Most people love their Tecre Manual Button Maker. So keeping it happy and at optimal health is often a priority. When things seem awry, you may begin to worry about your button maker’s well-being. Here are 3 signs that could signify your button maker needs to be returned for a check-up (and 3 more signs it doesn’t!)
You may need to send your button maker in to Tecre if…
- Buttons are not crimping tightly. You can tell a lot about the health of the button maker by examining the buttons it is producing. If loose buttons cannot be resolved following the recommendations seen here, it may be time to send the button maker in for a general tune-up which consists of replacing necessary parts and making sure everything is adjusted properly.
- Handle does not come down smoothly. A healthy button maker should have a smooth descent as you crimp the button. If it doesn’t, it could indicate wearing of parts that can only be replaced and resolved at Tecre’s facility.
- The button maker has been dismantled. As noted in Button Making Commandments, once the button making machine is taken apart, it’s unlikely that it can be assembled again to function properly. Sending the button maker back to Tecre at this point is in your best interest – and your customer’s!
You do not need to send your button maker in to Tecre if…
- The paint is chipping. While we admit the newly painted black button maker is quite handsome, the truth is that your labor of love will begin to show over time. You may notice paint chips or what look to be scrapes under the rotating dies. Let these markings give your button maker character. They will tell the story of all the buttons made with your button maker.
- The dies are stuck together. If your button maker looks like the one seen here, it is a typical machine jam! These can feel impossible to relieve, but the truth is if you sent your button maker to Tecre in a jammed state, we follow these very steps.
- The turntable is not rotating (especially common in new button makers). When a new button maker is removed from the box, grease under the table may prevent the turntable from rotating. You may need to give it a sharp blow with the palm of your hand to break the suction. Remember never to bang on the dies with metal tools.
Over time, the replacement of items such as springs and bolts can be necessary. For these items and all other repair inquiries, please be sure to call Tecre first to discuss the necessity of returning the button maker for repair. If deemed necessary, Tecre will send you an RMA form for you to include in the box. This form will help us identify the button maker when it is returned to us.
In an effort to reduce symptoms of separation anxiety between you and your button maker, Tecre will take initiative to have it returned to you promptly and get you back on your button making way!
Sign up for Tecre’s blog updates to be sent directly to your email!
I didn’t know you guys repaired them like that! that’s awesome to know. 🙂
Yes, of course! Repair costs are often minimal pending no major damages to the dies!
What would be the cost to ship a model 225 button maker to you and back from Florida?
Hi Chris! Thanks for your inquiry! Send your zipcode to tecresalesteam@tecre.com and we will get that answer for you right away! Thank you!
I don’t own a machine yet. This post showed up in my facebook newsfeed. Beyond being creepy that facebook knows I’ve visited your website multiple times, it makes the decision about which machine to buy much easier.
Good to know you offer repair services.
Hi Toni! We aren’t currently doing any facebook advertising so while we may not understand how the post found you, I am glad it did!
How many buttons can a Tecre model 225 button maker make before it needs to have its dies replaced?
Thank you for your message! It is not common for dies to ever need to be replaced on a Tecre Button Maker (which is good news, the dies are the most costly pieces). At times, springs and bolts may need to be replaced but even that can happen after thousands, sometimes tens of thousands of buttons. We see people make buttons for many, many years at times before requiring any maintenance on the machine. To help keep the button maker working properly, see the tips here at https://www.tecre.com/blog/2014/06/basic-maintenance-for-your-tecre-button-maker-machine/
I’ve made almost 20,000 Trump buttons on mine without incident.
P.S. All of these buttons were given away for free.
That’s an impressive amount of campaign buttons!
I bought a couple of Tecre presses second-hand and they just don’t *feel* like the one I bought new. The dies don’t spin as fast/freely and the press arm doesn’t feel as good on the last little bit of pressing. I’ve tried lightly greasing the bottom of the die plate, and that helped a little…. but it’s nowhere near as smooth as my newer press. Do you guys offer a tune up service for older machines?
Yes! You may call Tecre for details but we are happy to service any Tecre machines, no matter the source. Costs for tune-ups are minimal so please call for more information on how you can go about sending the machine in and if it is necessary. Thank you!
I am really impressed with my button press so far. My major complaint is how bad the handle has chipped and I have only made about 20 buttons. Got it a week ago. I would expect that after paying so much money, it would have a much higher quality finish. Now i have paint chips all over my craft table. Hope it holds up.
Thank you for your comment, Tiffany! Chipping of the paint can be expected in the areas that see the most wear on the machine. It will wear off to the steel frame in a few places and the paint chipping will cease. We are sorry this has been an inconvenience and it might be worth noting that the paint is just for aesthetics of the machine. Tecre’s objective is to produce a machine that will last, and that is the kind of quality you can expect as you will see that as it can pump out 1000s of buttons. For the best maintenance tips on keeping the machine well lubricated and long-lasting, see here: https://www.tecre.com/blog/2014/06/basic-maintenance-for-your-tecre-button-maker-machine/
Thank you!
Another link that may be helpful:
https://www.tecre.com/blog/2014/06/basic-maintenance-for-your-tecre-button-maker-machine/
My buttons aren’t crimping properly. The plastic is consistently loose on the same small section of the button edges. Is there an adjustment that needs to be made on the machine or with the user?
Thanks,
B Rose.
Hello! Here is a link to a blog post that may be of some assistance.https://www.tecre.com/blog/2019/03/mylar-not-crimping-tightly-or-popping-out/
If you still need help, please call us at (920)922-9168. We’d love to help you out!