Choosing a spot setter - what should I look for?

[UKRay]

Here in the UK we don't see too many used spot setters - in fact, I have never seen one. To be honest I haven't seen a new one either! I'm imagining a hand or foot operated machine rather than a hand tool but maybe I'm wrong.

Can anyone give me some advice on choosing and purchasing one of these things. I'm almost certainly going to have to buy in the US - unless you can tell me different.

How much will I pay for a good one and what brand should I look out for?

Are all spots and spot setters the same? - Like I said, I have never seen one of these things and don't even know what questions to ask to get the answers I need to make an informed decision.

Is a spot setter the same as a rhinestone setter?

Hope you can help, pictures would be a real advantage.

Thanks guys,

Ray

P.S. If anybody has one to trade or sell then I'm definitely in the market.

[celticleather]

Ray

Did you know that Abbey Saddlery have a treadle machine for £160.00 (plus tools)?

http://www.abbeysaddlery.co.uk/product_detail.cfm?id=FS063.

It's a little unclear exactly what it's capable of, but I'm sure they'd let you know.

Terry

[Luke Hatley]

Ray check your weaver catalog , they have one. Me,personally i would set the spots by hand

Why ? because of the cost of the machine and dies.

if you have the right rivett setter it is possible to get dies that will set spots.

also check out the Tandy Catalog and look at there Rivett setter, it will also set the spots with the right dies.

[UKRay]

Thanks, Terry. I do have a couple of foot presses that would probably work but I need to know what the tooling would look like before I can design and order it locally. I simply felt it would be easier to order a complete unit that was ready to roll rather than try to make something I already have do another job. IMHO, dedicated machines mean less set-up time.

What I really need is to see one of these things working or see pictures of one working so I can get to grips with what is required - maybe my foot operated machines would work well - who knows? LOL

Thanks for the Weaver tip-off Luke - You really do know that old Weaver catalog inside out don't you... I am beginning to think you need to get out more! LMAO!!!

Ray

[Dink]

Ray

I use one of the Heritage foot presses from weaver and can get you pictures if it helps. We went with this machine because of the die availability you can get setter dies for spots and stones, rivets, box staples, hole punches, and some others. It has really been a handy machine but like Luke said though the machine I think is reasonably priced, you can add up alot in all the different dies.

Dink

[RunningRoan]

Ray,

A couple years ago, Weaver had free DVDs they sent out that demo'd the machinery they offered. The Heritage foot press was one of them. It showed the press being used with different dies setting different things. Very informative! I'd give Weaver a call and see if they can send you one of those DVDs.

[UKRay]

Ray,

A couple years ago, Weaver had free DVDs they sent out that demo'd the machinery they offered. The Heritage foot press was one of them. It showed the press being used with different dies setting different things. Very informative! I'd give Weaver a call and see if they can send you one of those DVDs.

Thanks for all the advice folks.

I have just watched the Weaver DVD a few times and saw how they set rivets and spots. I think I can work it out from here.

I already have a very similar foot press riveting machine for 'star' type tubular rivets but would like to use it for a few more purposes. One of the things I'd like to set is stem and cap rivets and that may need some engineering!

I'm going to give Weaver's a call. If they can't help I'll be back!

Ray