Tack buttons as fastening/closure mechanism

[EfrainBG]

Hi, everyone!

I just woke up in the middle of the night with the idea of using a tack button as a closing or locking device on a bag I'm planning to do... with tack buttons (I don't know if the name is the same everywhere) I mean the kind of buttons you see in jeans and Levi's trucker jackets.

Has anyone used these before? I've only been able to find some copies for popular jeans brands on Amazon, but all of them have plastic in the middle as a locking mechanism for the tack that hold them in place... besides, all I've been able to find has some sort of inscription or design engraved on the button face and I would like to use the plainest I can find to keep the bag as simple as posible... or maybe have them engraved with something more personal, like initials, personal logo, whatnot.

Thanks in advance!!

[EfrainBG]

Just as a reference, this is a link to show more precisely what I'm talking about:

https://www.amazon.com/20mm-Grey-Silver-No-sew-Buttons/dp/B00EIOLPV2/ref=pd_sim_201_2?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B00EIOLPV2&pd_rd_r=R4148HRBB4PKPN3D8HCS&pd_rd_w=k25pl&pd_rd_wg=QNvVN&psc=1&refRID=R4148HRBB4PKPN3D8HCS

[RockyAussie]

Hi EfrainBG, I have used these before but take into account that there is a lot more to consider in the hole size than there is in a Sam Brown stud. Some pics in this pdf file should help to explain. Hope that helps. Regards Brian

Hornback button wristband.pdf

[EfrainBG]

That helps a lot, Brian!!

I actually had in mind making the buttonhole just as a side please cut in the leather... pretty much the way these buttons are used on a pair of jeans.

Would you care to share where did you get those buttons and whether there's the need for special tools to install them?

Thanks a lot!!

[RockyAussie]

No special tools needed really, They will just hammer in together. The pics may be a little better looking than original as I polished the tops a bit first. This then started to show the copper coat layer and to get a really good look they would need to be re-plated. The supplier is from Australia and is mostly a wholesaler but the company is Marish Accessories in Melbourne.http://www.marishaccessories.com.au/index.html

The ones I've used are the smaller 14mm tops and if want just a few pm me a postal location if that helps. I would think if your in the US - Ohio Travel would have them.Regards Brian

[TinkerTailor]

They are commonly referred to as jeans buttons. I searched for these a while back, not many options as you have found. Most are cheaply made.

These guys may be worth a call:

http://www.scovill.com/product/apparel/jeanswear/duramark-tack-buttons/

And these guys sell them in 25's in a couple colours, but they are in Canada. Exchange rate is really favorable with american right now..

https://www.paccana.com/product/434/buckles/metal-jean-buttons

[HBAR]

They are also called bachelor buttons, suspender buttons, brace buttons, logger buttons.

 I have used them extensively. I personally wouldnt use them for anything that needed fastening.(if it mattered) The two pieces will separate if you put too much tension on them or flex them too much.  Im sure there are certain ones that are better than others.

https://www.amazon.com/Bachelor-Buttons-Suspender-Suspenders-Replacement/dp/B017YY7SLS

[EfrainBG]

On 3/12/2016 at 8:44 PM, RockyAussie said:

No special tools needed really, They will just hammer in together. The pics may be a little better looking than original as I polished the tops a bit first. This then started to show the copper coat layer and to get a really good look they would need to be re-plated. The supplier is from Australia and is mostly a wholesaler but the company is Marish Accessories in Melbourne.http://www.marishaccessories.com.au/index.html

The ones I've used are the smaller 14mm tops and if want just a few pm me a postal location if that helps. I would think if your in the US - Ohio Travel would have them.Regards Brian

Thanks again, Brian... I really appreciate the offer, but there's no point in asking for a sample. I already made some tests and I will eventually buy these... they do have them in Ohio Travel Bag and the other suggestions made here by other members. thanks for the tip!

 

On 4/12/2016 at 11:00 AM, TinkerTailor said:

They are commonly referred to as jeans buttons. I searched for these a while back, not many options as you have found. Most are cheaply made.

These guys may be worth a call:

http://www.scovill.com/product/apparel/jeanswear/duramark-tack-buttons/

And these guys sell them in 25's in a couple colours, but they are in Canada. Exchange rate is really favorable with american right now..

https://www.paccana.com/product/434/buckles/metal-jean-buttons

TinkerTailor... I researched and did call those companies, but they're mainly wholesale stores... Canvill looked the nicest of the two, and they have a Mexico sales rep, but they ask for a minimum of 4000 pieces or so... out of the question!! Pac Cana asked for several mandatory fields in their registration form that make me think they sell only to US citizens... hehe I might be better off buying the standard ones from Amazon or Ohio Travel Bag and call it a day.

 

22 hours ago, HBAR said:

They are also called bachelor buttons, suspender buttons, brace buttons, logger buttons.

 I have used them extensively. I personally wouldnt use them for anything that needed fastening.(if it mattered) The two pieces will separate if you put too much tension on them or flex them too much.  Im sure there are certain ones that are better than others.

https://www.amazon.com/Bachelor-Buttons-Suspender-Suspenders-Replacement/dp/B017YY7SLS

Durability was actually one of my concerns when I thought of this, but I figured if one of these can withstand several years of constant pressure on am undersized pair of jeans, they might do the job quite well. I actually made a test with one I took from an old Airzona jeans (plus a copper rivet I used to fix it in place since I screwed up the tack) and it behaves as expected... here's a shot of how I would use it. The strap with the button on it comes from below the bag, goes into the D-Ring attached to the strap coming from the flap of the bag and buttons in on itself.

[TinkerTailor]

6 hours ago, EfrainBG said:

Pac Cana asked for several mandatory fields in their registration form that make me think they sell only to US citizens

Totally not the case, They are Canadian. I think it is short for Pacific Canada.

[EfrainBG]

I'll look some more into it. Maybe there's a way around if I mail them.

[TinkerTailor]

7 hours ago, EfrainBG said:

I'll look some more into it. Maybe there's a way around if I mail them.

Never know, I have only picked up stuff in person.

[EfrainBG]

On 5/12/2016 at 8:34 PM, TinkerTailor said:

Totally not the case, They are Canadian. I think it is short for Pacific Canada.

   Well, what'cha know??? there is a restriction to buy in PacCana: I can only have the items sent to an US address if I have a SSN or a Tax Id... neither of which is the case.

   I'll have to buy in Amazon or Ohio Travel Bag... not that big a deal, but man, those items sent from China do make a dent in the waiting times!!!