Disney pin locks

[halfmonkey]

My ds10 and ds9 recently got into collecting pins. I don't collect pins myself but this past weekend that we went, they bought some pretty expensive limited edition pins. We ended up speaking to a veteran pin collector and mentioned that we should switch out the pin back (I have no idea what you call them but I'm referring to the black Mickey that you use to "secure" the pin to your item of choice.) In any case, after he mentioned this to us, I noticed in some shops they were selling these little tube like looking things that basically go on the back of the pins to lock them in place using an allen wrench that is supplied. It was $10 for 10 locks. Kind of expensive if you ask me.

So I'm wondering if you can give me your suggestions on which ones are the best locks to buy. It seems that I've found three types in just doing a search. So one are these little tubes that they sell at DLR and online that require the allen wrench to lock in place. Second are these little pins that basically look like top hats that you simply push in place that apparently they're spring loaded and lock and I guess you push again to unlock them. Third will be these other ones that I can best describe that kind of look like a cowboy hat where it's raised in the center and you pinch these 2 wing like looking things and then push them into place. To remove, you pick the two wings and pull off.

I'd like to hear what works for you. Please tell me the good, bad, and the ugly because these guys spent some serious money and they're awesome pins but we were doing "pin checks" through out our trip because we didn't want them to lose their pins.

 

[Geemo]

My ds10 and ds9 recently got into collecting pins. I don't collect pins myself but this past weekend that we went, they bought some pretty expensive limited edition pins. We ended up speaking to a veteran pin collector and mentioned that we should switch out the pin back (I have no idea what you call them but I'm referring to the black Mickey that you use to "secure" the pin to your item of choice.) In any case, after he mentioned this to us, I noticed in some shops they were selling these little tube like looking things that basically go on the back of the pins to lock them in place using an allen wrench that is supplied. It was $10 for 10 locks. Kind of expensive if you ask me.

So I'm wondering if you can give me your suggestions on which ones are the best locks to buy. It seems that I've found three types in just doing a search. So one are these little tubes that they sell at DLR and online that require the allen wrench to lock in place. Second are these little pins that basically look like top hats that you simply push in place that apparently they're spring loaded and lock and I guess you push again to unlock them. Third will be these other ones that I can best describe that kind of look like a cowboy hat where it's raised in the center and you pinch these 2 wing like looking things and then push them into place. To remove, you pick the two wings and pull off.

I'd like to hear what works for you. Please tell me the good, bad, and the ugly because these guys spent some serious money and they're awesome pins but we were doing "pin checks" through out our trip because we didn't want them to lose their pins.

Try eBay.
https://www.ebay.com/p/Pinlocks-Fin...llectibles-25lots/1761371263?iid=302473455349

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_fr...in+locks.TRS0&_nkw=trading+pin+locks&_sacat=0

 

[figment_jii]

I've used the ones the require an allen wrench and the ones that look like a cowboy hat. For the most part, I felt like the ones that require an allen wrench were more secure, but the post that sticks out can really hurt if it gets pressed into you (e.g., via a ride restraint, leaning on a counter, etc.).

 

[halfmonkey]

I've used the ones the require an allen wrench and the ones that look like a cowboy hat. For the most part, I felt like the ones that require an allen wrench were more secure, but the post that sticks out can really hurt if it gets pressed into you (e.g., via a ride restraint, leaning on a counter, etc.).

I've read about the pin locks being too short and poking you. The ones I saw at DLR were long so it looks like they've addressed this problem. The ones I found online also mentioned this problem and they were selling the "updated" version that was 7mm vs the previous short version.

When I did the searches and read the reviews, there were quite a lot of mentions regarding the version that looks like a top hat and how the spring mechanism failed and in some instances, people had to break the pin stem(not sure what you would call it) to remove the pin lock. I do not want to have to break any pin stem because some of the kids' pins are limited edition and there would be no way to reacquire them without paying super high prices on eBay. I think this will narrow it down to the pin locks shaped like a tube or the ones that look like a cowboy hat with wings.

 

[starry_solo]

you want the ones that are clasp like

or these, that don't require the little allen wrench:

 

[figment_jii]

I've read about the pin locks being too short and poking you. The ones I saw at DLR were long so it looks like they've addressed this problem. The ones I found online also mentioned this problem and they were selling the "updated" version that was 7mm vs the previous short version.

If anything, I would think that the longer they are, the more likely they are to poke the wearer. The ones at Disney (I have these) are long enough to completely cover the pin stem (so the pointy tip is covered), but the cylinder itself can hurt when jabbed into the wearer. I had that problem when I used the locking backs to secure pins to a lanyard. The cylinder left small circular bruises when the lanyard was pushed against my chest (usually by a ride restraint). On the upside, I haven't lost any pins using these types of locking backs.

I think the pin backs that starry_solo is showing would eliminate/reduce the likelihood of injury. I've used the top ones and had pretty good luck with them. I have had a few come lose, but I think that's because all it takes is a little pressure on one side to release the grip. I also feel like they do wear out faster, so if you're taking the pins on and off, I would also use new backs on a fairly regular basis. These used to be pretty standard with pins, until they went to the Mickey head rubber backs.

 

[agamble]

I bought some on Amazon. Like 30 or 40 for $10. They are a or more secure than the black Mickey's. Mine are the spring kind. Sometimes they are a little difficult to take off, but I always manage to get them off.

Also, just a tip the majority of pins on CM lanyards are inexpensive ones. I would strongly suggest not letting your boys trade their $10 pins for ones that likely cost only $1. I have pins I trade and ones that are souvenirs and not for trade.

 

[kyrkea333]

I use the ones that starry solo shows in the first photo, Butterfly Clutch Pin Backs according to Amazon. While I feel they might not be quite as secure as the locking pin backs, they're miles ahead of the mickey backs and I haven't had any trouble with them. I won't wear my pins and enjoy them as much with the long locking pin backs -- I find them way too uncomfortable. I've noticed a bit of a habit I've developed that whenever I get off a ride or am standing in a line, I'll run up and down my lanyard and just re-secure the pinbacks. I haven't lost any pins with using them.

 

[halfmonkey]

Also, just a tip the majority of pins on CM lanyards are inexpensive ones. I would strongly suggest not letting your boys trade their $10 pins for ones that likely cost only $1. I have pins I trade and ones that are souvenirs and not for trade.

I'm not a pin collector but while accompanying them in the pin shops and wherever they ask to go, we've spoken to some CM and they have mentioned that and also have said that they have witnessed pin collectors trying to trick little kids into trading their "non-valuable" pins for one of their "valuable" pins. Seriously not cool for an adult or anybody to be tricking a little kid like that so I've told my boys no trading unless they talk to me first.

 

[halfmonkey]

you want the ones that are clasp like

or these, that don't require the little allen wrench:

So the first picture are the ones that I think I'm going to use for the majority of their pins. I don't know their official name for these type of pins but they look like cowboy hats with wings so that's what I'm going with. I'll probably buy the locking tube style pins that require the separate wrench to remove the lock for the expensive pins and then the cowboy hats for their other pins.

 

[Winnowill]

I like these: https://www.amazon.com/SUBANG-Piece...ons&keywords=subang+40+pieces+pin+backs&psc=1
They come in a box of 40 for $9. One or two of them were broken when they arrived, but that wasn't a big deal. We used to lose pin backs all the time (never lost an actual pin, fortunately), but we haven't lost any of these. And they're not at all poke-y.