CAP Talk

General Discussion => Uniforms & Awards => Topic started by: GaryVC on August 09, 2017, 01:39:37 PM

Title: Attaching clasps to ribbons
Post by: GaryVC on August 09, 2017, 01:39:37 PM
I am looking for suggestions for attaching clasps to ribbons. If you use the wires in the back they are difficult to move so it appears glue may be the best option. What kind of glue can you suggest?
Title: Re: Attaching clasps to ribbons
Post by: AlphaSigOU on August 09, 2017, 01:43:17 PM
I recommend you read the pamphlet pinned at the top of this forum titled 'The Proper Wear of CAP Ribbons'. this has a tip on how to attach ribbon clasps.

Title: Re: Attaching clasps to ribbons
Post by: kwe1009 on August 09, 2017, 01:46:31 PM
I remove the wire from the back and glue them on using white school glue.  I also put something kind of heavy on it like a hammer head while the glue dries.  You only need a small amount of glue and it dries clear so you don't have to worry if any seeps out.  DO NOT USE SUPER GLUE!  That will stain the ribbon unless you are extremely careful.
Title: Re: Attaching clasps to ribbons
Post by: Eclipse on August 09, 2017, 02:28:33 PM
I thought glue was a good idea as well, at least 1/2 the time it will run through the grooves and ruin the ribbon.

Your best best is using the pins as they are designed, and buy extras.
Title: Re: Attaching clasps to ribbons
Post by: Alaric on August 09, 2017, 02:34:57 PM
As a senior member who is at the stage where my ribbons are not going to change much, I invest once every 18 months or so in the Ultrathins.  I may be a clasp or two behind on some things but at the end of the day I don't lose any sleep over it and they look very nice.
Title: Re: Attaching clasps to ribbons
Post by: winterg on August 09, 2017, 03:07:17 PM
Ultrathin will also update your rack if you send it in at a much cheaper cost than buying a new set when something changes.

Sent from my SM-N910V using Tapatalk

Title: Re: Attaching clasps to ribbons
Post by: kwe1009 on August 09, 2017, 03:14:08 PM
Quote from: Eclipse on August 09, 2017, 02:28:33 PM
I thought glue was a good idea as well, at least 1/2 the time it will run through the grooves and ruin the ribbon.

Your best best is using the pins as they are designed, and buy extras.

A small dab of white school glue applied with a toothpick is all that is needed to attach devices.  Since the glue dries clear it will not ruin the ribbon unless you use a lot.  I have been doing this for over 30 years so I have a ton of practice but it really is easy.  I do recommend that you practice on an unserviceable ribbon first just to be on the safe side.
Title: Re: Attaching clasps to ribbons
Post by: SarDragon on August 09, 2017, 09:51:07 PM
If memory serves me correctly, I got my first clasp in 1966, for my Red Service ribbon. At that time, we wore the laminated plastic ribbons, so glue wasn't really an option. We drilled holes in our ribbons, and stuck the wires through after trimming the length to fit properly behind the ribbon.

After we changed to cloth ribbons, I still used the wires. I also did my Navy ribbons that way, and over all that time, have only had a couple of failures, primarily from defective clasps.
Title: Re: Attaching clasps to ribbons
Post by: Mustang on August 10, 2017, 04:27:32 AM
Cutting the prongs off and gluing is the best means of adding devices to ribbons. I use a small drop of this stuff:

(http://create-with-uhu.com/fileadmin/extern/multi-purpose/htdocs/asset/common/img/locale/es/page/product-info/index/content/detail/item/2.png)

It is the perfect glue for this use. Dries completely clear, does not run, does not stain ribbons.

Do not use Krazy Glue or any other cyanoacrylate-base glue, even the gel variety.  Do not poke the prongs through the ribbon; you can always tell when someone has done this, their ribbons look like crap.
Title: Re: Attaching clasps to ribbons
Post by: Mitchell 1969 on August 10, 2017, 07:40:24 AM
Quote from: SarDragon on August 09, 2017, 09:51:07 PM
If memory serves me correctly, I got my first clasp in 1966, for my Red Service ribbon. At that time, we wore the laminated plastic ribbons, so glue wasn't really an option. We drilled holes in our ribbons, and stuck the wires through after trimming the length to fit properly behind the ribbon.

After we changed to cloth ribbons, I still used the wires. I also did my Navy ribbons that way, and over all that time, have only had a couple of failures, primarily from defective clasps.

