Why having
a button machine with interchangeable dies
isn't as good an idea as it might seem
One of the questions
that I am asked most frequently asked is, "Do the button
machines you offer have interchangeable dies?"
The answer is, "No,
they don't".
While having a button
machine with interchangeable dies might seem like a cost effective
solution for someone just getting started, here's why it's not
as good an idea as it might seem.
Quite simply, the
most expensive part of a manually operated button machine is
it's dies. The tooling that is necessary to create a set of metal
dies is costly.
The least expensive
part of most machines is it's base.
When we first started
to offer button machines, we offered one that had interchangeable
plastic dies.
But by the time
anyone purchased that machine and a second set of dies, the cost
was actually more than it would have been to purchase any two
of the all metal machines we now offer (Model 100, Mini-Magic,
Model 150 MS, Model 175 RX, Model 225, or Model 300 SX).
And the dies on
that interchangeable machine were made of a plastic-like compound,
not solid-steel like the dies that are found on our current machines.
While plastic has
its uses, it just can't withstand the rigors of button-making
the way steel does. Plastic will warp, crack and break (and always
at the worst possible time). Steel won't.
Also plastic dies / assembly rings don't have the ability to
crimp button pieces (that are made of steel) as tightly and professionaly
as steel dies do.
If you've ever seen buttons that were made by an inexpensive
Badge A Minit machine, you probably noticed the edge of the button
was rough and somewhat serrated. This is caused by the machine
not being able to transfer enough mechanical energy into to the
button parts to tightly crimp the edge of button. Steel dies
can do a much better job of transferring mechanical energy and
this is why carpenters use hammers that are made of steel...
not plastic or aluminum.
Another reason interchangeability
isn't as good an idea as it might seem is that if you have a
button machine that has a single base, but two sets of dies,
you can only make one size button at a time.
With two machines
(and a little help), you can make both size buttons at the same
time. Or make both sizes in two separate locations.
This might not be
important when you are first getting started. But once your business
starts to grow, I guarantee you, it will be!
Another reason why
interchangeable dies isn't as good an idea as it might seem is
the time factor that would be involved in changing out the dies.
Imagine how frustrated you would get if you had to spend 5 or
10 minutes changing the dies on your button just to make one
or two sample buttons and then spend 5 or 10 minutes more to
go back to the size you were trying to produce!
Interchangeability
sounds like a good idea, but due to the factors mentioned above,
I think you'll agree that it just isn't worth it.
To
see all the machines we currently offer, click here.
