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Does anyone out there have any problems using the SU rhinestone brads? I have trouble getting all sizes of the brads to lay flat. Anyone else have the same issues?
I haven't tried the SU brads but whenever I use any brads I splay out the pieces on the back and then place the card face down on my desk and flatten out pressing further with my metal ruler. This ensures they are sitting as flat as can be, just pushing with your finger isn't enough.
I'm not sure if this is what you are asking.
You know, I do that for all other brads. However, these SU rhinestone brads are different. I did this with these and I ended up tearing paper. No one else would notice, but I knew it had torn. I want to avoid this in the future. I have even cut off the the back side and used glue dots. Knowing they werent meant to be done this way, I was hoping someone else knew anything about these. Thank you for your suggestion.
The brads do sit up higher than regular brads. There are a couple of things you can try. One is to punch a bigger than normal hole for the brad. I find the 1/8" hole punch works pretty well. The other thing you can try is to use a pair of tweezers to push the prongs up closer to the back of the brad. HTH!
I have pretty strong finger nails so I take my thumb nails and place them on the side of each prong and push in to form a T. Slow steady pressure from each side will get the trick done, and because I'm not using a tool I feel like I have more control.
__________________ Kathryn
Do you know if there's a 12-step program for stamping? No, seriously, is there??
I know, I have this problem as well! I actually lightly hammer mine down! LOL I put a little padding over it and knock it a few times. Does the trick for me!
I use my small beading pliers and lightly sqeeze the edges into a T shape as noted above. Then when I attach them, I use a stamp block to press them flat. It works most of the time for me. Some are stiffer than others though.
__________________ Christine (my small gallery) see you on the flip side of the inkpad
There are 2 tricks I do to help keep them as flat as possible. I've got detailed instructions and pictures HERE, but I'll sum it up for you:
Using some small jewelry pliers, clamp the brad prongs right under the base of the crystal and turn it upside down and push down on a hard surface. This brings your prongs close to the underside of the crystal. Then, punch your hole in your CS and insert the brad, flatten the prongs. Turn your project right side up and using something hard, like the end of the cap of a 2-way glue pen, push the brad down again from the top.
They are pretty thick brads, so even if they are sitting flat on the project, the decorative part still protrudes up.
I have had the same problem actually. I used the jewel brads for the first time in a card a couple of days ago and no matter what I do, one still won't sit flat. I haven't had this problem with other brads (such as Making memories)and was disappointed to be honest as I used a brad on each of 4 corners and the card just isn't right.
They are alot more expensive than other similar items and hope as I buy more SU items, the quality improves, though the stamps are great!
I can't speak for the SU brads but I discovered that with the Provocraft Silent Setter (the one with the mushroomshaped applicator) I could put the brad in, flip the piece over on a thin sponge pad and tap it a couple of times with the handle of the SS. The legs of the brad go flat and the brad doesn't take any damage. I've been very happy with the results. The brads are tight, there's no torn paper and the brad isn't damaged.
I am comforted to know that I am not the only one who has to put in some extra work to get them to lay flat. By doing it the traditional way of bending them, they almost always come out crooked. They're so pretty, it's worth the effort, but I do hope there is some work done on the manufacturer side to improve them, though!
They are soooo pretty, aren't they? I know if I send someone a card with a rhinestone brad on it they always comment on it. They are worth the extra work. I also hope they make them a little easier to put on.
WOW....everyone thank you SO much. I am so glad I am not the only one that with this same issue. Everyone's suggestions are simply GREAT. Thank you all so much. JudyOR
I believe the SU brads prongs are attached at the head of the brad, where other brads attach either from the bottom of the brad, or at worse at the bottom side of the brad. Where SU has the prongs attached at the top and sides of the brad.
The brad design is the worse - I don't have the same problem with MM jewel brads.
I just got my first container of them and had the same problem of them not lying flat. Makes a little problem with the mail, too. Too bad SU didn't work this glitch out before they contracted them.
I was frustrated with them at first too now before I set them i flip them over and press each prong towards the center with my stylus or paper peircer. I will have to try the plyers though, that sounds easier!
I am pleased I was not the only one with this problem. Your right, other brads are attached at the centerk, where the SU brads attach at the sides. Thank you everyone for the GREAT advise. JudyOR
I don't have the SU brads, but the big Bazzill Pearl brads have the prongs on the sides and I use the 1/16 hole punch to put tiny holes about half an inch apart, insert the brad prongs and fold them over each other at the back. If the SU ones are like these, it works really nice to make them flat HTH
well, you're never going to get them to really be flat- they're just bulky. The fact that the prongs on the back are attached at the edges and not the center like other brads makes it difficult as well- you can't completely flatten them out without tearing the hole. They're super cute, but a real pain IMO.
If you work at it with your hands like others have said, you can at least get it to lie straight, which is good enough for me!
I've had the same problem, glad I'm not the only one having to go to extreme measures to get them to lay flat. I'm going to try some of your suggestions and see which works best for me. Thanks for the help!
Barbdesigns
SU Rhinestone Brads
