1 inch Key Chains (and they said it wasn't possible)

All of the ButtonMakers machines can be used to make key chains as well as buttons with the use of the Welded Eye and Snaphook Key Chains (or if you have a 2-1/4 inch machine there are dedicated key chain sets available to you.) - All of the sizes, that is, except for 1 inch. One inch people have been stuck making buttons, magnets, tie tacks, and earrings only...

UNTIL NOW!!!

Thats right folks - with a little poking, prodding, cutting, and crafty spirit I've figured out a way to make key chains with the 1 inch button making machine and parts. Please note that this machine and these parts were not made for this, so proceed at your own risk. (I've done it a bunch of times and never had any problems though).

Okay first you will need the following:

- A model 100 Button Maker (of course)
- Complete 1 inch Button Parts*
- 1 inch Flat Backs
- Key Chain Snaphook Sets**
- A pointy exacto knife (like the one in the photo)
- A graphic cut into a circle

*Complete sets include Shells, Collets, Mylar, and Lock Pins -- but you won't need the Lock Pins for Key Chains.

** Key Chain Snaphook Sets include the Key Chain component itself and the Welded Eyes you'll use to attach the key chain to the button.

1. Get everything you need together.

2. Hold the Welded Eye up to the flat back to get a feel for where you should start cutting. You want the Welded Eye to be as close to the top as possible, but you don't want the flat metal part to protrude from underneath the flat back.

3. With the flat back on the table or a cutting board poke the tip of the knife into spot where your hole will be, and begin to twist it around and around. Keep twisting the knife in further making a nice cricle wide enough to just get the Welded Eye through
***Production Tip***
If you want to make 100's or 1000's of these for resale, I would recommend purchasing the key chain punch to make these holes instead of doing this by hand.

4. Poke the Welded Eye through the hole and set aside.

5. Begin loading the button machine. Put the Shell, Graphic, and Mylar into the takeup die (the one with springs). Then put the Collet into the crimp die as normal. Then carefully insert the Flat Back with Welded Eye on top of Collet, eye side down.

6. Press as you would if you were making a button, but with a little more care.

7. Remove the button from the machine, and attach the Snaphook Key Chain onto the back.

That's it. You've made yourself a 1 inch Key Chain!!
And they said it wasn't possible...