Hello!

Doing some research before I start modeling Colonial Marine Dress Blues buttons for the Dress Blues tunic.

I've got the info on how many buttons and what the diameters are, but I can't find out if the "loops" on the backs run Vertical or Horizontal?

Example:



Thanks!

*Edit*

Also, what is the length and diameter of the threaded post on the visor chin strap buttons? As well as the diameter of the button itself. I have read 5/8 " as well but want to be sure.



Thanks again!

_________________
Lt. Melissa L. Klassen, ALG
AL Colonial Admin. - Executive Officer (XO) -- 2021-2022
RCCM | Royal Canadian Colonial Marines - Commanding Officer (CO) -- 2021-2022

Read the AL Charter Rules & Regulations: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1i3gd9QUyIqI_6rfk8kpxspbKU-JT4MBAjLPxfCkvGJ8

Canadian Forces buttons are horizontal, so, I'd say horizontal.

They're horizontal

_________________
Cpl Damon "Bombs Away" LeMay
-"Feelin' good's good enough"

Ok, so I can make the UACM buttons and the USCM buttons horizontal

Now, the UK?


Just so you all know, there will hopefully be 6 large buttons (1" diameter) and 14 small buttons (5/8 " diameter). I know that usually it is only 12 small buttons but so e sets I've seen come with 2 extras. This was for the American USMC Dress Blues Tunic. I may even be able to include the chin strap buttons in one file as well, but don't know for sure.
Thanks for the answers so far!

_________________
Lt. Melissa L. Klassen, ALG
AL Colonial Admin. - Executive Officer (XO) -- 2021-2022
RCCM | Royal Canadian Colonial Marines - Commanding Officer (CO) -- 2021-2022

Read the AL Charter Rules & Regulations: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1i3gd9QUyIqI_6rfk8kpxspbKU-JT4MBAjLPxfCkvGJ8

I realized after I posted the button suggestion that I have my Dress Blue tunic here with me, so I thought these pics might be helpful. I measured them with calipers and have noted the exact measurements in millimeters below.

Btw, the smaller buttons have vertical loops on the backs, only the large ones are horizontal, but you can see for yourself in the pics. I measured the buttonholes and included pics of those as well.

Also, if it wouldn't be too difficult to do, I think it would really make the buttons look sharp if the circular bezel around the delta emblem were included. I'm planning to do some simple mechanical drawings over the weekend on calibrated graph paper to give a better idea of the shapes and dimensions; overhead, underside, and side views. If that would be helpful I'll post them here for you.

Large button:


Buttonhole, horizontal:


Small button:


Buttonhole, vertical:


Small button - underside & vertical loop:


Large button - underside & horizontal loop:


Tunic collar w/USCM delta badge & epaulette buttons:


Sleeve cuff buttons:

_________________
GySgt Gustafson, Dru R.
Callsign: Mud Shark
A06/TQ0.0.32122E1

Here are some similar sized buttons I was planning to use to replace the EGA buttons.





Here are the dimensions of the original EGA buttons.
------------------------------------------------------------

Large tunic buttons:

Outer diameter (including bezel) - 30 mm
Inner diameter (delta emblem) - 27 mm

Height / thickness (excluding loop) - 7 mm

------------------------------------------------------------
Small tunic buttons:

Outer diameter - 16 mm
Inner diameter - 15 mm

Height (excl. loop) - 4.5 mm

_________________
GySgt Gustafson, Dru R.
Callsign: Mud Shark
A06/TQ0.0.32122E1

Perfect, Thanks Dru!! I will likely start today, I will be sure to keep everyone updated here in this post These measurements and photos will help immensely! If you can, keep them coming

_________________
Lt. Melissa L. Klassen, ALG
AL Colonial Admin. - Executive Officer (XO) -- 2021-2022
RCCM | Royal Canadian Colonial Marines - Commanding Officer (CO) -- 2021-2022

Read the AL Charter Rules & Regulations: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1i3gd9QUyIqI_6rfk8kpxspbKU-JT4MBAjLPxfCkvGJ8

So here is what they're looking like so far





I'm really hoping I can get them all in one file, Uploading to Shapeways now to check out pricings for Stainless Steel Gold Plate Glossy.

I haven't had this many objects in one file before, so we will see *fingers crossed!*


*Edit*

Umm... I hate Shapeways, they're so finicky...

It uploaded fine, but it is telling me that a set of buttons in Stainless Steel Gold Plate Glossy is $249.52 USD... Gonne do some research into how to cut out the ridiculousness, its something really simple I bet...

_________________
Lt. Melissa L. Klassen, ALG
AL Colonial Admin. - Executive Officer (XO) -- 2021-2022
RCCM | Royal Canadian Colonial Marines - Commanding Officer (CO) -- 2021-2022

Read the AL Charter Rules & Regulations: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1i3gd9QUyIqI_6rfk8kpxspbKU-JT4MBAjLPxfCkvGJ8

Nice work, Melissa. Liking the redesigned buttons a lot! Hope that price can be cut down to something more within reason. Don't know how many orders you'd get for a complete set of buttons, but I imagine costs would hopefully come down as the number of orders increased.

Anyway, thanks for taking the time to do the workups and for looking into potential future production of the buttons. It looks to me like you've got things pretty well underway already as far as design goes, but I'll go ahead and work up some mechanical drawings of the original EGA button dimensions on graph paper for your reference. Please stand by.

_________________
GySgt Gustafson, Dru R.
Callsign: Mud Shark
A06/TQ0.0.32122E1

Your redesigned buttons look geat!

