Almost all button collections include studs. However, they do not enjoy the
same intensity of interest, especially in competition, as buttons. The
reason most often given for this lower attention is the difficulty in
mounting the studs on the cards normally used for buttons. In addition,
installing and removing studs from a card sometimes damages the shank due to
the forces required to push them through the common "X" cut on the card. The following demonstration provides an alternate
method for mounting studs using modern elastic cord in a manner that allows
safe and easy mounting of the studs to the card and does so in a way that
allows direct viewing of the post, foot, operating mechanism and back mark
without removing the stud from the card.
Laced Elastic Cord Method for Mounting Studs
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Background and Tools
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The material and tools for this technique include a mounting
card, a small awl, and some type of elastic cord or line. Shown
at right are two elastic cord products. One is Stretch Magic
which is clear like fishing line, very strong, and least
noticeable. The second is Jewelry Essentials Stringing that has
a fabric feel and is somewhat easier to handle especially when
sliding the foot of the stud between the elastic cord and the
mounting card. Both products are found at hobby centers. The
entire process is shown below in figures 1-3. This process is
simple and holds the studs firmly to the card. However, since
each stud takes up slack in the lacing, the elastic cord or line
should be left very loose to accommodate the mounting process.
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Preparing the Mounting Card
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Views of Threaded Card
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The photograph above shows the front of a test card with three
studs mounted and a view of the elastic line (Stretch
Magic) laced through the square array of holes in the card. Note
that each stud installed removes slack in the elastic cord.
Failure to leave sufficient slack
will make the mounting of subsequent studs increasingly
difficult.
The photograph above shows the back of a test card including the
start and end point of the elastic cord
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Installing the Studs
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Sample Card of Rebus Studs Mounted with the Elastic Cord Method
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