Making Buttons

[ellie]

Hi Guys just wanted some advice on an easy way to make buttons, I work in mostly 75mm and would love some advice a good way to make buttons I have tryed diffireant ways over time but i'm ways disaponted with the end result. I was going to buy a punch and die set do you think this would be the best way forward. cheers

Ian

 

[Johan Kees]

Ian

I think a punch & die set is obviously very handy to create plentiful of buttons with the same diameter. I have one and if I had to garnish a figure wit buttons that is the tool I would use. The only negative aspect of a p & d is that you end up with flat discs, especially if one needs cone shaped buttons. But then again if you use ultra thin sheet material to punch, these discs could be glued on and used as a guide to build up a button with whatever sculpting material you are using. Maybe a tedious job but at least you would get the diameter right.

Jhan

 

[Richie]

Hi Ian,
Use ground down hypodermic needles, you can grind them down for different diameters.
cheers
Richie

 

[IronMike]

Use the curved end of a drill bit and punch them out of sheet lead using your finger as a cushion. Doing a lot of them will cause you to have a sore finger but it works. I have also purchased a product called Tichet Train Group Rivets. They come in a bunch of sizes and make excellent domed buttons. I got mine from a model shop in Atlanta but you can order them online http://tichytraingroup.com/index.php?page=view_category.php&category=NBW+&+Rivets&offset=0

 

[Einion]

There are basically two ways to make buttons: making disks which you then attach (with glue, varnish or putty slurry) and forming them in place with your sculpting material. The latter method is preferable in some ways but it's harder to do, particularly in terms of consistent size & thickness.

Einion

 

[housecarl]

You might find something here Ian.
Carl.

 

[ellie]

Hi Guys thanks for all the info will look into them all. The rivits from master club Carl look a good start with lots of diffireant size to go at, thanks Enion have had a go that way and it was very dificult to get a uniformed size. once again thanks for the help. will post my new work when I have it finished cheers
ian

 

[housecarl]

You're welcome.
All the best for 2013,
Carl.

 

[Dan Morton]

I'm only replying because I think I use a slightly different technique. You can purchase hypodermic needles in a number of different diameters (also lengths, but that's not too relevant). I flatten the ends of the needles with a small file. You can also purchase flat end hypo needles but they are harder to find, etc. I roll out putty fairly thin - you won't need much putty to make numerous buttons. Then I use the correct size needle, punch the putty, push the button out using a suitable size wire and affix to the figure. I attach the end not touched by the wire when pushing it out of the hypo needle. Clear enough?

I didn't buy my needles from Amazon, but they have them. Look under Industrial & Scientific "hypodermic needle".

I've also used a punch and die set and roughly used the same process to make buttons, but not as often and normally I find this doesn't produce buttons of uniformity in size, shape.

All the best,
Dan

 

[valiant]

Hi, I use various sizes of dressmakers pins or tiny rivets, dependant on the scale of the figure. With the shank cut off the pin, drill small holes where you want them to be, then a spot of superglue to hold them in place. They will then be a consistent size and shape.
Cheers,
Steve

 

[Einion]

I've also used a punch and die set and roughly used the same process to make buttons, but not as often and normally I find this doesn't produce buttons of uniformity in size, shape.

Hang on a sec, a punch-and-die set didn't give uniform results?! Yikes, given that's basically its one job I'd be massively disappointed

Einion

 

[Dan Morton]

I should have explained Einion. I couldn't always get the punched button (made of putty) out of the die cleanly. Probably if I were patient enough, I could learn to get uniform results. My wife says I'll learn patience in my next life. Gee - I hope so.

I've tried using the punch and die and producing lead foil buttons. They come out uniform and clean, but in my opinion, they just don't look as good as putty.

All the best,
Dan

 

[MCPWilk]

I use different diameters of plastic rod. If you let the tip of the soldering iron hover just over the end, the tip of the rod will form a flattened dome. This will give consistent size buttons and rivets, depending on the diameter of rod used. If you cut the rod about 5mm from the end and drill drill a small hole, it is easy to attach the buttons/ rivets securely.

Good luck,

Mike

 

[ellie]

once again guys thanks so meny diffireant ways to try I'm sure I will now get the one I like the best.
Cheers
ian

 

[Kevindunne]

Pin Heads...especially nice when pressed into soft putty...gets the folds just right.

 

[ellie]

cheers Kevin that sounds good will give that a go too. now have lots to try

cheers

Ian

 

[Diegoff]

I'm used to make the buttons aplying just a small blob of Magic Sculp and modelling it with a sinthetic brush dampened in alcohol.
Years ago I used to make buttons pressing with the buttom of a drill on a lead sheet. You can select the diameter and punch the lead sheet on a soft surface, like a kleenex (paper tissue). Then you can glue them with varnish, or glue.

 

[old grumbler]

Use a punch ( they come in different sizes, try a jewellers tool suppliers) with Talcum powder as a release agent, also let the putty start to slightly harden as it will retain the uniform shape better, also you will get rounded buttons on one side too. Simples

 

[ellie]

cheers have had a go with two of the thoughts the drill one seems to work the best at the moment, just happy to get the buttons on the first figure and they look good .

ian