Snap Setting Issues

[JerseyFirefighter]

On 9/7/2018 at 1:03 PM, Ed in Tx said:

I finally gave up and purchased a press and die sets for attaching snaps. I had the same issues you are describing and it is frustrating. Take a look at the Goldstar Tool web site, they have a package deal for $70 that gets you a press and a set of dies of one size of your choosing. When I bought mine a few years ago I got the press, LN 24 and LN 20 dies along with some snaps for under $100.

The amount of frustration and time it has saved me are worth a lot more than that.

Going down this rabbit hole. I've been meaning to get a press for setting snaps (despite work space constraints for the next few months) I see they offer a dual station foot press for $500. Would you care to share your thoughts on their tools? I would have bought a few bench mounted presses but I seem to like the idea of keeping my hands free with a foot press. Especially one that's free standing. 

[garypl]

I just received the Goldstar press today - $115 delivered included line 20 & line 24 dies and 100 sets of line 20 snaps.  Have not used it yet but it appears to be very solid!

Gary

 

[Willie0]

I am happy that I bought the Goldstar press for setting rivets, and feel it is a huge improvement for hand setting snaps.  However, the snaps that they sell and fit it are just too darn cheap - they bend with use.  I still need to buy another snap setting system that uses better quality snaps.  So in the long run it will end up being more expensive than just buying something nice right from the start.

[garypl]

7 hours ago, Willie0 said:

I am happy that I bought the Goldstar press for setting rivets, and feel it is a huge improvement for hand setting snaps.  However, the snaps that they sell and fit it are just too darn cheap - they bend with use.  I still need to buy another snap setting system that uses better quality snaps.  So in the long run it will end up being more expensive than just buying something nice right from the start.

Shouldn’t the press be compatible with any line 20 or line 24 snap?  I have snaps from Ohio Travel Bag and Tandy - will test them later today.

Gary

Edited September 13, 2018 by garypl

[Itch]

In our shop we use a heritage foot press and the weaver little wonder,they both work well .. 

[Willie0]

4 hours ago, garypl said:

Shouldn’t the press be compatible with any line 20 or line 24 snap?  I have snaps from Ohio Travel Bag and Tandy - will test them later today.

Gary

The line 20's from Tandy and Springfield don't fit.

[Ed in Tx]

I haven't had any issues using my Goldstar press and dies with the LN24 snaps from Springfield. I have occasionally had to start the LN20 snaps with the hand setter and finish them with the press. I no longer purchase anything from Tandy simply based on their ridiculous prices, everything Tandy sells is overpriced when compared to competitors. 

[Ed in Tx]

18 hours ago, JerseyFirefighter said:

Going down this rabbit hole. I've been meaning to get a press for setting snaps (despite work space constraints for the next few months) I see they offer a dual station foot press for $500. Would you care to share your thoughts on their tools? I would have bought a few bench mounted presses but I seem to like the idea of keeping my hands free with a foot press. Especially one that's free standing. 

Sorry, I can't tell you about any of the other tools they sell. Your intended use and volume of use should dictate which one you choose. I only use snaps occasionally so investing the $500 wouldn't make sense for me. If you are using snaps on everything you make and have the room the larger foot press might be a better choice.

[Mike Craw]

I just got a snap setter from Barry King.  I got the one for a line 20 but he has other sizes.  It's not on his website, but you can call and talk to him.  It's a machined cylinder with a recess machined at either end, one for the male half of the snap and one for the female.  It is center-bored for the punch and it holds down the snap on its base while you smack the punch without getting the fingers of your other hand involved.  I think it works better than my lever press because none of the components can move while being set!

 

Mike

[plinkercases]

Mike thats a cool approach. Can you post i pic?