What would be the best material/method for making buttons around 3 mm? I'd prefer not to use plastic.

>>2597603 (OP)

Brass rod, saw, rock tumbler, and brass lacquer.

I tried doing something similar to this with a sheet of copper (actually just a penny i flattened on the railroad several times) and i hit a snag when it came to punching in the holes. I dont know what tool would be strong enough at that level of precision.

>>2597603 (OP)

Just look for 3mm mother of pearl buttons online or check grandma's button tin

3mm is small as fuck, what are you making, doll clothes?

>>2597603 (OP)

bone or ivory would be good

> punch

Pcb drills are cheap. Carbide.

Seconding the suggestion to use an organic material. In addition to the above, you could look into cork and other wood-like materials. Then just apply a lot of patience to carve out the buttons with a pin.



For an inorganic material, use a very soft metal like lead or maybe gallium alloy. Heat the metal and pin up until you can force your way through, deforming the metal. Don't melt it, since the surface tension will probably pull it up into a bead when it's that small (but you may want to try something like that form the button shape as a whole, before you pierce it).

grow your nails out and make them from you nails

>>2597603 (OP)

What about wood? Easy to find free like branches, easy to carve and drill out holes, sand and seal.

>>2597603 (OP)

Bone

Horn was the historical precursor to modern plasics.

>>2597603 (OP)

You should try casein plastic and report back here



https://www.realmilkpaint.com/blog/tips/history-of-casein-plastic/



I've wanted to try this since forever but haven't got around to it

yes, thats why i used that image

I got some decent results doing this but making the holes is the hardest part

Do you have a Dremel tool, with small bits? I use that to drill small holes in shells, for jewelry making.

enamel
