Figure of 8 fasteners

[edmund]

I'm trying to find somewhere that supplies figure of 8 fasteners for table/desk tops in the UK but I've drawn a blank. Can anyone help?
I usually make my own buttons but I don't think I'll have enough access to use them for my current project. If anyone has any other suggestions for fasteners I'd be grateful for your thoughts. Thanks, E

 

[jasonB]

No figure 8s but Isaac Lorddo flat stretcher plates that allow for wood movement items 316 & 317.

Not too hard to make your own from a strip of brass, just needs a file & drill.

Jason

 

[edmund]

Thanks Jason! Hadn't occurred to me to make them :roll:

I was wondering how strong figure-8 fasteners actually are? I would think they are nowhere near as strong as wooden buttons or the stretcher plates. Are they really just to 'tack' the top onto a carcass? The pedestal desk I'm making will be pretty heavy once its assembled and I'm not convinced brass figure 8 would be strong enough to be able to move the desk by lifting it by its top. Would buttons be the traditional method of attachment? Any thoughts??? Thanks, E

 

[jasonB]

The off the shelf figure eight would be a bit flimsy but if you made your own from say 1/8 x 1/2" brass they should stand the loads of the table being lifted by the top etc.

Should be able to get the brass from Turtles basement if not I can give you links to a few sites, then again one of the old boys in turtles will probably have a box of figure 8s tucked away at the back of a dusty shelf :wink:

Jason

 

[edmund]

Thanks Jason! Ironically I realised that I had some strips of brass from Turtles which I bought for another project but didn't use . They are only 1/16" thick - I don't think they had any thicker, but I'll pop in there and have another poke round.

 

[David.Taylor]

I'm trying to find somewhere that supplies figure of 8 fasteners for table/desk tops in the UK but I've drawn a blank. Can anyone help?
I usually make my own buttons but I don't think I'll have enough access to use them for my current project. If anyone has any other suggestions for fasteners I'd be grateful for your thoughts. Thanks, E

Does this help

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Pack-Figure-Steel-Desk-Fastener/dp/B07QPT53W4

 

[Jacob]

I thought these looked good. A sheet metal "button" Rok Hardware 14 Gauge Table Top Fasteners with Screws, Steel, 20 Pack ROKSTBFAST – Sellite Design
Figure of eight fasteners for sale all over the place if you google
Also try "table top fasteners"

 

[MikeK]

I hope Edmund was able to find the fasteners in the nearly five years since he originally asked.

 

[Cabinetman]

I thought these looked good. A sheet metal "button" Rok Hardware 14 Gauge Table Top Fasteners with Screws, Steel, 20 Pack ROKSTBFAST – Sellite Design
Figure of eight fasteners for sale all over the place if you google

They do look good and strong Jacob, but did you see how many you get for 25 quid? 20! Am I getting old?

 

[Cabinetman]

I hope Edmund was able to find the fasteners in the nearly five years since he originally asked.

Hahaha it’s actually 15 years!

 

[MikeK]

Hahaha it’s actually 15 years!

I hope he's still not looking for them.