin design. I have one right now with the pin broken in the same place. We could sue the manufacturer (just kidding) or learn how to solder. You could use one of those pen torches and a small snibbet of silver solder. Lay the solder on top on a bed of flux and heat it from the bottom to draw the solder down. Clamp (with alligator clips) the pin base as a heat sink so it doesn't pop off while doing this.

Good luck. Wish I had a pin for mine to try it.

Tom

[juoneen]

OR..leave it as it is, and keep them together . It's tricky to get the pin to refuse to the other piece if you are not experienced in how to keep the hinge from getting too hot ....these were done before the hinges were assembled then re soldered to the body of the badge. The thread should serve to caution others to be aware that this makers pins can fail in this way. I do not feel the pin failure will have much loss of value to the badge if ever sold if it still has it with it. I do know that sick feeling...like,you backed over your pet as you were leaving your driveway. Most of us have had a similar mishap of some kind....so let this be a caution to all collectors from here on...at least you were man enough to own up to it. Don't beat yourself up about it any longer...time to forgive yourself and hope the lesson will benefit others to be genteel with theirs of the same, and be satisfied to only play with their badges and pick a different makers version to pin on to a tunic...thanks for sharing the information no matter what you decide to do.

[schönbeck]

Do NOT solder it as it is.
The finish will be damaged.
This is a very easy fix.

[airborne_steve]

I want to thank you all for your help in this matter. I agree with the above statements, this is a good thread to warn people to leave their badges alone so as not to break the pins off. I really like this badge and I feel awful about what happend! I hope to find someone who specializes in this sort of repair and get this badge fixed. Until then, I will remain sad.....

Best regards, Steve

[BROBS]

Steve,
I believe it can be fixed with a tiny, tiny dot of epoxy like JB-weld.
I did this on a different badge (where the complete hinge-block fell off when I dropped it ).

I just mixed up some JB-weld.. used the end of a toothpick to put the most microscopic amount possible, then stuck on the hinge. It held and still holds perfectly.

in your case BE SURE to use the tiniest dot. then place the pin in the catch as you set the pin. before it dries at all remove any excess with a paper towel. you may have to hold the pin tightly against where it broke off until it sets a bit. Then leave it to dry overnight and you should be good. You may have to support it in position using folded paper towels and masking tape etc (be creative).

then just never take the pin out of the catch again!! and find a different badge for your tunic.

best of luck! I think you can fix it.
-Brian