How do I do Grommets, Rivets and Eyelets?

[Ashley]

OK so I have the Universal Eyelit/Grommet setter and the Tandy Rivet setter. I've tried the Universal setter and it doesn't bend the 5/8 eyelits. I've tried the rivet setter and it doesn't work either. Please help! I feel so dumb because obviously there is a way, right? How do I do it? I am making handbags so I need them to look neat and not ruin the leather while doing it.

Here's a pic of the one's I am trying to do:

here's the tools I have

I tried to fix the pics for you but there is some info missing. Please upload them again, and someone is sure to help you out. ~Johanna

[Daemonworks]

Here's a pic of the one's I am trying to do:

here's the tools I have

The images aren't displaying, so nobody can actually see the problem you're having...

My only advice would be: use two-part rivits whenever possible, and use the setter & anvil that is made to go with them. I've only done a little work with eyelets, and have found that I can't stand the one-part ones - the back always splits and causes problems. Two-part eyelets don't have that issue. I haven't really made use of the "universal" setter by tandy - I grabbed a setter and anvil set made for the rivits I was working with, and had absolutely no problems.

[Michael Sheldon]

I've used the hand-setting tools, frankly, getting consistently good results from them is not easy.

If you're doing a lot of these, it will be worth every penny to get a hand press and the appropriate dies. You'll be shocked at how easy it is to get professional looking results with one.

For rivets, I only use tubular rivets and a "rex riveter". Depending on the placement, I may or may not use rivet caps with the appropriate die. They are far superior to the jiffy rivets in strength, durability and looks.

[Ashley]

Sorry about that...I deleted it on the picasa web albums and forgot I had posted them here...Here ya go!

[fishguy]

you need to go back to the leather store and pick up a copy of

Leathercraft tools by Al Stohlman. It shows how to set rivets, snaps, eyelets, and how to use and take care of a whole range of leather tools. The dancing bannana does not mean anything, I just thought it was kind of cool

[TwinOaks]

Another very important issue is the thickness of the leather. The rivet should (in my experience) just barely protrude from the leather- not much more than a bump. If it protrudes too far, you'll end up bending the post instead of 'mushrooming' it. I've had a few problems with the rivets and snaps, but almost every single one of them was related to having the right sized post for the thickness of leather. Of course, I've also skived a little here and there to make use of what I had, too.