Snap Press for Line 20 - Weaver, Buckleguy, Goldstar, or Pres-n-Snap?

[YSRASupply]

Hey guys, I've been having a really tough time setting line 20 snaps in to 5oz leathers (1.85-2mm thick)... In particular, I've been having trouble with the cap side of the snap and the post getting pushed up in to the cap, causing an ugly indentation in the snap.  So far I've been setting by hand using a maul and buckle guy snap setter and I would estimate that 4-5 snaps end up having to be taken off and re-done because I can't stand the indentation.  I'm starting to think that setting by hand on such thin leathers is just not a good idea?  I've tried all kinds of snaps - Tandy, buckleguy, goldstar, Springfield leather, Scoville, etc, etc... all of them end up with the same problem... I've even tried short post snaps with 3mm posts as well as longer traditional post snaps.  Anyway, please see the attached picture which shows a Scovill snap that has a shorter 3mm post but still is pushing up in to the cap...

I was wondering if getting a proper press will eliminate the problem since it should be able to be much more consistent with pressure/etc?  If so, which press would you recommend?  I've been looking at Weaver, Buckleguy, Goldstar, and the Pres-N-Snap... I'm looking for whichever one is the easiest to adjust and is most compatible with line 20 snaps... At the moment I'm leaning towards getting either the Weaver Little Wonder or the Buckleguy press but was hoping someone might be able to give me some guidance?

Thanks!

[LatigoAmigo]

27 minutes ago, YSRASupply said:

In particular, I've been having trouble with the cap side of the snap and the post getting pushed up in to the cap, causing an ugly indentation in the snap.

My guess is that it is not the snap setter, but that  the post is too long, and when compressed, pushes back into the head of the snap. You are using snaps with "short" posts, but you might try a little experimentation and trim the post down even more to see if that works. Because, what else could it be?

Edited February 4, 2019 by LatigoAmigo

[brmax]

Can you post a photo of the other sides of the snap fasteners.  

Also are you finding a need to pre hole punch any, Im just curious. 

 

 

Good day

Floyd

[YSRASupply]

@LatigoAmigo thanks... will try cutting down some snaps on some scrap leather to see if that helps... do you think a hand press would help at all?

 

@brmax see picture of back side below... and yes I do need to pre hole punch.  Right now I'm using a 2mm hole punch and it's a nice snug fit.

[Rockoboy]

2 hours ago, brmax said:

Also are you finding a need to pre hole punch any

I always pre-punch a hole for a snap. Is that not the correct way to set a snap?

[VYO]

I've been using a Gold Star press for almost year now. Bought the dies with it when I bought the press. Works great and I don't get that same indent shown in your photos. I used to get that deformation when I was hand hammering the snaps and the sole reason I bought a press. One caution though, on thinner leathers you need to back the leather behind the snap when using Gold Star snaps. The metal is really weak and on thinner leathers the metal bends when pulling a snap open.

The snap in the photo is not a Gold Star but I got in the habit of backing on thin leather no matter what snaps I use. I also didn't get a good centering on my backing in the photo but you'll get the idea from it.

[YSRASupply]

Thanks @VYO I have tried leather backing but didn't like the way it raised up the back of the snap... perhaps I need to start using thicker leathers with my snap projects.  Using 5oz now and thinking maybe 7oz might be better suited for line 20 snaps...

Anyway, what other brand snaps have you tried in the Goldstar? I like the price of the goldstar but not sure if it's worth it to spend extra on any of the other options.

Thanks again!

[garypl]

I have a Goldstar press and it works well with Tandy and Goldstar snaps.  Have not tried other brands of snaps, but when I run low on current supply I may try the other brands.

I do have the hole punch attachment from Goldstar, but it only works on very thin leathers, maybe up to 2-3 oz.  Any thicker it doesn’t cut a clean hole through the leather.  Probably would not buy the hole punch dies again.

Gary

[VYO]

34 minutes ago, YSRASupply said:

what other brand snaps have you tried in the Goldstar

I buy the standard ring snaps from Gold Star. I bought some spring snaps from ahkwok but they don't work with the Gold Star dies I got for line 20 snaps. I did use some Tandy snaps at one point with the Gold Star press but Gold Star snap prices are better so I started using them instead of Tandy. The Gold Star standard snaps work fine on 5 oz leather and up for me without backing behind the snap.

[LatigoAmigo]

2 hours ago, YSRASupply said:

do you think a hand press would help at all?

 I use a bench-mounted press that I purchased at Campbell-Randall for $125. It has a twist handle which helps to sense the pressure on the snap/rivet as it is being set. I like it a lot and would highly recommend it. 

http://www.campbell-randall.com/product/italian-twist-press-no-3