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Poker Chip

1 (6.7%)

Standard Imperial Style Button

3 (20%)

Plastic Lid

1 (6.7%)

Whatever comes with the top

5 (33.3%)

Some makeshift plastic tool (Cut up credit cards, pieces of sheet plastic)

1 (6.7%)

Other

4 (26.7%)

Total Members Voted: 15

Voting closed: October 11, 2016, 06:28:28 PM

[113]

Hello Everyone,

Just a quick question, since I have noticed that some of the strings and buttons that come with spintops seem a little off, I would like to know  for reference.

What kind of button do you prefer? What  kind do you use?

I have been considering using poker chips as buttons. Are the disadvantages of this basically, that it is thick and heavy?

Please let me know your thoughts!

113

[studio42]

I've used various things. First, I prefer the button it came with. However I had some tops NOT come with strings, or some without buttons(and crappy strings).

I have a small supply of I think they are 1" wood beads with small holes I bought a while ago for a different project. I only needed 1 for the project, leaving me the rest for "whatever", or around 20 or more. With the 2 "Daiso Japan" tops, I ended up with crappy strings and no buttons. I ended up going to Michael's and getting the 1.5" wood discs and drilling holes into a small quantity. so I would have extra.

I also thing I have a few Duncan buttons. Some of my Strummol8's use what are basically poker chips(real deal, not the generic varierty). One of my Chico tops uses a real poker chip from a local game casino, while the other uses a wood disc.

For me, I don't have issue with the weight of any buttons. If it does the job, I'm good. Maybe when I get better it will make a difference.

[Jack]

heavy buttons were conceived by the devil himself.................................there........i said it @-@
i am not a fan sir i am not a fan  @-@

[jmadrigal]

heavy buttons were conceived by the devil himself.................................there........i said it @-@
i am not a fan sir i am not a fan  @-@

Word

[ta0]

Although the Duncan buttons are probably the best made, I like the (old?) Spintastics buttons where I can just change strings without having to untie the knot and thread a hole.

One day I need to make a gallery of the buttons that come with Mexican tops (mariposas = butterflies): there is such a large variety of designs!

[Shootist]

Hand made JohnM. HDPE Buttons or LarryD Buttons are very nice.

[Mark Magyar]

Duncan , Spintastics , and Mexican top (mariposas = butterflies).
Butterflies. I've even made a few butterflies out of plastic bottle lids.

I also found this early post of me asking about buttons....
http://www.ta0.com/forum/index.php/topic,1220.msg12141.html#msg12141

[jim in paris]

 flattened beer caps mostly
Larry's special buttons made of fruit stones
cut off plastic buttons of various shapes

many buttons are too heavy

jim

[Watts' Tops]

It depends on the size of top.  With the Watts' Top I like using no button at all.  Just a knot placed inside my hand and the rope wrap over my ring finger.  That way the rope is used on either end and lasts longer.  When selling the Watts' Top, I include a wood button however.
For smaller tops, the Duncan button works very well.

[113]

Dear Watt's Tops,

I could imagine that for such large tops, large diameter string is most likely used, and therefore, could see a simple not being the best form of "button". When I use fat strings for koma, I just use a knot at one end, and this works swell! Keep up the good work! Thank you!

Dear Mark Magyar,

Your string and your origami tops are beautiful!

So... I have heard several of you say that heavy buttons are bad. I have not noticed this at all, in fact I find I prefer something with a little more weight. My complaint with the "YYF Short Circuit" buttons, isn't actually based on it's weight. I find that such a wide button often gets in the way when I am trying to land  the top in my hand. Perhaps my grip makes weight not an issue. I do notice that my grip is very different from everyone else.  Can someone give me an idea of why heavy buttons are bad please? I am afraid I don't get it ..

Thank you all so much for your input!

113

[Kirk]

  Can someone give me an idea of why heavy buttons are bad please? I am afraid I don't get it ..

Most of us keep the button on the back side of the hand (not the palm side). So a heavy button will tend to pull the string so that the button is a few inches away from the hand.  Then a wide assortment on tangles happen.

[Renee]

One day I need to make a gallery of the buttons that come with Mexican tops (mariposas = butterflies): there is such a large variety of designs!

I'd be interested in seeing that gallery

[ta0]

One day I need to make a gallery of the buttons that come with Mexican tops (mariposas = butterflies): there is such a large variety of designs!

I'd be interested in seeing that gallery

One day . . . 

After moving, I have less than half of the collection on display. Most of the Mexican tops are still in boxes.

[paxl13]

I personally love the spintastic button BUT I'd love to have an alernative that works well that is small enough to fit into the s8 top & the QSH with the top opened!

I need to experiment with wood. I'm curious to see what I could come up with. I'd use a round piece of wood cut up into slice & sanded!

I need to concur tho, heavy button are evil. ( The awful poker chip that came with my s8's come to mind )

Anyway, interesting topic!

[butterfingers]

flattened beer caps mostly

I really like this idea - bottle caps! It's the first time I have heard anyone doing this. Is Jim a genius ? ....or do I need to get out more often?

Perhaps both.

[paxl13]

Wow, need to test that out!!!

[SpinLynn]

flattened beer caps mostly

Think of the variety! I'll try this when I can nab some caps sometime.