How To Fix A Badge Reel

A badge reel is a handy accessory that allows you to attach your ID card, key, or other item to your belt, pocket, or lanyard. It has a retractable cord that lets you pull out your badge and show it to someone without having to detach it from your clothing. This way, you can keep your badge secure and accessible at all times.

However, badge reels are not immune to wear and tear. Sometimes, they can break or malfunction due to various reasons, such as:

• The cord gets tangled, knotted, frayed, or snapped
• The spring loses its tension or gets damaged
• The retraction mechanism gets stuck or stops working
• The badge holder gets detached from the cord or the reel

These problems can be annoying and frustrating, especially if you rely on your badge reel for your work or security. You might be tempted to throw away your badge reel and buy a new one, but that can be costly and wasteful. Besides, you might have a sentimental attachment to your badge reel, especially if it has a personalized design or a logo.

Fortunately, there is a way to fix your badge reel yourself without spending too much money or time. In this article, we will show you how to fix a badge reel in a few easy steps with some simple tools and tips. You don’t need to be an expert or have any special skills to do this. All you need is some patience and creativity.

By following this guide, you will be able to:

• Save money by repairing your badge reel instead of buying a new one
• Extend the lifespan of your badge reel and prevent future problems
• Customize your badge reel and make it more unique and personal

So, are you ready to fix your badge reel? Let’s get started!

Step 1: Open the Badge Reel

The first step is to open the badge reel and see what’s inside. To do this, you will need:

• A small screwdriver (preferably a Phillips head)
• A pair of tweezers or pliers
• A soft cloth or a paper towel

Here are the steps to open the badge reel:

1. Locate the screws that hold the two halves of the badge reel together. They are usually on the back side of the reel, near the clip or the pin.
2. Use the screwdriver to remove the screws and keep them in a safe place. You will need them later to reassemble the badge reel.
3. Gently pry the two halves of the badge reel apart with your fingers or the tweezers. Be careful not to damage the plastic casing or the internal components.
4. Place the two halves of the badge reel on the cloth or the paper towel with the inside facing up.

You should now see something like this:

The main parts of the badge reel are:

• The cord: This is the thin string that connects the badge holder to the reel. It can be made of nylon, polyester, or metal.
• The spring: This is the coiled metal wire that provides tension and retraction for the cord.
• The retraction mechanism: This is the plastic or metal piece that controls the movement of the cord and the spring. It can have different shapes and sizes depending on the model of the badge reel.

Step 2: Inspect and Fix the Cord

The next step is to inspect and fix the cord of the badge reel. The cord is one of the most common parts that can cause problems with your badge reel. Some of the signs that indicate that your cord needs fixing are:

• The cord is too long or too short
• The cord does not retract properly or at all
• The cord is tangled, knotted, frayed, or snapped
• The cord is detached from the badge holder or the reel

To fix these problems, you will need:

• A pair of scissors
• A lighter or a match
• A needle and a thread (optional)
• A glue gun or a super glue (optional)

Here are some possible solutions for different cord problems:

Problem: The cord is too long or too short

Solution: Adjust the length of the cord by winding or unwinding it around the spring.

Steps:

1. Hold the spring with one hand and pull out some of the cord with the other hand.
2. Wind or unwind the cord around the spring until you reach your desired length.
3. Cut off any excess cord with scissors.
4. Use a lighter or a match to melt and seal the end of the cord to prevent fraying.

Problem: The cord does not retract properly or at all

Solution: Lubricate or replace the spring.

Steps:

1. Remove any dirt or debris from the spring with a cloth or a paper towel.
2. Apply some lubricant (such as WD-40 or silicone spray) to the spring and the retraction mechanism.
3. Test the retraction of the cord by pulling and releasing it several times.
4. If the cord still does not retract properly, you may need to replace the spring with a new one. You can buy a replacement spring online or from a hardware store, or you can use a spring from another badge reel or a pen.

Problem: The cord is tangled, knotted, frayed, or snapped

Solution: Untangle, loosen, or replace the cord.

Steps:

1. If the cord is tangled or knotted, try to untangle or loosen it with your fingers or the tweezers. Be gentle and patient to avoid breaking the cord.
2. If the cord is frayed or snapped, you may need to replace it with a new one. You can buy a replacement cord online or from a craft store, or you can use a cord from another badge reel or a necklace.
3. To replace the cord, you will need to detach it from the badge holder and the reel. You can do this by cutting off the old cord with scissors or by untying or unscrewing it from the badge holder and the retraction mechanism.
4. To attach the new cord, you will need to tie or sew it to the badge holder and the retraction mechanism. You can use a needle and a thread or a glue gun or a super glue to secure the cord.

Step 3: Inspect and Fix the Spring

The third step is to inspect and fix the spring of the badge reel. The spring is another common part that can cause problems with your badge reel. Some of the signs that indicate that your spring needs fixing are:

• The spring is loose or broken
• The spring does not provide enough tension or retraction for the cord
• The spring makes a loud noise when retracting

To fix these problems, you will need:

• A pair of pliers
• A lubricant (such as WD-40 or silicone spray)

Here are some possible solutions for different spring problems:

Problem: The spring is loose or broken

Solution: Adjust or replace the spring.

