The Badge-A-Matic II button press
The
Badge-A-Matic II is an electrically operated 2-1/4"
button machine and has built-in assembly rings (also known as
dies), just like their Badge-A-Matic 1.
Problems
with the Badge-A-Matic II
The
biggest problem I have with the Badge-A-Matic II isn't
so much with the machine itself, but with what BAM fails to disclose
about it to potential customers in their sales literature (catalog
and web site).
What
they fail to disclose is certainly something any potential customer
would want to know before they spent nearly $1000 on a button
machine.
To
see what I'm talking about, just keep reading.
* * * * * *
* * * * * * *
Read
any of the sales literature for the Badge-A-Matic II and
Badge-A-Minit's Lifetime Guarantee might lull you into believing
that they will cover any problems you might have with the Badge-A-Matic
II.
Sorry,
but according to a bulletin sent out by Badge-A-Minit, the motor
of the Badge-A-Matic II probably will not be covered
if there is a problem!
Here's
what that bulletin (shown below in red) said:
To
operate the Badge-A-Matic II, you only have to load the parts
into the built-in assembly rings in the proper order, close the
lid, then push the "activate" button. However, the
instructions direct you to WAIT FIVE FULL SECONDS before
lifting the lid to eject your finished button. This time allows
the motor to slow down, come to a stop on its own, and allows
for the best operational results. It may seem like a long time,
but opening the lid too soon will wear the motor out, which will
lead to repairs and time without your machine.
We
repair hundreds of Badge-A-Matic II machines each year with this
problem, and because it is primarily due to improper operation,
we cannot cover the repairs under our lifetime guarantee.
Since
the cost of repairing or replacing the motor in a Badge-A-Matic
II would likely be a very expensive proposition, I feel that
it is absolutely unconscionable for Badge-A-Minit not to disclose
this to customers until AFTER they have purchased the
machine.
Especially
since their literature says "LIFETIME GUARANTEE".
Operating
the Badge-A-Matic II
Badge-A-Minit's
catalog says the Badge-A-Matic II is their fastest machine.
But
due to the number of the additional steps you must take to operate
the Badge-A-Matic II, the Badge-A-Matic 1 and our
Model 225 are both faster machines.
Following
are the steps you must take to operate the Badge-A-Matic II:
First, lift the clear safety
cover and insert the button parts into the the built-in assembly
rings / dies and do so in the proper sequence.
Second, close the safety
cover and push the "activate" button. The dies will
go through two up/down motions, during which time the button
parts and artwork will be pressed together.
Third.... and this
is important, you are instructed to wait a full 5 seconds
after the button has completed its cycle before lifting the machine's
safety cover.
According
to a Badge-A-Minit bulletin, "...this time (5 seconds) allows
the motor to slow down, come to a stop on its own, and allows
for the best operational results".
And
finally,
after the 5 second wait, you lift the safety cover, remove the
finished button, and insert more button parts into the machine
so the next button can be made.
With
the additional steps of raising and lowering the safety cover
and the mandated five second wait, the Badge-A-Matic II
just isn't a faster machine.
Cleaning
the dies of the Badge-A-Matic II
I
first started making buttons in 1990. Prior to the introduction
of the Model 225, I owned two Badge-A-Matic II's and
used them both extensively. My biggest complaint with
them was simply the number of bad buttons they both created.
There were times they would create five bad buttons in a row!
What
can happen over time is that small flecks of dust, paper and
other types of goo can g lodge in and around the dies of the
Badge-A-Matic II and that goo will cause the dies not
to slide up and down smoothly,and lead to a higher reject rate.
Since
BAM's warranty can be voided by disassembling the machine, you
are in reality forced to return the machine to BAM whenever cleaning
is necessary.
The
Badge-A-Matic II weighs 30 lbs, so the shipping and insurance
costs required to return the machine for cleaning or for any
other reason, can get really expensive, especially since you
get to pay the shipping both to and from Badge-A-Minit.
Users
who might still benefit by using the Badge-A-Matic II
Even
with the limitations noted above, a person who has a physical
impairment of their upper/lower body or doesn't have the physical
strength to operate a manually operated button press might still
find the Badge-A-Matic II to be their best / only feasible
option for making 2-1/4" buttons.
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 an
understanding of the complete button-making process.
Badge-A-Minit's
Cut-A-Circle is all plastic and has a straight-edge cutting blade.
When this 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 will need to be replaced on a regular
basis.
The
cutting blade in 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 and will use a Cut-A-Circle
circle cutter, be sure to keep extra blades on hand at all times.
Making
photo buttons with the Badge-A-Matic II
For
a button machine that costs as much as does the Badge-A-Matic
II, its inability to make professional-quality photo buttons,
using photographic prints, should certainly be taken into consideration.
Users
of the Badge-A-Matic II must follow the same work around
that all other BAM machines require, which is to first change
the setting on the BAM circle cutter to its second setting, and
cut the photograph to the size of the "face" of the
button.
By
taking this step, the Badge-A-Matic II doesn't have wrap
the photograph over the edge and up under the button, as it would
with buttons made using lighter paper.
Again,
the drawback to this procedure is that the photographic image
will stop on top of the button and the metal edge of the button
will show through.
Return
policy
As
with all the machines Badge-A-Minit offers, the Badge-A-Matic
II comes with a 30-day return policy.
However,
if you were unhappy and decide to return the machine, you will
be required to pay the return postage. And do keep in mind, the
Badge-A-Matic II weighs 30 pounds.
BAM
will also charge you 10% of the purchase price as a re-stocking
fee if you return the machine.
With
the cost of return postage, insurance, and that 10% restocking
fee, it would likely cost about $100.00 for you to return the
Badge-A-Matic II if it doesn't meet your needs.
Pro's and
Con's with the Badge-A-Matic II button press system
Pros
of the Badge-A-Matic II button press system
Does produce better quality buttons than the BAM hand press
or BAM bench press system.
Is faster and easier to operate than either the BAM hand press
or BAM bench press system.
For
people who have any upper/lower body problems, this machine may
still be your best option for making 2-1/4" buttons.
Cons
of the Badge-A-Matic II button press system
Is the most expensive button-making machine compared.
Is
not as fast as the Badge-A-Matic 1 or the Model 225.
The
motor likely is not covered under Badge-A-Minit's Lifetime Warranty.
The
Cut-A-Circle circle cutter is not fully adjustable, and
it's blades must be replaced on a regular basis.
It
has a higher reject rate when the dies get dirty.
Cannot create "professional-quality" photo buttons
using photo-weight paper.
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
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