Perhaps you could also make them for the sidearms as shown in the Game and some pictures.

-Frank

_________________
Sgt. Frank Peters 'reload' Smartgun Operator
A03/TQ3.0.12136E1 "It will be no picknick!"
AL Colonial Admin. - Sergeant at Arms (SgtA) -- 2020-2022
GERCM - Executive Officer (XO)
UKCM Foreign Legion: The Deviant Dragoons

Just wanted to bump this with a proposal

Since setting these up through Shapeways would be extremely costly, I am considering buying one large button and one small button prototypes and sending them to someone who would be willing to do moulding and casting in "white metal" or something similar. We could be partners

PM me if anyone is interested in undertaking this and I will get started on the UKCM and UACM buttons as well

Also here is a more current shot of how the underside looks now

_________________
Lt. Melissa L. Klassen, ALG
AL Colonial Admin. - Executive Officer (XO) -- 2021-2022
RCCM | Royal Canadian Colonial Marines - Commanding Officer (CO) -- 2021-2022

Read the AL Charter Rules & Regulations: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1i3gd9QUyIqI_6rfk8kpxspbKU-JT4MBAjLPxfCkvGJ8

Sounds like a great idea, Melissa! I still haven't finished the drawings, been too busy with more immediate matters lately, but will still post or PM them to you when ready.

I used to do lost wax casting in precious metals and have been wanting to get into pressure casting with white metal for a long time, but don't have the space or equipment now. Looking for a white metal casting service sounds like the best way to proceed. Please post any new info here to keep all interested parties updated. Thanks!

_________________
GySgt Gustafson, Dru R.
Callsign: Mud Shark
A06/TQ0.0.32122E1

Updates!

Made some Chinstrap buttons that look the same as the tunic buttons

USCM Delta Chinstrap Buttons


UACM Delta Chinstrap Buttons


UKCM Delta Chinstrap Buttons



All buttons are 16mm in diameter (5/8ths of an inch)

Threaded posts are 3mm in diameter with thread and 8mm long

I figured out the size of the post by taking a photo of some chinstrap buttons and resizing it until one button in diameter was 16mm, then I measured the post which told me the measurements.

Now since I don't have a cover to try these on, I'm looking for someone who would be willing to order a set at cost

For steel, it is anywhere from $12.00 - $18.00 depending on finish. But Black Strong and Flexible (A nylon based plastic) is sitting just under $4.00

Let me know if you're interested and I will pick a person if there is more than one willing with an ALIENS trivia question and I will set up a private link for you to order at cost

_________________
Lt. Melissa L. Klassen, ALG
AL Colonial Admin. - Executive Officer (XO) -- 2021-2022
RCCM | Royal Canadian Colonial Marines - Commanding Officer (CO) -- 2021-2022

Read the AL Charter Rules & Regulations: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1i3gd9QUyIqI_6rfk8kpxspbKU-JT4MBAjLPxfCkvGJ8

The chin strap buttons look great! I'm definitely interested, and if it comes to answering an Aliens trivia question, then fire away... I can handle myself!

Getting a set at cost would be nice, but one way or another I'd still want a set of those black chin strap buttons on my Service C barrack cover for color guard duty at D-Con this summer.

Once the ball gets rolling, assuming enough interest, we might look into having gold plated metal buttons for the Dress Blue uniform.

_________________
GySgt Gustafson, Dru R.
Callsign: Mud Shark
A06/TQ0.0.32122E1

Melissa if I can suggest , shapeways is great but I have had a few highly detailed parts made in those suggestive high resolution frost material and its absolutely a shocking finish!
I also have used their black and stainless steel finish.
The frost material is very rough , maybe give the ceramic finish a try.
As I see a lot of detail in those buttons , the basic materials are just not cut out for that, especially if you want them as masters.

Marcel

Your chin strap buttons look great!
I'm definitely interested in USCM and UKCM sets.

Any way ask your trivia qestion open and let see who knows the answer.

If shapeways has issues or details get lost let me give it a try.

Frank

_________________
Sgt. Frank Peters 'reload' Smartgun Operator
A03/TQ3.0.12136E1 "It will be no picknick!"
AL Colonial Admin. - Sergeant at Arms (SgtA) -- 2020-2022
GERCM - Executive Officer (XO)
UKCM Foreign Legion: The Deviant Dragoons

Thanks Marcel for the feedback

I have another plan for the master copies. I will be ordering masters through a different site with different materials

For now I'd just like to test the functionality of the threaded post to see if I got them the right size.

Frank and Dru, since you two are the only two that has stepped up, I will just let you both order the chinstrap buttons to test fitting.

I will send you guys links through PM, once I get notifications that there were 2 sales I will close them. Just so you guys know I'm not making any money on these, there is no mark up, I'd feel awful if they weren't satisfactory and I got paid!

PMs inbound!

_________________
Lt. Melissa L. Klassen, ALG
AL Colonial Admin. - Executive Officer (XO) -- 2021-2022
RCCM | Royal Canadian Colonial Marines - Commanding Officer (CO) -- 2021-2022

Read the AL Charter Rules & Regulations: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1i3gd9QUyIqI_6rfk8kpxspbKU-JT4MBAjLPxfCkvGJ8

PM replied.
Thanks Melissa.

Frank

_________________
Sgt. Frank Peters 'reload' Smartgun Operator
A03/TQ3.0.12136E1 "It will be no picknick!"
AL Colonial Admin. - Sergeant at Arms (SgtA) -- 2020-2022
GERCM - Executive Officer (XO)
UKCM Foreign Legion: The Deviant Dragoons