It was more likely the Red TRAINING Ribbon. Cadets weren't eligible for the Red Service Ribbon back then.
Title: Re: Attaching clasps to ribbons
Post by: SarDragon on August 10, 2017, 08:21:40 AM
Certainly not the Red Training ribbon. New awards of those stopped in 1964, when the new program started.

After looking through the Morse tomes, I see that the Red Service ribbon (new version) was first authorized for cadets in 1970. So, my first clasp would still have been on that ribbon, in 1970, when I would have attached two. These days I wear a 45.
Title: Re: Attaching clasps to ribbons
Post by: Ozzy on August 10, 2017, 12:29:40 PM
If you are going to use the wire, use a pin or need to poke a hole and enlarge the hole in the ribbon first. That will help get the clasp in it easier and in the right position. I did it with the Army Honor Guard and I still do it today this way.
Title: Re: Attaching clasps to ribbons
Post by: GaryVC on September 08, 2017, 08:22:37 PM
Quote from: Mustang on August 10, 2017, 04:27:32 AM
Cutting the prongs off and gluing is the best means of adding devices to ribbons.

So how do you cut the prongs off so they are completely gone? Not left with little stubs.
Title: Re: Attaching clasps to ribbons
Post by: Eclipse on September 08, 2017, 08:57:33 PM
You need some really good, fine-wire snips, and maybe a file (gently).
Title: Re: Attaching clasps to ribbons
Post by: PHall on September 08, 2017, 11:51:48 PM
Quote from: Eclipse on September 08, 2017, 08:57:33 PM
You need some really good, fine-wire snips, and maybe a file (gently).

I just snip them off with a small set of cutters and then do three or four passes with a mill file and we're good.
A small drop of the thick super glue applied with a pin and you're done.
Title: Re: Attaching clasps to ribbons
Post by: SarDragon on September 09, 2017, 01:59:48 AM
Actually, you can break off the prongs fairly easily. I have managed to do it unintentionally more than a few times. Grab the prongs with pliers or needle-nose, and pop the front off.
Title: Re: Attaching clasps to ribbons
Post by: CyBorgII on September 09, 2017, 02:59:55 PM
A little psst of Scotchgard on your ribbons will keep them cleaner and help them to last a fair bit longer without fraying as well.
Title: Re: Attaching clasps to ribbons
Post by: PHall on September 10, 2017, 03:32:27 AM
Quote from: CyBorgII on September 09, 2017, 02:59:55 PM
A little psst of Scotchgard on your ribbons will keep them cleaner and help them to last a fair bit longer without fraying as well.

My UltraThins don't fray at all. >:D
Title: Re: Attaching clasps to ribbons
Post by: Paul Creed III on September 11, 2017, 12:41:54 PM
Quote from: PHall on September 10, 2017, 03:32:27 AM
Quote from: CyBorgII on September 09, 2017, 02:59:55 PM
A little psst of Scotchgard on your ribbons will keep them cleaner and help them to last a fair bit longer without fraying as well.

My UltraThins don't fray at all. >:D

+1

I switched to UltraThins about 5 years ago and haven't looked back. Yes, they cost a bit more for a brand-new rack but they look so much better than I could ever do myself.

My rack may be missing an attachment or three but the sharper look of them makes it very worth it to me.
Title: Re: Attaching clasps to ribbons
Post by: Commo on September 11, 2017, 04:14:10 PM
+1

Now if only Ultrathins would fix their system for Army Reserve component ribbons using CAP precedence, I could be a happy CAmPer.  I emailed them again on this yesterday with step by step instructions to demonstrate... hopefully their IT guys can fix.

Commo
Title: Re: Attaching clasps to ribbons
Post by: Pylon on September 11, 2017, 06:55:50 PM
+1000 on Ultrathins. I know they aren't an option for all, especially cadets for whom ribbons earned often changes rapidly and constantly. But as mentioned above, the device placement on Ultrathins looks absolutely perfect. You'd think the devices were manufactured on the ribbons that way.  This discussion is exactly why I switched to Ultrathins a few years back.


As was also mentioned, every few years I send my existing rack into Ultrathin and for a very modest fee they update all the attachments and devices (and can even add new ribbons) all for usually much cheaper than buying a new Ultrathin set. No need to throw out the old ones.



Title: Re: Attaching clasps to ribbons
Post by: CyBorgII on September 12, 2017, 12:07:18 AM
I use Ultrathins too for my CGAux ribbons.  However, I still give them a little blast of Scotchgard...helps them stay a bit cleaner in the long run.