Line 20 and 24 snaps - post bends

[NatesLeatherGds]

Hello All. I have a job I may be doing with a lot of snaps. I cannot for the life of me get the snaps to remain straight - stud on button. I can get it to flare out correctly and smoothly, but at the final hammer/press -- they bend left or right. I am using 2-3 oz leather and short post line 20 snaps. I've considered all manner of vice type tools, snap presses, etc. But if I have another "engineering" problem with posts too long, no tool will help me, I think. Can anyone tell me if they've solved this problem, and how ?  Or is it in fact, not a problem in post size but I just need the exact tool (a proper snap button bench press). Hammering in usual style is not in the cards -- I have maybe 500 to do  and need to solve for speedy install. Thanks. 

[CJJ]

try using a small Phillips head screwdriver on the post first.  put the tip of the screwdriver in the post and tap gently with just enough force to make four little notches in the post.  Then it should roll down easier with setter. 

[NatesLeatherGds]

6 minutes ago, CJJ said:

try using a small Phillips head screwdriver on the post first.

Thanks - I had done this before, and just tried it again. Nice flare - still ugly bend off to the left/right. 

[Mulesaw]

@NatesLeatherGds I use a small manual press, and that has done wonders for me. The fact that it is able to press absolutely straight means that the caps don't flare to either side. Whenever I try it with a hammer I manage to get it slightly shifted no matter how much I concentrate on the job.

An alternative could be a drill press if you have one? you just need to put a small bolt in the jaws and make sure that it is filed flat and smooth at first. 

But I am afraid that you need what you describe as:  a proper snap button bench press

Brgds

Jonas

[Mablung]

For what it’s worth, I find my posts bend the most easily when the body of the leather is not sitting flat in the same plane with the snap post. Even if I have the base of the snap piece I’m setting held flat to the anvil, once I shift to only applying pressure to the setter handle in preparation for striking it with my mallet, the leather shifts out of plane. Then I tend to bend the post, as the post has to adjust to sit flush with the leather surface as it mushrooms. A block or something under the body of the leather near the snap location will help allow the snap to set properly without the post bending. 
 

All the above assumes the post is the right length, but it sounds like you have that covered already. 

[Dwight]

1 hour ago, NatesLeatherGds said:

Hello All. I have a job I may be doing with a lot of snaps. I cannot for the life of me get the snaps to remain straight - stud on button. I can get it to flare out correctly and smoothly, but at the final hammer/press -- they bend left or right. I am using 2-3 oz leather and short post line 20 snaps. I've considered all manner of vice type tools, snap presses, etc. But if I have another "engineering" problem with posts too long, no tool will help me, I think. Can anyone tell me if they've solved this problem, and how ?  Or is it in fact, not a problem in post size but I just need the exact tool (a proper snap button bench press). Hammering in usual style is not in the cards -- I have maybe 500 to do  and need to solve for speedy install. Thanks. 

Nate . . . I'm 79 yrs old . . . have neuropathy in my hands and feet . . . along with a tad of arthritis.  Snaps were an absolute pain for me the last couple of years . . . 

UNTIL . . . 

I was in an Amish fabric shop up near Mansfield, Ohio . . . saw these snap pliers . . . bought em . . . HAVE NEVER LOOKED BACK . . .

I actually only bought one set the first time up there . . . but I got sick and tired of swapping out the male setting set for the female setting set . . . so I bought another set of the pliers . . . now I just grab one . . . then the other . . . then hang them back up.

They have never done a bad job on my snaps since I got them almost 2 yrs ago.

I think I saw them also in Hobby Lobby . . . 

Anyway . . . they work great . . . and while I didn't do it . . . they are fixed up so you can drill a hole in your work bench . . . run a wire down to a pedal . . . and you can hold the piece with both hands while you step on the pedal . . . setting the snap.

Each set of pliers was about 40 bucks . . . and the set of line 24 snaps setters . . . was 20 bucks.  You have to buy the setters separate.

May God bless,

Dwight

[NatesLeatherGds]

6 minutes ago, Dwight said:

and the set of line 24 snaps setters

Thanks all so far!

 

Dwight, this looks promising. Question; this looks like its for segma/spring type snaps. But you say it works for the line 24? Ever used it for line 20 ? Thanks!

[Wepster]

there are probably more sources, but I just found this one

https://kamsnaps.com/products/mini-table-press-kxt2?variant=40806901284961&currency=USD&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&gad_source=1

[ljk]

You have been provided great info.  There is more than one type of snap. DOT and Fastsnaps have a more domed head than chinese line 24 snaps. They will work on either style tool but may disrupt the top of the domed head.

[NatesLeatherGds]

12 minutes ago, ljk said:

You have been provided great info

For sure! And thanks to everyone! I am working the issue with the suggestions and should be able to dial things in.