I bought a cheaper version, it took me an hour to put it together and it never worked- returned it and paid $50 more for this guy. Easy instructions and installation- once I got the hang of it I whipped out 30 buttons in under an hour- design, print, cut and all. Highly recommendThis was purchased as a gift for my wife and she's completely happy with it. The machine itself is a tank...all parts seem heavy duty and I can't imagine doing any kind of damage to it. The process to build the buttons is pretty straightforward though we did have to refer to the instructions several times.The only problem I have with this order was the included button making supplies. The circle cutter is like a 5 cent piece of junk and I'm not real impressed with the plastic button bakings. They just make the buttons feel a little cheap once they are done. If I was making this purchase again, I think I would buy the machine as a stand alone item and then order the supplies separately and get the metal ones.This button press is fantastic. I know that a lot of button presses get mixed reviews but I thought I'd break down the possible confusion someone might have in regards to using and pressing the badges. It's a simple piece of machinery, so it's really easy to figure out and also comes with a sheet of instructions on set up and basic use. The style of button press is similar to the Neil Enterprises brand button machine, but lighter and much more affordable.First of all, the machine doesn't require a lot of force to press. From the videos I keep seeing of people using them and having defect badges, it all seems to be that people are using too much or too little force. It's important to note the die molds are a certain way when you press so you can get an idea of when the button is fully pressed and ready.When you put the badge, design, and mylar on the first part of the mold, it has to fit and be pretty much flush against the inside. It can't be askew, the top of the badge has to sit in the center of the ring all the way flat. I had a single defect badge that I tried to press twice because it wasn't all the way in there the first time.The first time you press down, there is a gap on the top mold between the plate and the mold where the pins are sitting under the plate. This is as far as it's supposed to go down, it's just grabbing the badge, design, and plastic.The same thing applies to the backing. The backing has to be completely flat against the bottom, and if you're using the right size mold it will fit perfectly in the bottom. The bottom mold pin pushes the top mold slightly so that the pins in the top mold fit through the plate and when you press down, there should be absolutely NO GAP between the top mold and plate. If there is a slight gap, you haven't pressed all the way down. This results in the messy and loose plastic around the buttons from presses you see in other reviews.A few other things to note:- Paper weight matters! You can press up to a very light cardstock (about 50lb) but not heavy or scrapbooking cardstock. The best recommendation is to use regular copy paper (19-24lb) because it will press easier.- Make sure you only grabbed one piece of mylar. It's really thin, thinner than you might think.- This WON'T work with American button sizes. America uses imperial sizes, so the buttons are .03" too big. American buttons are 1.25" after pressing, these are 1.28" after pressing (58mm)Final verdict:This is super easy to use. The button backings are much higher quality than I initially anticipated and seem really sturdy. Also, you never really imagine just how much 1000 buttons are. It's a lot. It's probably over 2sq ft worth of unpressed buttons. It's really a great deal. On top of that, the molds are totally interchangeable! I'm really excited to get other size molds and buttons so I can make more products.The cutter they sent WILL NOT cut a circle small enough to match the size of the mylar included and required to make the 1 inch buttons.The cutter included is also a pain to use because it likes to slip after about 75% of the circle is cut, but I can work around that. I cannot work around the fact that the circles are too big to fit into the machine and I have the cutter set at the smallest setting. It is sad because it is only too big by about 2mm but that makes all the difference when the paper moves and now your button is off center or all that paper won't fit into the mold.If you can source a 35mm paper punch, this would be great, but I am also having a hard time finding one of those. And since this kit was advertised as everything you need to make buttons, I can't give it a better rating because basically it is unusable for me until I can get a cutter for the right size.The item was easy to build, even though it was a bit troublesome to make it work at the beginning, ended up working great. However I do recommend to make the images bigger than 1.25in. As it does not cover the whole button at the moment of making it.I bought this machine set for my daughter and she loves it! Easy for her to useOverall, I am satisfied with this button maker. It has its quirks and has to be lined up in a certain way to make the buttons correctly, but it does work. My sister and I have successfully make like 200 buttons with it.This button maker works great! It had some bad reviews so I was a little worried to order it. Then I read a couple of the reviews that talked about if the buttons where not coming out right it’s operator error. And they are correct! Make sure to follow the instructions and watch the video on how to set up the button maker correctly. There is a review saying the button maker don’t work and posted a video - he did not set up the button maker right that’s why he is having issues. - You need the 1st round part to have a “gap” when you pull the lever and the 2nd round part to have “no gap” when you pull down on the lever- it’s all in the instructions. When you go to make the buttons just use regular copy paper for your design- it’s the perfect thickness. And make sure you only have 1 PC of clear Film. It is super thin I thought I only had 1 PC then I rubbed them together with my fingers and I had 3! If you have extra film or thicker paper the button maker won’t be able to crimp everything down right. I set up my button maker per the instructions. Then I made my 1st button it came out perfect and so have all the rest I have made. I have not had one bad button. Just take your time setting up and when you make The 1st few Buttons and they will be perfect. I love this thing. The circle cutter feels a little cheap but I got it to work no issues, however I have a circuit machine to cut out my designs- which much quicker.I definitely agree with some of the reviews, this machine works, but only when everything is done perfectly and you need to oush so hard. My son used on in the hospital, so I got him this for Christmas, he can't use it alone because you need so much force, and for everything to be done so perfectly...even then, they sometimes don't work properly. Out of the 500 buttons, I feel like we will be lucky to get 300 that worked. I also don't like the plastic backs, I didn't think this was q big deal when ordering, but when I decided to buy some metal backs, I saw in the comments that they wouldn't work with this button maker. Disappointed all around.I love this thing! I've used it for hundreds of buttons with no issues.The paper cutter sucks though so get a big hole punch, it makes it super easy! I use a 1-1/2 hole punch for the 1-1/4 buttons, it works wonders. See my picturesHere's some things I've noticed of why people are having issues: 1: They tighten the back bolts to much and crack the frame of the press. 2: They are doubling up on the plastic film. These easily stick together and if you accidently add 2 or more to the same button it wont bond right and you'll have issues. 3: It doesnt take much force to use so be careful!It is very well respected product. Everthing was packaged in ziplock bags. The only thing was parts list says it comes with 2 sets of stop pins and i only got one set. Very well made. This seller was able to sell 10 dollars cheaper than original company. Very happy about that. And was very happy that it comes with button pieces. Overall i am very happy with this purchase from this seller.I got this two months ago, and I’ve punched like 30 buttons. It’s been a lot of fun and I haven’t had any trouble, until the other day. I got my first online order, and as I was trying to make their buttons, the top mould (the part that comes down) just fell out. I put it back the best I could, but something isn’t right and I can’t make ANY buttons no matter how much force my husband and I use.I emailed customer service and haven’t heard back. Their telephone hours are 9pm-5am EST Monday-Friday, which is kind of ridiculous.So when it works it’s great, but right now I’m a sitting duck. I wouldn’t expect anything to disassemble or fall apart this soon even though I’ve been following directions to the letter.I would have given it a higher rating but the instructions included information - specifically indicated that an extra item was needed to put the machine together. This caused great confusion. When the company changed the machine and this item was not needed they should have changed the directions to put it together.