ButtonLady

After waaaaay too many YouTube videos, I have learned that rivet die action is not standardized. Most have the cap as the "good" end, set with the leather upside-down. At least one die set has spring action and sets the male on top with the leather right side-up. As for rhinestone rivets... all dies demonstrated on YouTube, with the exception of Gold Star (which is spring loaded), set them rhinestone down. Agreed. I am now on the hunt for a 3/8" shank rhinestone rivet die that is self-setting (spring action). I may have to have it made. Le sigh.

I watched just ONE "Feed Off the Arm" video on YouTube... and now it's two hours later.

Well... what a surprise, I was wrong. Just found a GoldStar Tool video demonstrating a spring-loaded rhinestone rivet die set. You load the rhinestone part right-side up in the top die. I will slink away in shame now.

Kwaaked, I'm getting even more off-topic here, but... what kind(s) of rhinestones are you setting with your dies? —pronged spots? —rivets? I'm working on a die adapter for the Osborne machine because I *really* want to set rhinestones with it. There's a fine line between "determined" and "stupidly stubborn" and I crossed it a while ago, but anyway... I'm also crazy-impressed that you designed a jeans pattern and make corsets. I've made a few costume-y corsets (with zip tie boning) for fun, but the "authentic" one with spiral boning nearly killed me.

1962 Kenmore straight-stitch, probably made by White. Unfortunately, I remember the needles were short and the last one was on the machine when it went to the (first) repair shop. Then to the second shop to repair the damage done by the first (seriously)... and there's more but that's enough.

I see you are familiar with my addiction... My apologies for derailing the thread. My mother's Kenmore buttonholer made perfect gorgeous buttonholes, and I destroyed it by using a too-long needle (modern "standard" needles are too long... who knew...). At least the repair guy said it couldn't be salvaged, but he had huge stack of work to get to and I'm not sure it's true.

One of these days... (maybe) I'll convert my Fasnap hand machine into a foot press: https://kamsnaps.com/blogs/news/how-to-mount-your-kam-table-press-to-a-foot-kick

That is a very good point (that I had not considered). Rhinestone rivets got me thinking about this: They're always set upside-down with a machine die (or with a hammer/pad)... at least, I've never seen them set any other way. I wondered if the cap is the "rough" end since the rhinestone is clearly the "finished" end.

Unless I'm doing it wrong (always a possibility), the cap goes in the top die and the capped rivet in the bottom. Now I'm wondering... is one of the caps the "good" cap? Or... should they both be identical (so you can't tell the difference between which end is which)?

Which press did you end up buying?

Are the screw threads compatible?

Do you mean a screw stud? Yes, I realize this is not a Chicago screw, but it is a snap that can be used as a furniture component. What part of a Chicago screw assembly do you want to "look like furniture snaps"? What will be its function?

Osborne is still a private company owned by the Osborne family.

I don't know much (actually nothing) about leather knives, but I do know Osborne's round button cutters are not honed to a sharp edge at the factory. We send ours out to Bob McBride, literally the only guy we trust: www.bobbymactheknife.com We are not affiliated in any way, we don't get a discount for referrals... we just love the work he does (and pay the same rate as everyone else).

Absolutely not! When they have returned to full operation, definitely contact them regarding their guarantee: We will replace, free of charge, any tool which may prove unsatisfactory in performance if sent for inspection, freight prepaid. Tools which are known to have given reasonable service, or have been misused, or damaged, will not be considered defective.

Osborne is in the middle of an emergency shutdown due to a Covid outbreak in the factory. Calls are being routed to Massasoit Tackband in Massachusetts, one of their recent acquisitions. They don't normally answer phones, and yes... many of their employees are immigrants with limited English. They're doing the best they can. Please understand this is a highly unusual situation. I can't speak to your other concerns, but I can explain this one.

My pleasure!

I use eyelets and caps interchangeably without a problem. The only potential issue is post length: "Standard" Cap Post Length = 3/16" "Standard" Eyelet Post Length = 1/4" Caps with longer posts are available. Never hurts to ask for samples to see which works best!

Until yesterday, I didn't know they made anything but rhinestones. Duh... I have since learned they also make (in addition to scopes) binoculars, telescopes, jewelers loupes, and camera lenses.

Swarovski Optik will be absorbed into the new streamlined Swarovski company. Doesn't look like Optik products will really change, if at all. The big news is that various decorative crystal divisions will be consolidated, and less profitable products and markets will be dumped. My apologies for not making that clear. I'm a little fixated on shiny things right now...

Standard Rivet has already removed "Swarovski" from their "Bling in the Ring" rhinestone spot description. Don't know if they switched to another brand. Is it worth paying extra for Swarovski if you can't actually tell anyone it's Swarovski?

From my supplier: As you may already know, Swarovski’s business model is evolving. They will be reserving the name "Swarovski" solely for their own line of jewelry and giftware. Starting October 1, 2021 you may NOT mention the Swarovski brand when selling finished products embellished with Swarovski crystals. Period. You can still use their crystals in your products, but may NOT say "made with genuine Swarovski crystals" anymore. Retail markets like DIY and nail salons will be eliminated entirely. Swarovski’s new distribution model will "focus on the protection of the Swarovski brand assets and is therefore designed for wholesale customers, manufacturers, and application centers." If you're selling to end users, you may NOT use the Swarovski name after September. A lot of distributors (like mine) are dropping Swarovski entirely in favor of other fine crystal brands like Preciosa. Does that mean Swarovski is hiring lawyers to troll the internet in search of errant Etsy sellers? Who knows... maybe?

Embellishment on this collar (for example) has no visible means of attachment: http://dogmopolitan.com/?product=rn-design-cream-glass-cab-swarovski-crystal-dog-collar-leather-custom No obvious stitching, either. Is it common practice to attach spots to an outer collar layer, then glue it to an inner layer? I can't think of any other way to achieve this look... although clearly I have no idea what I'm doing...

Found a few more collars embellished with spots (via Etsy). Thinner synthetic "Biothane" collars have 4-prong spots rather than 2-prong: Madison and Maude Luxury Handmade Pet Products Woofwear Collars (Crystal Chic) Luxury Collars by Moxie Collars No one seems be complaining (?). Now I'm wondering about horse tack... Here's a Biothane set with 2-prong rhinestone spots: https://www.twohorsetack.com/p-29-western-bridle-full-browband-made-from-beta-biothane-with-bling.aspx Just how common is this?