Snaps don't hold in thick leather

[Sefuller]

My first attempt at leatherwork is not going well.  I wanted to make a valet tray, using thicker leather as I want to burnish the edges.  The snaps that I purchased don't have much holding power and don't even come close to holding the corners together.  I have had them clamped for several weeks in hopes the leather would begin to take a set but it doesn't appear to be having any affect.  Do I need different snaps or is there something I can do to these snaps or the leather?  The leather is 9 - 10 oz.

Thanks for any tips.

Edited September 25, 2023 by Sefuller

[chuck123wapati]

wet form your trays. then use rivets.

[Handstitched]

23 minutes ago, chuck123wapati said:

wet form your trays. then use rivets.

Yup, I second that  . Why  use snaps on valet trays?

HS

 

[fredk]

Wet form your tray and clamp the corners. When they've dried they should hold the shape and snaps should hold them together

[Tugadude]

46 minutes ago, Handstitched said:

Yup, I second that  . Why  use snaps on valet trays?

HS

 

For functionality.  You might want to take it with you when traveling.  Also, many are sold with snaps because it makes packaging and shipping easier. Vive la difference.

[RockyAussie]

1 hour ago, Sefuller said:

My first attempt at leatherwork is not going well.  I wanted to make a valet tray, using thicker leather as I want to burnish the edges.  The snaps that I purchased don't have much holding power and don't even come close to holding the corners together.  I have had them clamped for several weeks in hopes the leather would begin to take a set but it doesn't appear to be having any affect.  Do I need different snaps or is there something I can do to these snaps or the leather?  The leather is 9 - 10 oz.

Thanks for any tips.

Could you show a picture of how you have installed the snaps? I would have thought that the snaps you show would have had too long a length for that thickness leather and that may be stopping the snaps from fully closing as they should.

[Sefuller]

14 hours ago, RockyAussie said:

Could you show a picture of how you have installed the snaps? I would have thought that the snaps you show would have had too long a length for that thickness leather and that may be stopping the snaps from fully closing as they should.

See attached photos - I used a Pres n Snap tool.  The snaps do seem to snap shut like they should but as soon as I let go they pop right back open.

Edited September 26, 2023 by Sefuller

[Ddat]

I haven't been impressed with the snaps I got from tandy. Very weak holding power. I have since started using security (pull-the-dot) and they function the way I want snap

to function 

[RockyAussie]

Looks like you have them set alright which makes me think the snaps are too week. As you already have them installed I would suggest some light tapping around the rim on the side that holds the clip ring. A little resistance there should make it harder to open but too much and you may have trouble getting it closed.

4 minutes ago, Ddat said:

I haven't been impressed with the snaps I got from tandy. Very weak holding power. I have since started using security (pull-the-dot) and they function the way I want snap

to function 

Good move

[tsunkasapa]

Try moving them further in from the corner. You are fighting 'leverage'.