What is a push pin made of?

9th March 2020

	What is a push pin made of?


	Shop for Push Pins


			The parts of a push pin are made of either wood, brass, steel or plastic.

			Handle of a push pin
			The handle of a push pin is usually made from a hardwood such as rosewood or beechwood.

			Some push pins have a plastic handle.

			Hardwood vs. plastic handles
			Advantages of hardwood handles Hardwood handles are pleasing to the eye and touch. Hardwood handles are hard-wearing and durable.

			Disadvantages of hardwood handles The wooden handle of a push pin requires maintenance, which is time-consuming. (See: Push pin maintenance and care).

			Advantages of plastic handles The plastic handle of a push pin is inexpensive to produce and needs minimal maintenance. It is ergonomically designed to be comfortable for the user.

			Disadvantages of plastic handles Some people dislike the look and feel of plastic tools. Push pins with plastic handles are not as hard-wearing and durable as wooden-handled push pins.

			Barrel of a push pin
			The barrels of some push pins are made of brass. These push pins are usually the vintage models however as most modern push pins are made with steel parts.

			Both magnetised and non-magnetised push pins can have a barrel made of steel.

			Internal spring of a push pin
			The internal spring of a push pin is made of stainless steel to make a strong but flexible spring.

			Plunger of a push pin
			The plunger of a push pin is made of the same material as the other metal parts, so, for instance, it can be made of brass.

			The spring-loaded plunger can be made of steel, to match the steel barrel of a push pin. The tip of the steel plunger can be magnetised.

			Brass vs. steel
			Brass is used with push pins for its aesthetic qualities, and because it will last for a long time. It is also relatively cheap to produce and it doesn’t rust. Brass is non-magnetic so a brass push pin will have an internal magnet to hold the pin.

			Steel is used because it is a hard-wearing material that will last for many years. Steel can be magnetised.

			Magnetised plunger A magnetised push pin is designed to hold the pins in place until pressure is exerted on the plunger to release the pin.

			The magnetised plunger looks the same as a non-magnetised plunger, so check before you buy.

			Ferrule of a push pin The ferrule of a vintage push pin is made of the same material as the barrel, so, for example it will be made of brass when the barrel is brass.

			The ferrule can be made of steel to match the steel barrel of a push pin.