Flattest possible fastener for keychain?

[Klara]

This is my new keychain with a 50-cent piece inside (for shopping caddies). I know it's not beautiful, but it might do the job. Or not, if the flap, which I have made without any fastener, doesn't stay closed in long-term use.

What could I use for a very flat fastener?  My snaps are all pretty high (and don't close securely, cheap stuff), so are Sam Brown studs. Velcro would have to be sewn on and thus look ugly on the outside of the flap, besides I don't think that Velcro and pocket lint are a good combination. Any sort of buckle is right out. Is there anything left short of making the flap longer and narrower and  pushing it through a loop sewn to the pocket? 

 

[fredk]

KAM snaps

Thats what I use

[Klara]

What does KAM stand for (Amazon has a lot of different results) and where do I find good ones?

[fredk]

KAM is the name of type of snap/popper

They come in different sizes and a multitudinous of colours

The most common size is T5, which I use most of of but there are many sizes. The next main size is T16. T5 are about 12.5mm across the cap and a 5mm post. Its only good for thin leather, up to about 1.8mm thick. T16 are 16mm across the cap with a 8mm post. There are variations but are hard to get

You need a special tool to squeeze down the central post on the caps

 

A full set of several hundred T5 snaps in different colours and the pliers can be bought for under or about 15 E

T16 can be bought for about 6E per 100. The same pliers tool works with them. It usually comes with the necessary parts, as seen in the picture above 

eg; https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/364488348551?var=0&mkevt=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&campid=5338749387&toolid=20006&customid=GB_14339_364488348551.146494749527~1869017347642-g_CjwKCAjw-eKpBhAbEiwAqFL0monctUkpe5DA2IkEdCAx9rn7xBA-i5-OHL4MsITycXFfb9qgPohu5xoC8bEQAvD_BwE

I use them all the time on thin leather goods, like the key-ring purse or these pen cases

 

Edited October 25, 2023 by fredk

[MtlBiker]

5 hours ago, Klara said:

What does KAM stand for (Amazon has a lot of different results) and where do I find good ones?

I've bought a lot of stuff from Kamsnaps... presses, dies, snaps, jean buttons, rivets, etc.  I have two of their top metal presses as well as one for their plastic snaps.  Service has always been outstanding!  (Really, one of my favorite suppliers to deal with.)

But I don't know if they ship to European countries.  They do ship to me in Canada, so I wouldn't be surprised if they can ship to you.

 

[Klara]

Thanks a lot! That's very helpful!

[toxo]

On 10/24/2023 at 7:17 PM, Klara said:

This is my new keychain with a 50-cent piece inside (for shopping caddies). I know it's not beautiful, but it might do the job. Or not, if the flap, which I have made without any fastener, doesn't stay closed in long-term use.

What could I use for a very flat fastener?  My snaps are all pretty high (and don't close securely, cheap stuff), so are Sam Brown studs. Velcro would have to be sewn on and thus look ugly on the outside of the flap, besides I don't think that Velcro and pocket lint are a good combination. Any sort of buckle is right out. Is there anything left short of making the flap longer and narrower and  pushing it through a loop sewn to the pocket? 

 

Not the answer to your question Klara and maybe not much use to you but this will open any shopping trolley over here. Haven't had to worry bout a pound coin for a couple years now. 

 

Edited October 25, 2023 by toxo
Forgot pic.

[Klara]

What is it and how do you use it?

[toxo]

5 hours ago, Klara said:

What is it and how do you use it?

The key on a tin of corned beef. You just push it in the slot. Maybe wiggle it depends on the size of your coins. 

[fredk]

I don't think it would work on trolleys here. They have a plastic slide in tray in which you put in a coin or token. Pushing in the tray releases the chain on the other end. But mostly we have gone coin-free, with auto-lock wheels on the trolleys

[MtlBiker]

1 hour ago, fredk said:

I don't think it would work on trolleys here. They have a plastic slide in tray in which you put in a coin or token. Pushing in the tray releases the chain on the other end. But mostly we have gone coin-free, with auto-lock wheels on the trolleys

You folks talking about "trolleys"... to me, a trolley is a street car.  A transportation device.  Are you talking about what we here call a "shopping cart"?

[fredk]

On 10/24/2023 at 7:17 PM, Klara said:

. . . (for shopping caddies). . .

 

2 hours ago, fredk said:

. . .  trolleys . . .

 

23 minutes ago, MtlBiker said:

. . . "shopping cart" . . .

Same thing in three different countries

[Wepster]

On 10/24/2023 at 2:17 PM, Klara said:

This is my new keychain with a 50-cent piece inside (for shopping caddies). I know it's not beautiful, but it might do the job. Or not, if the flap, which I have made without any fastener, doesn't stay closed in long-term use.

