Caratworx

Am looking to work with snaps, rivets, and grommets, for leather work, however, I am unsure of what to start off with regarding tools. Any recommendations? There seems to be the following methods - Table top presses with interchangable dies such as the tandy press at about $150 - Hand vises such as the Press and Snap Tool at about $129 - The various setters with dies at about $20 I am leaning towards the cheapest route until I can maybe find one of the vises or presses used. Am I heading in the right direction? I see there are different manufacturers also. Do you need specific a specific manufacturer's tool or die to match the snap, or does just the size need to match? Also, how do you know what tool or die fits what snap/rivet/grommet? I see on some of the web stores, the dies and snaps/rivets/grommets are matched. Thanks in advance!

Thanks All! I went back and looked closely at those belts and leashes, and saw they were in fact two pieces of leather bonded together. Hope to have my first sheat done soon! Thanks JT

I have bought some leather tools and am working on some knife sheaths. At the same time I have been reading furiously on leatherworking. I have a question though. Looking at some of my belts and leashes, I have noticed some of them are solid pieces of leather that is finished (Smooth) on both sides (top and botto) rather than two pieces of leather sewn together, or a single piece of leather that is finished on one side only. The leather I have bought so far is just finished on one side (which is fine for the sheaths). What is the leather or technique used to finish leather on both sides and when purchasing a leather belt blank how would you know it is finished (smooth) on both sides. Thanks in advance!