Setting Snaps...

[Dwight]

These little things are driving me nuts! Im using Line 24, Line 20, Segma, and Glove snaps for various projects. Right now I just have the set-all kit that comes with the little cheap anvils and setting tools. I'm using a good solid surface, but can't set a good snap to save my life.

Is there an easier way to set snaps that doesn't cost a couple hundred dollars?

With time, . . . a little practice, . . . a couple ruined projects, . . . and a small box full of wasted/broken/folded/spindled snaps, rivets, etc, . . . you can learn to use the tools sold at Tandy's.

For line 24 snaps, . . . go to Hobby Lobby (they have it on line also, but you'll have to call their 800 number to order it as it is hard to find in that Pakistani web site of theirs), . . . they sell a blue handled snap setter for around $23.00, . . . it is head and shoulders above the Tandy tool. You'll find it on the wall where they sell their sewing tools (scissors, tapes, needles, rotary cutters, etc).

The SKU number for that tool is 733006. They also have another hand tool in the same price range that is supposed to do smaller snaps, grommets, etc., but I don't own it, . . . cannot comment on it.

May God bless,

Dwight

[TomG]

With time, . . . a little practice, . . . a couple ruined projects, . . . and a small box full of wasted/broken/folded/spindled snaps, rivets, etc, . . . you can learn to use the tools sold at Tandy's.

For line 24 snaps, . . . go to Hobby Lobby (they have it on line also, but you'll have to call their 800 number to order it as it is hard to find in that Pakistani web site of theirs), . . . they sell a blue handled snap setter for around $23.00, . . . it is head and shoulders above the Tandy tool. You'll find it on the wall where they sell their sewing tools (scissors, tapes, needles, rotary cutters, etc).

The SKU number for that tool is 733006. They also have another hand tool in the same price range that is supposed to do smaller snaps, grommets, etc., but I don't own it, . . . cannot comment on it.

May God bless,

Dwight

BUMP

I bought this snap setter last week. The handle bent before the post was split/curled. Took it back and and exchanged it., Same thing.

Went to West Marine and bought a heavy duty one for $34 with 18 heavy duty snap sets and it works perfectly.

Don't waste your time or money at HL.

Tom

[Sylvia]

BUMP

Went to West Marine and bought a heavy duty one for $34 with 18 heavy duty snap sets and it works perfectly.

Does West Marine have a website? If so would you please post a link for us?

[TomG]

Does West Marine have a website? If so would you please post a link for us?

Here you go. Be sure to copy and paste the entire URL into your browser. I noticed that it's wrapped onto 2 lines here.

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=17049&catalogId=10001&langId=-1&storeId=11151&storeNum=50692&subdeptNum=50698&classNum=50699

Tom

[Sylvia]

Here you go. Be sure to copy and paste the entire URL into your browser. I noticed that it's wrapped onto 2 lines here.

Tom

Thanks Tom! The link ended up clickable. Funny I notice that several people reviewed this product as worthless and said that it bent after a few uses. I wonder if they are coming from a couple different factories....

[Jbarv Bulls]

The best way thats worked for me .... I got one of those wide, tapered nail punches at home depot for like $7. I just tap and turn it into the post holes, it flares it out well enough for my el cheapo snap setter to finish the job.

[TomG]

The best way thats worked for me .... I got one of those wide, tapered nail punches at home depot for like $7. I just tap and turn it into the post holes, it flares it out well enough for my el cheapo snap setter to finish the job.

I do something similar with Line 20 snaps. I use my Line 24 setter and tap the top of the post lightly to flair it a little and then use the Line 20 setter to finish it

Seems to work for me

[Mike516]

Line 24 snaps are for 5-7 ounce leather, which is roughly 2 to 2.75mm thick.

If the leather is TOO THICK, the snaps won't form or hold properly.

If the leather is TOO THIN, you will deform the snaps trying to get them together.

Relly

The line 24 snaps from Tandy, if those are the ones you're talking about, have a 5/16" post and are for 8-10 oz leather. You'll bend the post and offset the snap if you use them on 5-7 oz. I think you meant to say line 20?

I could never get the Tandy snaps to set right, they're just kinda weak and flimsy, but I got the Tandy snap press and it works great. I also got some very good high quality strong snaps and the regular hand tools work just fine with them (unfortunately, the dies with Tandy's press don't work with the new snaps).

Edited April 16, 2012 by Mike516

[The Grizzly]

Ideally, how much of the snap post do you want above the inside of the snap before you set? Sometimes I seem to have too much, other times I grind down and don't have enough and the snap pulls apart.

[CactusWrenLeather1]

I've got setting tools for line 16, 20 and 24 snaps. The problem is, I don't have the instruction sheet (and pictures) that came with the kit. Does anyone have a set of instructions identifying these tools (from the Tandy "Snap Setter Kit") that could be scanned and posted? I can find pictures of the snap assemblies, but not side-by-side comparisons of the tools to help in picking the right tool. I'm afraid I'm not using the right tools for the right jobs, and since I lost the instruction flyer, I've been having some difficulties setting snaps.