What could I use for a very flat fastener?  My snaps are all pretty high (and don't close securely, cheap stuff), so are Sam Brown studs. Velcro would have to be sewn on and thus look ugly on the outside of the flap, besides I don't think that Velcro and pocket lint are a good combination. Any sort of buckle is right out. Is there anything left short of making the flap longer and narrower and  pushing it through a loop sewn to the pocket? 

 

I might have (though the flap is much nicer), extended the sides past the coin, enough to put a snap in. it would be similar in shape to the ring portion. Or, folded over where you have the fold, and snap near the ring, thus only two thicknesses, rather than 3 plus a snap.

[Klara]

10 hours ago, Wepster said:

I might have (though the flap is much nicer), extended the sides past the coin, enough to put a snap in. it would be similar in shape to the ring portion. Or, folded over where you have the fold, and snap near the ring, thus only two thicknesses, rather than 3 plus a snap.

Took me a minute to get the first part, and still haven't understood the second possibility. But it gave me another (?) idea: Using the snap on the keyring for holding a pouch closed (without flap, just the two long sides). I believe that should work to stop the coin from falling out.

Though the closure-less version survived its first trip just fine. And strictly speaking I don't need more than one keychain (all my other keys are already equipped with useful accessories: Mini-Victorinox, mini-Leatherman, mini-compass, -thermometer and light....)

 

[Wepster]

What you are saying is similar to my second idea. I will make another attempt at my first idea. 2 pieces of leather, sort of symetrical in shape, round with tabs opposite each other. stitched halfway round the circle to the key ring, continuing back to other side (opposite half of circle). then just a snap on tab opposite key ring tab.

I too have a tiny light and a Vicorinox Manager (like having the pen and sissors) on my key ring. I use these fishing clips instead of the split ring. Easier to get on and off (some places do allow even the smallest knife) https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0895SKN8V/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1

I use larger version on larger SAK. got idea from someones youtube channel, do no recall whose.

[Klara]

Update: I am still using my little coin pouch without any fastener at all. The leather is stiff enough to not curl up and the flap bein sewn on instead of folded over makes a difference. 

[toxo]

1 hour ago, Klara said:

Update: I am still using my little coin pouch without any fastener at all. The leather is stiff enough to not curl up and the flap bein sewn on instead of folded over makes a difference. 

You could just re-shape the flap (or sew on another piece)  into a finger and sew on a small keeper to slide it in.

[Klara]

No need, it works as it is. The big advantage of making things only for me (and not for sale or as presents) is that there's no need for perfection. 

Sh*t, in typing that I get the idea that such little keychains would be a great welcome present for sighthound races... I didn't need that idea! 

Edited 17 hours ago by Klara

[SUP]

For such small items, I just stick on the spot shaped Velcro fasteners - hook and loop, I believe they are called. I use good glue though. The glue on these is abysmal.

[DJole]

On 10/26/2023 at 5:54 AM, fredk said:

Same thing in three different countries

And to add to the confusion, the industry term for them is a "Baskart".... ;-)

[DieselTech]

I know you said your Keychain is working out OK. 

But for a flat low profile fastner. Look into Glove Snaps.

[AlZilla]

I'm probably going to feel like a dummy when I get the answer, but ...

What is this thing for? Are shopping carts in the rest of the world locked up somehow? 

[fredk]

Yes they are. They are fastened to each other with a short chain which is released by inserting a coin, usually a £1 coin here. When you are finished with your shopping you return the cart to the line of the rest, re-insert the locking chain fitting and you get your coin back.

Its aim to stop people stealing the carts

[BlackDragon]

43 minutes ago, AlZilla said:

I'm probably going to feel like a dummy when I get the answer, but ...

What is this thing for? Are shopping carts in the rest of the world locked up somehow? 

They had these in NY while I was there.

[Cumberland Highpower]

1 hour ago, AlZilla said:

I'm probably going to feel like a dummy when I get the answer, but ...

What is this thing for? Are shopping carts in the rest of the world locked up somehow? 

I think it's more of a way to get the customer to put the cart back (reducing labor) than to keep the carts from getting stollen.

Only place in the USA I've seen this is at ALDI. (A German company).  If you've ever been to an ALDI you'll see they have about 1/2 the employees they should at any given time.

They use a quarter at Aldis.  I'd definitely return the cart if a whole Pound Sterling was at stake :O 

I went to Lidl a couple times in Romania, there customers buy some plastic poker chip at the counter and then put it in the cart in lieu of a coin. (Or in Lieu of a Leu?)!! At least they did it when I was there last.  

In NY, hard to say, from what I see on tv they lock pretty much everything up, not just the carts?

 

 

Edited 11 hours ago by Cumberland Highpower