How Do I Use A Two Prong Hand Spot Setter?

[TomG]

On 8/20/2015 at 6:50 PM, ENC said:

That tool has a lot of slop in it. The blades move every time you use it and have to be reset to the correct spacing. If you are doing round spots up to 1/2 inch, this is the next step up is. http://www.tandyleather.com/en-usd/search/searchresults/8114-01.aspx. It looks like Tandy has discontinued the kit that had 4 sizes in it. The next step up from there is expensive...a hand press and dies. Last I checked with Standard rivet it was about $125 per die, but they can make one for any shape/size of spot.

This is what I use now. Have the set of 4.  I use it almost exactly as shown in the Tandy video. 1st, make 4 lines with a fine sharpie on each side of the sleeve, 90 degrees apart. This gives you 2 lines to line up with the legs of the spot when you push it into the sleeve. The one of the other lines is used to point towards yourself, assuring the legs all go in the same line. 

You will likely have to spread the spot legs slightly to hold in the sleeve.

Put the leather on a piece of scrap and hit the tool, driving the spot through the leather.  It may curve the legs a bit, but you can straighten those out next.  When you get all the spots driven through, flip it over, make all legs tilt inward and set them with the domed part od the anvil.  Then you can flatten them with the flat side of the anvil.  

Done.. Really quite easy once you try it.