The
Badge-A-Matic 1 button press
The
Badge-A-Matic 1 differs a great deal from the BAM hand
press and BAM bench press systems.
Instead
of the plastic assembly rings, the Badge-A-Matic 1 has
built-in assembly rings (also known as dies) and those rings
are made of aluminum.
Operating
the Badge-A-Matic 1 button press
Of
the four button machines Badge-A-Minit offers, the Badge-A-Matic
1 is actually their fastest.
You
operate the Badge-A-Matic 1 button press by first stacking
the front and back metal button parts, your artwork, and a single
mylar disc (the plastic covering) within the die assembly and
push down twice on the handle to press the button parts together.
Doing
so takes the art and plastic covering, pulls them taut over the
face of the button and tucks the excess up underneath the button.
The result is much the same as how making a bed tucks the excess
portion of the sheets and blankets under the mattress.
It
also presses the back part of the button into front, and crimps
the edges together.
To
reach top speed with a manually operated button machine, you
really need to secure it to a work surface to gain stability
and better leverage.
Trying
to operate a manual button press, like the Badge-A-Matic 1,
at top speeds without being secured can cause the press to rock
and tip, thus slowing the speed at which the machine can actually
operate.
Yet
one of the drawbacks with the Badge-A-Matic 1 button press
is that Badge-A-Minit does not provide an easy way to secure
it to a work surface.
Badge-A-Minit's
Cut-A-Circle circle cutter
Cutting
artwork for your buttons is an integral part of making buttons,
so a discussion of the cutter you will use is important for full
understanding of the button-making process.
Badge-A-Minit's
Cut-A-Circle, which is included with the Badge-A-Matic 1
button press system priced at $379.95, is an all plastic circle
cutter that has a straight-edge cutting blade.
When
the blade is sharp, the cutter works quite well.
However,
because you use the same part of the blade for each cut, the
blade dulls quickly and needs to be replaced on a regular basis.
The
cutting blade on the Badge-A-Minit's Cut-A-Circle is not re-sharpenable.
Replacement
blades for the Cut-A-Circle are sold in packs of two for $3.95.
If
you plan on making lots of buttons using the Cut-A-Circle circle
cutter, be sure to keep extra blades on hand at all times.
Making
photo buttons with the Badge-A-Matic 1 button press system
One
of the biggest short comings for a button machine that costs
as much as the Badge-A-Matic 1 button press does, is its
inability to make professional-quality photo buttons using photographic
prints, such as what you get from a photo lab.
To
make a photo button, users of the Badge-A-Matic 1 button
press must first change the setting on their BAM circle cutter
to its second setting, which allows it to cut the photograph
to the size of the "face" of the button.
By
taking this step, the Badge-A-Matic 1 then doesn't have
wrap the photograph over the edge and up under the button, as
it does with buttons made using lighter paper.
The
drawback to this procedure, however, is that the photographic
image then will stop on top of the button and the button's metal
edge will show.
And
unless the image is trapped dead center when making the button,
your photograph will sit off-center.
Return
policy
As
with all their machines, Badge-A-Minit offers a 30-day return
policy with the Badge-A-Matic 1.
Be
aware, however, that they will charge 10% of the purchase price
as a re-stocking fee if you return the machine for a refund.
With
the cost of the return postage, insurance, and the 10% restocking
fee, it would likely cost about $50.00 to return this machine
if it doesn't meet your needs.
Pro's and
Con's with the Badge-A-Matic 1 button press system
Pros
of the Badge-A-Matic 1 button press system
Does produce better buttons than can be made with the BAM
hand press or bench press systems
Is faster and easier to operate than either the BAM hand press
or bench press system
Cons
of the Badge-A-Matic 1 button press system
Is the second most expensive button-making machine compared.
Does not create "professional-quality" photo buttons
using photo-weight paper.
Manual
Cut-A-Circle circle cutter isn't fully adjustable, and
its blades must be replaced on a regular basis.
No easy way to secure the button machine to a work surface.
The 10% restocking fee and return postage make this a very expensive
machine to return if you aren't satisfied.
(800) 243-8293 or (623) 869-8233
(Canadian customers...
you can reach us using our 800 number)
The mailing
address for Dr. Don's Buttons is:
3906 W. Morrow Drive Glendale, Arizona 85308
We Gladly Accept Purchase Orders
from Schools, Hospitals, and Government Agencies