Steps:

1. Use the pliers to bend or twist the ends of the spring to make them tighter or looser.
2. Test the tension and retraction of the cord by pulling and releasing it several times.
3. If the spring is still loose or broken, you may need to replace it with a new one. You can buy a replacement spring online or from a hardware store, or you can use a spring from another badge reel or a pen.

Problem: The spring does not provide enough tension or retraction for the cord

Solution: Lubricate or replace the spring.

Steps:

1. Apply some lubricant (such as WD-40 or silicone spray) to the spring and the retraction mechanism.
2. Test the tension and retraction of the cord by pulling and releasing it several times.
3. If the spring still does not provide enough tension or retraction, you may need to replace it with a new one. You can buy a replacement spring online or from a hardware store, or you can use a spring from another badge reel or a pen.

Problem: The spring makes a loud noise when retracting

Solution: Lubricate or replace the spring.

Steps:

1. Apply some lubricant (such as WD-40 or silicone spray) to the spring and the retraction mechanism.
2. Test the noise level of the cord by pulling and releasing it several times.
3. If the spring still makes a loud noise, you may need to replace it with a new one. You can buy a replacement spring online or from a hardware store, or you can use a spring from another badge reel or a pen.

Step 4: Inspect and Fix the Retraction Mechanism

The fourth step is to inspect and fix the retraction mechanism of the badge reel. The retraction mechanism is the part that controls the movement of the cord and the spring. It can have different shapes and sizes depending on the model of your badge reel. Some of them are:

• A wheel: This is a round plastic or metal piece that rotates when you pull out or retract your cord.
• A ratchet: This is a rectangular plastic or metal piece that clicks when you pull out your cord and locks when you release it.
• A slider: This is a flat plastic or metal piece that slides up and down when you pull out your cord and locks when you release it.

The retraction mechanism is one of the most complex parts of your badge reel, and it can also cause problems with your badge reel. Some of the signs that indicate that your retraction mechanism needs fixing are:

• The retraction mechanism does not rotate, click, slide, lock, unlock properly
• The retraction mechanism gets stuck, jammed, loose, broken
• The retraction mechanism causes friction, resistance, noise when moving

To fix these problems, you will need:

• A pair of tweezers or pliers
• A lubricant (such as WD-40 or silicone spray)
• A glue gun or a super glue (optional)

Here are some possible solutions for different retraction mechanism problems:

Problem: The retraction mechanism does not rotate, click, slide, lock, unlock properly

Solution: Clean, lubricate, or replace the retraction mechanism.

Steps:

1. Remove any dirt, debris, or rust from the retraction mechanism with a cloth or a paper towel.
2. Apply some lubricant (such as WD-40 or silicone spray) to the retraction mechanism and the spring.
3. Test the movement and function of the retraction mechanism by pulling and releasing the cord several times.
4. If the retraction mechanism still does not work properly, you may need to replace it with a new one. You can buy a replacement retraction mechanism online or from a hardware store, or you can use a retraction mechanism from another badge reel or a similar device.

Problem: The retraction mechanism gets stuck, jammed, loose, broken

Solution: Repair or replace the retraction mechanism.

Steps:

1. Use the tweezers or pliers to gently unstick, unjam, tighten, or fix the retraction mechanism.
2. If the retraction mechanism is broken or damaged beyond repair, you may need to replace it with a new one. You can buy a replacement retraction mechanism online or from a hardware store, or you can use a retraction mechanism from another badge reel or a similar device.
3. If the retraction mechanism is loose or detached from the reel, you may need to glue it back into place. You can use a glue gun or a super glue to secure the retraction mechanism to the reel.

Problem: The retraction mechanism causes friction, resistance, noise when moving

Solution: Lubricate or replace the retraction mechanism.

Steps:

1. Apply some lubricant (such as WD-40 or silicone spray) to the retraction mechanism and the spring.
2. Test the movement and noise level of the retraction mechanism by pulling and releasing the cord several times.
3. If the retraction mechanism still causes friction, resistance, noise when moving, you may need to replace it with a new one. You can buy a replacement retraction mechanism online or from a hardware store, or you can use a retraction mechanism from another badge reel or a similar device.

Step 5: Reassemble the Badge Reel

The final step is to reassemble the badge reel and test its function. To do this, you will need:

• The screws that you removed in step 1
• A small screwdriver (preferably a Phillips head)

Here are the steps to reassemble the badge reel:

1. Put the retraction mechanism, spring, and cord back into place in one half of the badge reel.
2. Align the other half of the badge reel with the first half and press them together gently.
3. Use the screwdriver to put back the screws that hold the two halves of the badge reel together.
4. Test the function of your badge reel by pulling and releasing your cord several times.

You should now have a fully functional badge reel that looks something like this:

Congratulations! You have successfully fixed your badge reel!

Conclusion

In this article, we have shown you how to fix a badge reel in a few easy steps with some simple tools and tips. By following this guide, you have been able to:

• Save money by repairing your badge reel instead of buying a new one
• Extend the lifespan of your badge reel and prevent future problems
• Customize your badge reel and make it more unique and personal

We hope you have enjoyed this tutorial and learned something new and useful. If you have any feedback, questions, or experiences with fixing badge reels, please feel free to share them in the comments section below.

Thank you for reading and happy fixing!