Snaps for the first time

[Clintock]

Made a few things but never used snaps. Have an order for a rifle scabbard if I can do it for under 300 bucks. Think I can do that. 

Questions are.... What's the best snaps and do I have to buy one of those expensive snap setters? What's the best size/line? Are the hand setters good to use that cost around 15? I know absolutely nothing about snaps. Appreciate any info y'all may give. 

[JLSleather]

Much of it cosmetic .. "curb appeal".  Some factors:

• Not much difference in the holding strength between line 20 and line 24 snaps, and line 16's are stronger than a guy might think.
• Line 16 will set in 8/9 leather - the 20 and 24 may not.
• The line 16, while strong enough, may not look 'proportional' on a rifle case.

I use those "hand" setters, seem to work fine. Trick is to get teh snaps from one place, since they vary from one place to another.  You can get a press/dies to set all of these (plus others)  but I'd have to have some volume to make it worth setting that up.

While a guy "could" make a case for $300, I personally would not (though, no opinion formed if the next guy does).

[Clintock]

So the line 16 is smaller than 20 and 20 smaller than 24? Sounds like 16 would be good for a handgun holster and 20 good for belts and 24 for the scabbard? Where would a guy get the best snaps and setter?

Guy said all he wanted was a plain leather scabbard no tooling or anything. Just a flap to keep covered. Bear in mind this will all be hand stitched as this poor boy can't afford a machine stitcher right now. 

[JLSleather]

Yeah, it was largely the hand stitchin' that makes it not worth the trouble

I personally do NOT like line 20 or 24 snaps on a belt.  Just causes a bunch of bulk (they sit pretty high).  If I make a belt with snaps (and I DO) then I use line 16 (3 of em).

For a "thumb break" on a holster, I use the 24's, simply because that's the 'look' people are accustomed to (like a "reinforcement" panel -- not necessary, but some folks think it belongs there).

Teh 24's would be fine on something scabbard sized.  But you'll likely want leather heavier than those can go through.  Bad news.. it may mean more sewing   Put the snap through a small (and decoratively shaped) piece of lighter leather (say, 6 oz?) and then sew that piece with the snap onto the main body.  You know.. think ranger belt

[Dwight]

This is the tool I use 95% of the time, . . . had it for 12 or so years, . . . bought it at Walmart for $9.95 back then.

Make sure you do not lose the little red piece in there, . . . goes around the male portion of the snap, . . . makes the tool work.  You can use it without the cylinder but you mess up the snaps some times and that can be aggravating.

I also have the Tandy tool set for snaps and rivets, . . . it does not hold as well as this tool in my opinion.  

The single bad part of it, . . . the throat is small, so the snaps have to be within a couple inches of the edge of whatever you are doing, . . . and for me that is the 95% of my work.

May God bless,

Dwight

 http://www.hobbylobby.com/Fabric-Sewing/Sewing-Quilting-Notions/Fasteners/5-8-Heavy-Duty-Fastener-Plier-Kit/p/109268

[Clintock]

@JLSleather you're making it harder to accept this job due to all the stitching. Reading this I should order line 16 and 24? What's heavier than the 24? Is 16 smaller than 24 but longer to go through thicker leather? 

@Dwight will this tool work on different lines? Or do I need several different tools? Will be going to the Walmart later. Hopefully they'll have something. I don't plan on making anything where the snap will more than a couple inches from the edge. But that could change tomorrow. 

[Dwight]

Not to jump on anyone else, . . . but I've been messing with this leather stuff now on and off for 55+ years, . . . line 24 snaps have done everything I've ever asked of them, . . . and while I did one time buy some smaller ones, . . . have never used em.

I only use regular line 24 snaps, . . . and some one way snaps (very rarely) that I got from Sailrite several years ago.

And I honestly don't know if this tool will work on other sizes, . . . never tried.

Oh, . . . and don't go to Walmart for the tool, . . . for some reason, they quit carrying it, . . . Hobby Lobby carries them.

May God bless,

Dwight

Edited June 3, 2017 by Dwight

[JLSleather]

You can see pics of all the above https://www.tandyleather.com/en/category/snaps

The "segma" snaps are line 16

 

[Clintock]

Might be awhile getting to hobby lobby. Nearest one is an hour and a half away. Small town living.

Are the Tandy snaps good or is there a better brand? 

[bikermutt07]

I've never tried them, but home Depot and Lowe's carry snaps and eyelets. They are with the staplers and hot glue guns.