OrtizCustomLeather Report post Posted November 2, 2017 Hey everyone! Im fairly new to the leatherworking industry and im just starting to build up my tool collection. Ive begun to get more and more orders so im looking for something to help my efficiency in production. One thing that slows me down is installing button snaps and rivets. Maybe i need more practice doing it by hand but i have trouble setting these in sometimes. This slows me down since i have to remove the messed up snap or rivet and can sometimes cause me to damage or scratch the item im working on. Its also happened a couple of times when the snap or rivet come off altogether after i thought it was securely in place. I want to produce high quality items for my customers and rid the fear of the item possibly coming appart. Can anyone point me in the direction of an affordable snap/rivet press? The one's on tandy are a little to pricey for me at the moment. Any guidance would be greatly appreciated. P.s. i dont mind buying second hand tools! Much appreciated, Ruben Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fredk Report post Posted November 2, 2017 (edited) Many people have converted arbor presses bought cheaply from a US machinery dealer [can't remember the name] Make a search on here for Arbor Press might throw up some better answers. The Tandy fittings for their press fits into some of the cheaper arbor presses Edit; I just noticed I had this bookmarked > Edited November 2, 2017 by fredk Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
garypl Report post Posted November 2, 2017 I bought a 1 ton arbor press from Harbor Freight for @$40, then drilled a hole in the ram to accept dies, setters, etc. works great for stamping, setting rivets, grommets, eyelets, etc. Do a search for arbor press on this forum and you will see many posts on how to modify and use arbor presses! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
strathmoredesigns Report post Posted November 2, 2017 If you're not so handy with the tools, you could also just buy a press from one of the larger retailers. Black Friday is coming up. There may be some deals. Here are a couple of examples. https://www.tandyleather.com/en/search/?sSearch=press Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lclayton Report post Posted November 10, 2017 Arbor press works great for many different applications Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
strathmoredesigns Report post Posted November 11, 2017 Has anyone used an arbor press as a clicker press? Or do they not have enough force and you'd need a shop press? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
480volt Report post Posted November 11, 2017 My Dake 2 1/2P is good for 6 tons and has 20” of daylight under the ram. Haven’t tried it for leather work, it probably would be a little awkward as the throw is pretty long. I use it for bearings, bushings, etc. It’s really intended for broaching, that’s why the long travel. Weighs a bit over 300 pounds. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Northmount Report post Posted November 11, 2017 1 hour ago, strathmoredesigns said: Has anyone used an arbor press as a clicker press? Or do they not have enough force and you'd need a shop press? Works for small items. Have done 4" circle in 8/9 oz heavy temper leather, had to use 4 bites to make it work, plus some extra leverage. Tom Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
strathmoredesigns Report post Posted November 12, 2017 @Northmount were you using something like this as the foot on your arbor press or just the rod it comes with to punch out the leather? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dwight Report post Posted November 12, 2017 (edited) On 11/2/2017 at 0:08 PM, OrtizCustomLeather said: Hey everyone! Im fairly new to the leatherworking industry and im just starting to build up my tool collection. Ive begun to get more and more orders so im looking for something to help my efficiency in production. One thing that slows me down is installing button snaps and rivets. Maybe i need more practice doing it by hand but i have trouble setting these in sometimes. This slows me down since i have to remove the messed up snap or rivet and can sometimes cause me to damage or scratch the item im working on. Its also happened a couple of times when the snap or rivet come off altogether after i thought it was securely in place. I want to produce high quality items for my customers and rid the fear of the item possibly coming appart. Can anyone point me in the direction of an affordable snap/rivet press? The one's on tandy are a little to pricey for me at the moment. Any guidance would be greatly appreciated. P.s. i dont mind buying second hand tools! Much appreciated, Ruben Ruben, I have a pair of these I've had for over 10 years now, . . . and while at times I'll fail to set every thing up right, . . . if I do my part, . . . these never fail me. https://www.ebay.com/itm/Snap-Pliers-Set-Canvas-Marine-Heavy-Duty-Fabric-Button-Fastener-Installation/352192247767?hash=item52004b37d7:g:JXYAAOSwvTpaA2V9&vxp=mtr May God bless, Dwight Edited November 12, 2017 by Dwight Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Northmount Report post Posted November 12, 2017 5 hours ago, strathmoredesigns said: @Northmount were you using something like this as the foot on your arbor press or just the rod it comes with to punch out the leather? Just using the end of the ram. A plate as you have shown would help as long as the size of die is not too large. You could move up to a 3 ton arbor press if you want more punching power. Tom Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
strathmoredesigns Report post Posted November 12, 2017 @Northmount Thanks Tom! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
