How Do I Put A Cap On A Socket Straight For A Snap

[leathervan]

When I pound the cap onto the socket with the leather sandwiched in between the stem of the cap bends so that when it Is finished the cap and stem are not aligned so that the cap isn't directly above the socket. What am I doing wrong?

[Dwight]

Not sure I understand, . . . can you post a pic?

That would sure help, . . . several would be ideal.

May God bless,

Dwight

[TomG]

Your stem is too long. It needs to end about 1/16" above the uncompressed leather. There are a number of ways to trim them. Files a score line around them and try to snap the tip off is one way, but I found it to be awkward at beast.

I use a pair of flush cutting nippers to cut the tip above the leather. I then use the nippers to reshape it to some semblance of a round shaft again. Never had a problem with them holding or he caps being lined up.

[ToddB 68]

Leathervan,

TomG beat me to it !........I was just about to post what he said, so I'll just add one other thing. Do yourself a favor and get a copy of Al Stohlman's book titled: Leathercraft Tools (Stock NO. 61960-00) and look at pages 82 through 85. That book will serve as a good guide for setting all kinds of snaps in the future and how to solve problems. In addition, it has helpful information on the majority of other leatherworking tools. A "must have" for your leatherworking reference library !

ToddB68

Edited January 18, 2014 by ToddB68

[Rayban]

I touch the too-long stem to my belt sander and make real short work of shortening it.

Also, don't try setting it with one big pound of the mallet...if you come down at the slightest angle, the finished job won't line up. Use a few lighter taps instead.....I learned that the hard way, like I usually learn everything else..

Edited January 18, 2014 by Rayban

[Chief31794]

One more thing that might help. Start the set by "tapping" the setter with the hammer and rotating it around to get the stem to start a good roll over all the way around, you can get increasingly harder as it sets, but it doesn't take a lot to set snaps. Posts will bend in the leather even when they're the correct length if you try to smash it with the hammer.

Another solution if you set a lot of snaps to get a snap setter, they set the snaps perfectly every time.

Chief

[ToddB 68]

Chief31794 ......That's a excellent answer......an attest to your leatherworking experience and knowledge !

ToddB68

Edited January 18, 2014 by ToddB68

[Chief31794]

Chief31794 ......That's a excellent answer......an attest to your leatherworking experience and knowledge !

ToddB68

Thanks Todd, I must'a bent a million of em' before I figured it out. I wish we'd of had a site like this in 1972 when I started, I'd be a master leather crafter today.

Chief

[TomG]

Amen on the Leathercraft Tools book. In my opinion, it is one of the "bibles" of this craft.

And light taps are definitely the right way to start out. After a while, you can feel when the rivet is seated. I then give it one more whack and I'm done.

As in every other aspect, practice is key.

[AndyL1]

If you have the means and/or are setting enough snaps to warrant it, pick up a hand press with the matching dies. I never have to trim the posts and never have a bent one either. I used to set them with the mallet and anvil but got so frustrated after some time. Love the press now!

Andy