Tandy rapid rivets either bending or not holding. Help!

[nevadabob]

Making a dog leash and using Tandy double cap rapid rivets. The top of the post peeks out of the hole about 1/8 inch and I'm using the proper rivet setter tool and am using the flat spot on my vise as a foundation. I've got a package of 100 that I'm going through rather quickly. The post ends up leaning and I can usually pull the cap off. Any thoughts on what I'm doing wrong? I don't have a rivet setting base, the kind with the concave indents/circles. Thanks for any help.

[Brocade]

I have had this same problem almost every time that I've used Tandy rivets. Personally, I think that their rivets are just of inferior quality. They don't seem to mushroom out or split properly. In my experience, only about 30 out of 100 will function as intended, and that was only when I used a pair of jeweler wire-cutters to pre-split them. You should be using a rivet setter base, though. It helps keep the post from flattening and looking janky. It also keeps the post from sliding around and giving the bend you're getting.

My suggestion are 'screw rivets' or Chicago screws. There are also other rivet makers that are better, such as Hanson Rivets. However, the screw rivets are changeable if they become damaged over time. They aren't that much more expensive than regular tap rivets, either.

 

-Crystal

[Mike516]

45 minutes ago, nevadabob said:

Making a dog leash and using Tandy double cap rapid rivets. The top of the post peeks out of the hole about 1/8 inch and I'm using the proper rivet setter tool and am using the flat spot on my vise as a foundation. I've got a package of 100 that I'm going through rather quickly. The post ends up leaning and I can usually pull the cap off. Any thoughts on what I'm doing wrong? I don't have a rivet setting base, the kind with the concave indents/circles. Thanks for any help.

I would suggest if you're using double caps, get the anvil with the concave's for the caps. If you're using a flat anvil, you're teetering the cap that's on it and that would be why it's not setting correctly. I use SLC rivets every day, which are the same quality of Tandy's and don't have any issues. It did take me some time to sort of perfect my technique, and trust me if I can do it anyone can 

[Boriqua]

I stopped getting rivets at Tandy and just get the brass ones from weaver. Having said that ... I feel like a full 1/8 sticking out of the hole might be just a touch on the long side. The tube is bending over and not being given enough support to squash especially if your hole in the leather is a little oversized. I use a flat base for the rapid rivets with the concave setting tool for the top for a hundred years and works fine.

Bummer wasting material I know! Only thing I can suggest besides running to tandy and trying shorter ones is to tap the head onto the post somewhat lightly just to get the head set down well on the post and then Whack to set. It may help?

[nevadabob]

I appreciate the tips. I placed an order with Springfield LC for their double cap rivets. And I'll be checking out the Chicago screws.

[JerseyFirefighter]

I had the same problem with Tandy rivets and have made the switch to SLC's stuff. I feel much more confident using there rivets. I would never trust securing dog collars with rivets because im traumatized now  . As a matter of fact im waiting on a collar whose rivet let loose because of those rivets. Now I have to find out how im replacing a decorative rivet with a liner already stitched on the back to cover them. :/ 

[TomG]

I've used Tandy double-cap brass and nickle plated rivets for 10 years.  I've had very, very few problems with them and 99% of those were me.

1/8" is too tall. 90% of the time, the post is going to lean or shift to the side.  Especially if the hole is too large.  The hole should be just big enough to let the cap set all the way down.
1/16" is the recommended height for all rapid and double cap rivets to the best of my knowledge. 

To use a "too long" rivet, I use a pair of fine, flush-cutting cutters to trim them to size once put into the leather and then reshape the post with them as well.  I've had maybe 5 failures in those 10 years that I am aware of.

I've also set them with and without the concave base. I've never seen any difference other than visual - flat base vs domed base.

All of this being said, I recently bought the Goldstar press and dies.  I have set countless double caps that were at least 1/8th" above the surface and had zero posts leaning over.  I leave the dies in all the time and just grab it, set it on the bench and go.  Just be aware that the Goldstar double cap dies are marked in mm size and Tandy rivets are all mis-sized.  I beleive the mediums are marked as 7mm and are actually 8mm. So you have to buy a die size larger.

Their Line 20 snap dies are not cut to fit the Tandy snaps either.  They fit everybody else's, per the guy at the store.

Good luck

[nevadabob]

While I'm awaiting the SLC order, I decided to be creative with what I have. I made a washer out of some thinner leather. My post hole in the leather leash is very small, pretty tight fit as the post pokes up through. I put some contact cement on the post and inside the cap. The hole in the fold over end is a tad bigger so as to accommodate the bigger cap insert. The post now pokes up @ 1/16". Tapped the cap end very lightly and will let it dry overnight.

I appreciate the additional comments.

Edited May 27, 2016 by nevadabob

[Colt W Knight]

6 hours ago, Mike516 said:

I would suggest if you're using double caps, get the anvil with the concave's for the caps. If you're using a flat anvil, you're teetering the cap that's on it and that would be why it's not setting correctly. I use SLC rivets every day, which are the same quality of Tandy's and don't have any issues. It did take me some time to sort of perfect my technique, and trust me if I can do it anyone can 

Ive used hundreds of tandy double cap rivets using the concave anvil and punch, and I have never had an issue either. 

 

[byggyns]

I have to agree that you have too much post exposed. I set my double caps with the post flush to 1/16" proud of the surface. As long as the cap will center on the post, I've found that the act of setting the rivet will compress the leather around it enough to get a good flare out of the post and hold securely.