How versatile is the Craftool Pro Hand Press?

[strathmoredesigns]

I'm looking at buying Tandy's Craftool Pro Hand Press and it's associated accessories. I haven't gotten far beyond rivets thus far, but I can definitely see myself doing eyelets and snaps and such in the near future. So I wanted to get a sense of whether or not anyone had any experience with this tool and how useful/versatile they found it and the different dies/accessories to be.

Here's a list of the dies/accessories they offer for it:

• Wide Double Cap Rivets
• Stamp set for: 1/8" (3 mm), 1/4" (6 mm) and 3/8" (10 mm) stamps and 2D/3D series, 1/2" (13 mm), 3/4" (19 mm) and 1" (25 mm) alphabet stamps 
• Round Tube Punches Adapter 
• 1/4" Round Spots 
• 3/8" Round Spots
• 3/16" Eyelets 
• 1/4" Eyelets
• Line 20 Snaps
• Line 24 Snaps 
• Rapid & Double Cap Rivets
• Tubular Rivets
• Multipurpose Snaps for Segma Type Snaps

Thanks guys.

[Mattsbagger]

The only thing I will say is that a lot of dies are brand specific for machine and hardware. If you spend all the money on dies will have to stick with Tandy hardware I believe. You might want to look into an arbor press and get it modified to suit different dies and hardware.

[Matt S]

I haven't used that particular press, but very similar presses can be got for a lot less money. I have one similar to this: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Kam-Press-Machine-Press-Studs-Eyelets-Grommet-Rivets-Popper-Stud-Leather-Craft-/272041959807?epid=1360302921&hash=item3f56f6e17f:g:fzEAAOSw6dNWSoGN

Many companies sell very similar ones from as little as £20 up. Most use a somewhat standard size threaded upper and lower tool size, which are available to set double or single cap rivets, punch holes, set eyelets/grommets or set snaps for about £15-20. Some of them have a hole on the lever which allows their conversion to foot or pneumatic power. I've also used mime for stamping using Tandy 3D stamps and small custom etched embossing plates, though I prefer my hydraulic press for that.

You may also like to look at using a slightly modified arbor press for these jobs, they are very popular for hobbyists and low-production manufacturers.

[strathmoredesigns]

5 minutes ago, Mattsbagger said:

If you spend all the money on dies will have to stick with Tandy hardware I believe. 

Ok, that was one thing I was definitely wondering. I get it that the dies would be specific to the Tandy press, but how specific is the hardware? Will I need also use hardware I buy from Tandy or is there enough standardization in things like rivets and snaps that I could use just about anybody's and still set that with that press?

I've seen the arbor presses done and thought about that a little, but I'd have to get someone to do it for it so I was thinking this might be a ready-made solution.

[Mattsbagger]

Rapid rivets are pretty standard. The quality of the Tandy setters is less than a set from Micheals I had laying around. And the snaps from Micheals are even better. A machine shop would drill a hole and tap a set screw for a cpl dollars. Its an easy 12 pack for one of them.lol

[Willie0]

I went with the popular "green" press to save money on the dies.  I wish I had either modified my arbor press or preferably bought the Tandy one.  The quality of some of the hardware just seems a little soft.  I have bent snap bases with easy use, and the grommets as well.  While most of the dies work great, the small grommet setter only works if I set the grommet partially with a hand setter first.  Will probably still buy the Tandy red press or the Springfield black one, which would have been cheaper in the long run.

[BearClawLeather]

I have the red press with a bunch of the dies and I love it. I plan on getting a foot press one day for my higher quantity seasons (Fathers Day and Christmas) but for now, the hand tool has not let me down.

I have the following dies and love using them all:

• Wide Double Cap Rivets
• Round Tube Punches Adapter 
• 3/16" Eyelets 
• 1/4" Eyelets
• Line 20 Snaps
• Line 24 Snaps 
• Rapid & Double Cap Rivets
• Multipurpose Snaps for Segma Type Snaps

[strathmoredesigns]

Thanks guys. For those of you with this press, are you only able to use Tandy 

1 hour ago, BearClawLeather said:

I have the red press with a bunch of the dies and I love it.

Are you able to use non-Tandy brand hardware with it? Most of my hardware at this point is from Tandy, but I don't want to be limited in the future. My general assumption is that a 3/16 eyelet should more or less be a 3/16 eyelet, regardless of whether Tandy made it or someone else did.... 

[BearClawLeather]

1 minute ago, strathmoredesigns said:

Thanks guys. For those of you with this press, are you only able to use Tandy 

Are you able to use non-Tandy brand hardware with it? Most of my hardware at this point is from Tandy, but I don't want to be limited in the future. My general assumption is that a 3/16 eyelet should more or less be a 3/16 eyelet, regardless of whether Tandy made it or someone else did.... 

I get most of my hardware from the Buckle Guys and they work perfectly.

[strathmoredesigns]

Thanks everybody, some really helpful information and some stuff to think about!