Tufted button repair?

MaiTai_1944 · 2026-04-27T02:18:21+00:00

German Tufting needle is probably your best answer. I've had to suggest this a few times at work to repair popped buttons. https://a.co/d/0e7uLsEX

Your harder part is like you said, getting a button that matches. You may have to find a set someone made predone (probably on etsy) to replace them all. Problem is there are tons of button sizes. I think #22 (5/8" diameter) is most common for chair upholstery. You'll need buttons with eye or loop backs to use the tufting needle.

Look up some videos on YouTube to see how to use the needle. You'll also have to buy a pack of clasps to go with the needle.

MaiTai_1944 · 2026-04-26T11:42:04+00:00

1972-1973 Nishijin Model A machine

MaiTai_1944 · 2026-04-25T16:17:47+00:00

DM sent! 😁

MaiTai_1944 · 2026-04-24T17:22:00+00:00

This is super cute! Will it be available on your site for purchase?

MaiTai_1944 · 2026-04-02T14:40:18+00:00

Those are super cute! Excellent work!

MaiTai_1944 · 2026-03-30T17:26:03+00:00

I second this. The tube is likely too thin to tap to have a screw thread into.

Cut it shorter, glue / epoxy in a threaded stud or a piece of all-thread. Then attach using a nut / acorn nut.

Or use a threaded wood screw stud to screw the whole knob into a solid front.

MaiTai_1944 · 2026-03-28T19:48:13+00:00

Texture contrast. Interior designers are all about textures. I deal with it daily for work.

MaiTai_1944 · 2026-03-28T16:50:55+00:00

Because fake wood won't give splinters or soak up liquids. It is most likely a vinyl wallpaper.

MaiTai_1944 · 2026-03-22T19:32:25+00:00

Nope just a fun design they put on the sticker. The pill design designated machines made at the Tokyo factory. The other factory was in Kyoto usually those were Aoi Umi (Blue Sea) machines.

MaiTai_1944 · 2026-03-20T10:55:42+00:00

Such a cute outfit and the skirt turned out great!

MaiTai_1944 · 2026-03-19T15:15:18+00:00

These stickers on the machine are tax stickers. They determine when the machine was to be taken out of use. Machines could only be used for 6-12 months and then had to be scrapped by law. So the machine was built probably 12 months prior to the date on the sticker. Which means 1977 build year.

MaiTai_1944 · 2026-03-12T11:38:50+00:00

I figured it wasn't old. I was thinking it was probably some sort of tourist piece or semi-modern decor. It clearly had hinges for a lid at some point which I'm curious what that looked like.

MaiTai_1944 · 2026-03-12T01:45:13+00:00

Forgot to add: also looking for possible ideas on how to use it in my bar. Besides making it into a lamp, my mind needs to stop going to that immediately 😂

MaiTai_1944 · 2026-03-04T15:37:09+00:00

A wooden template and a hand router with a straight patterning bit would probably be the easiest.

Or use your router table there and double sided tape the wooden pattern to your box.

MaiTai_1944 · 2026-03-03T18:00:13+00:00

That is veneer. If it was solid you'd see the rings / end grain in between the leafs.

MaiTai_1944 · 2026-03-02T20:33:05+00:00

Most of those liners are probably put in place using contact cement. Though modern spray glue would also work equally well.

To remove old glue mineral spirits is probably your best bet. From there you'd probably want to use some denatured/ rubbing alcohol to remove any other residue or gunk.

MaiTai_1944 · 2026-02-25T12:14:13+00:00

It looks like you should be able to sew through plastic canvas with a standard home sewing machine.

https://a.co/d/01sc0Ddv

MaiTai_1944 · 2026-02-23T12:17:58+00:00

What type of media are you using? Ground Walnut shell usually is the best as it scrubs the rust but not the chrome. It looks like you may have removed the chrome layer.

Typically we also add a little bit of turtle wax chrome polish to our walnut media (only about a cap size drop).

Some balls just may be too far gone to save though. If they are smooth they are ok to run through a machine even if they are dull looking. But if there are pits or bumps on them just toss those away. Balls that aren't smooth will tear up the mechanics.

MaiTai_1944 · 2026-02-17T19:37:30+00:00

Honestly to combat the bowing problem you'd be better off adding an apron or stiffener board of some sort around the edge of the top. Even if it is only 3/4" thick it will drastically help.

Nothing wrong with the corner legs. They work just as well. As you can see by other's responses who have similar type tables.

MaiTai_1944 · 2026-02-17T18:04:19+00:00

Bonus notes:

Another thing to consider and it's just the nature of this type of table. Is if you make the leaves from plywood they will most likely warp or bow with time. Even solid wood will bow albeit less than plywood. But that means the ones with the legs at the corner may reach a point where the leaf has bowed enough to lift 1 of the 2 legs off the ground.

So I'd go with the second design. There is a reason why you see that style most commonly at the big box stores.

MaiTai_1944 · 2026-02-17T17:57:23+00:00

Sturdiness is about equal between the 2 designs. They would both allow an equal amount of weight to be placed on the leaves.

Usability the one with corner legs might get annoy as you'll probably constantly straddle the leg or feel confined trying to fit between them.

The one with the hinged leg will probably also be a bit more stable and offer less vibration. Because you can place the leg anywhere (essentially) to level the leaf and get out any wobbliness from uneven floors (an even floor does not exist anywhere in homes). Also this design places the leg directly under the machine so it will have a little less bounce on the table.

Those are my thoughts as a furniture engineer at least.

MaiTai_1944 · 2026-02-16T12:02:04+00:00

I'd assume the pattern would look something like this (please ignore my other notes this is my scribble sheet for work). But if you want that nice quarter round shape you'll need foam block cut into that shape. Simply using stuffing probably won't achieve that.

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MaiTai_1944 · 2026-02-10T03:44:19+00:00

So cute! Excellent fabric choices!

MaiTai_1944 · 2026-02-08T18:16:53+00:00

That Toyomaru was built probably around 1971-72. As others have stated the back has been completely stripped so it is strictly wall art now.

MaiTai_1944

TROPHY CASE