How to make a safety pin from a paperclip

Q: What can I use if I dont have a safety pin?

Plus, if you dont have safety pins on hand, brooches or small fashion pins will do the trick as well.

If you pop a button or split a seam at your desk, you can quickly and easily fashion a safety pin out of a paper clip.

Table of Contents Show

Instructions
You Will Need
What can I use if I don't have a safety pin?
How do you make a safety pin at home?
What are 3 creative uses for a paperclip?

Instructions

Step 1: Straighten the clip Pull the smaller bend from inside the larger bend in the paper clip, straightening the bend closer to the small bend. Then unbend the shorter end, so that your paper clip looks like an umbrella handle.
Step 2: Make the clasp Lay the clip flat and use the pliers to make a 45-degree upward bend in the end of the curled side, 1/8 inch from the tip, to form the clasp for the needle.
TIP: You can make your bends using a ruler and scissors if you don't have pliers.
Step 3: Bend again Grasp the clip with the pliers just below the clasp bend and make a 90-degree upward bend perpendicular to the long part of the clip. Then squeeze the bend downward to meet the long end.
Step 4: Form the spring Grasp the long, straight part of the paper clip in the center with the pliers, and then wrap the wire twice around the tip of the pliers to make the spring.
Step 5: Tuck the needle into the clasp Tuck the long, straight end of the paper clip -- the needle -- under the clasp. Make sure you leave enough tension on the spring that the needle presses into the clasp. Now mend that opening and walk around the office confidently.
FACT: Spectacular Bid, the favorite to win the Triple Crown in 1979, likely lost the Belmont because he stepped on a safety pin.

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You Will Need

Paper clip
Needle-nose pliers
Ruler (optional)
Scissors (optional)

There’s never a safety pin around when you need one, but in most offices, there are plenty of paper clips. Turn that paper clip into a safety pin with a pair of pliers and some ingenuity. DIYer ISR RAVIV demonstrates how in the video above. The end result isn’t the perfect safety pin, as paper clips are thicker (and probably less comfortable if worn for prolonged periods of time), but if you need a backup in case of emergency, this hack should do the trick.

Make a Safety Pin from a Paper Clip [Metacafe]

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this is really awesome.to make it sharp just grind it. i dont know if u put that tip in there or not.

Top Dog

15 years ago on Introduction

ReplyUpvote

Yeah, it can. I made it and cliped my jeans. You just have to push a little hard. Apparantly doggy, is not strong enough.

bad_dog

15 years ago on Introduction

ReplyUpvote

gr8 idea but it cant peirce a pair of jeans

1 reply

hidethecakebad_dog

Reply 15 years ago on Introduction

ReplyUpvote

You can poke a hole in the jeans with a pen or pencil. Or a safety pin!

Doctor What

15 years ago on Introduction

ReplyUpvote

Great Idea!!! Too bad they don't allow needlenose pliers at school.

MrRedBeard

15 years ago on Introduction

ReplyUpvote

Sweet if my pants zipper ever breaks at the office I won't have to worry about not having a safety pin.

cubemonkey

15 years ago on Introduction

ReplyUpvote

That was super easy, and now I'm mad that I never thought of it before.

Chris Bilton

15 years ago on Introduction

ReplyUpvote

yea, this is a classic, anything that takes just two minutes has my vote.

!Andrew_Modder!

15 years ago on Introduction

ReplyUpvote

thats great! but not sharp tipped :-(. yeah i no you could file it down.. but cmon

6 replies

WurdBendur!Andrew_Modder!

Reply 15 years ago on Introduction

ReplyUpvote

I suggest cutting the end to make it sharp. It won't be a point, though, more like a wedge, (maybe you could cut it again the other way and make it pointy). Also, maybe you could sand it to a point, but by then you might as well just buy safety pins.

jongscxWurdBendur

Reply 15 years ago on Introduction

ReplyUpvote

if you cut it with a sharp pair of cutters, the tip can be just as razor sharp as a needle (personal experience)

WurdBendurjongscx

Reply 15 years ago on Introduction

ReplyUpvote

Of course it will. That's why I suggested it. I just note that it will be squashed flat, so it will have an edge rather than a point and may not poke through your clothes very easily.

jongscxWurdBendur

Reply 15 years ago on Introduction

ReplyUpvote

Oh, Do you mean cutting it at a right angle to the pin? like ===| |=== ?

Cut it at an angle... kind like ===/ /=== only a steeper angle... AND you're using a decent pair of angle cutters, pliers, anything where two wedges clamping together (don't use shears, it will come out wonky)... you will come out with Two sharp points (one on the piece you want to keep, the other on the waste piece)

WurdBendurjongscx

Reply 15 years ago on Introduction

ReplyUpvote

Oh, I see. Yes, I was thinking of cutting perpendicular to the pin, but I see that cutting at an angle would work better.

jongscxWurdBendur

Reply 15 years ago on Introduction

ReplyUpvote

yeah, I was working with a power cable with a 10ga stranded wire... I found a 2" gash on the side of my hand that kinda hurt... turns out, it was a paper-cut like gash, no blood, but it was pretty close. Yup, it's sharp.

pocketwatch

15 years ago on Introduction

ReplyUpvote

Thanks! I suggest not cutting the end to make it sharp. On thin fabric and fabric with a loose weave it should go through perfectly well, and a self sharpened paper clip seems minimally safe.

TraumaComet

15 years ago on Introduction

ReplyUpvote

fantastic! I made like, 8 thousand of these at the office today. (I really hope my boss doesn't read this)

What can I use if I don't have a safety pin?

Plus, if you don't have safety pins on hand, brooches or small fashion pins will do the trick as well.

How do you make a safety pin at home?

Make a Safety Pin From a Paperclip!.

29 Comments. Forgotten_Memories..

1 Person Made This Project!.

Step 2: This Is It! You Are Done! ... .

Step 1: Bending the Paperclip. first straighten the paperclip , then use the pliers to bend the paperclip to form the wanted shape - like in the picture. ... .