Rivet Setter From Ebay?

[RavenAus]

Your best bet would be to get a local metal shop to make a set of dies for that Meagain. You might even try your local college or uni that do engineering courses as they would be a good test piece for the students. Failing that, ask locally to see if anyone has a metal lathe

[Sylvia]

Raven has a great idea. I've used University students for auto repair before and it was very inexpensive compared to the local auto shops. Since their work is supervised by the instructor I felt very comfortable having them do the work.

Maybe if you can locate a Machinist in your area since they typically have the necessary tools and are used to working with precise requirements. You'll need a clear idea of exactly what you want the die to do and be able to articulate that to the machinist. Expect to spend a little more on the custom dies. Just having that hole drilled and tapped for a set screw in that arbor press of mine cost me $30 here locally.

[meagain]

Ordered today. Can't wait to do some practice rivets. Weight of worry off my shoulders.

[silverwingit]

A quick note and a link to an Arthur Porter video on the GoldStar press.

Some months ago I was tantalized by the discovery of the GoldStar press. A cautious consumer, I contacted the man offering the machine on eBay. I was concerned that the press seemed to be able to use only GoldStar hardware items (rivets, snaps, etc.). I have tons of hardware in my inventory and didn't want to buy a press that was incompatible with some or all of it. The seller wrote back and actually took the trouble to buy some Tandy hardware to test it. The press wouldn't work with the Tandy hardware. I was totally impressed with the honesty of the seller, but opted out of the apparently amazing deal. I didn't want to start over with new hardware or to be constrained to only one vendor.

Interestingly Arthur Porter has recently posted a youtube video comparing the Tandy and GoldStar presses. Very informative as usual.

http://youtu.be/7n6tP07iEj0?list=UUeVcStwlRuJYgTia-sZ9Drw

Thanks,

Michelle

[paprhangr]

I also purchased the Goldstar press, works good on Tandy rivets too

But does not punch holes . I got the Tandy hand press with the alot cheaper Black River Laser hole punch dies and Tandy mini screw in punches Works great for punching holes

[CustomDoug]

Does anyone have any idea if the Goldstar machines will set Segma fasteners ? They usually come in size 21 (.150" stud/ball) and 22 (.175" stud ball) .. often used w/ glove making, or at pocket flaps on leather jackets. What type and size die would I be needing for these (Goldstar offers Spring snap dies and Ring snap dies). Thanks.

Doug C

Edited November 11, 2014 by CustomDoug

[Sylvia]

You had me going with "segma fasteners" I had never heard that term before. The closest to that is the Spring snap, however they are not exactly the same. My advise is to contact David and ask him to see if he can get the dies for the segmas and if he can start supplying segma snaps. Be very detailed and concise in your writing if you choose to email him.

Here is a youtube video that shows the segma fasteners.

[CustomDoug]

After reading several other threads on the subject and according to Art (forum member), Segma snaps are actually considered to be 'Ligne 16' in size... so I'm wondering if that equals to the goldstar dies marked as "dies for metal cover buttons #16 (7/16")" ? And also I'd like to know exactly which dies are in the set.. I assume 4 separate die pieces are needed for the 4 different components of this snap system.

Doug C

[Sylvia]

I don't think the "dies for metal cover buttons" is correct. Line 16 spring snaps are more like the glove snaps you are seeking... so your best bet is to get the dies for that. The dies are 4 pieces.

I still encourage you to speak with Goldstar to be certain about the correct dies.

[CustomDoug]

Oh, thanks Silvia - I didn't even see the ligne 16 spring snap dies the first time I looked, not sure how that happened. I probably just gravitated to the first "16" I saw. I think those are the right ones.. thanks for confirming the 4 piece dies. I shall contact Goldstar before I make the purchase.

Doug C