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Best Rivet and Snap Setters for Leather

Experienced insights, guidance, and recommendations on what can help best in your leather crafting.

Best Rivet and Snap Setters for Leather Crafting - International Leather Club

Best Rivet and Snap Setters for Leather Crafting

When it comes to working with hardware, having the right tools can make all the difference. As someone who works with leather, I’ve found that using a leather snap and rivet setter can be a game changer. Not only does it make the process faster, but it also ensures a more secure and professional-looking result.

One tool that I highly recommend is the Master Tool Little Wonder. This sturdy and reliable tool can set rivets, snaps, and grommets with the right attachments and hardware (click here to find it on Weaver Leather Supply). Plus, it can be mounted to a desk or table for added stability during use. In this article, I’ll be sharing some tips on what to look for in a setter and how to choose the best one for your needs.

Types of Leather Snap and Rivet Setters

Setting tools can help save a lot of time and effort, ensuring tight fittings and clean looking results. The two main types include:

  • Handheld Setter
  • Press Setter

 

Hand Held

I found that hand held setters are commonly used with a mallet or maul in the other hand to set hardware. They often come with small metal anvils that help position and hold the hardware when being struck. I made sure to include all relevant links and images in my article.

Snap Setters - International Leather Club
Snap Setters

Table Top

I recently had the opportunity to work with a Table Top Setter Press Machine and was impressed with its efficiency and consistency. With its large handle and interchangeable attachments, it securely handles various hardware such as rivets, snaps, and grommets. The controlled motion generates significant pressing force, ensuring smooth pressure is applied in a very specific way. Although heavier and larger than handheld setters, the Table Top Setter Press Machine provides consistent results that can be achieved more quickly. All links and images related to this machine will be included in the article.

Table Top Setter Press Machine - International Leather Club
Table Top Setter Press Machine

Best Leather Snap and Rivet Setters

When it comes to selecting a reliable and enjoyable leather snap and rivet setter, cost, frequency of use, and personal preference can be key factors. Here are some of the best options available in the market.

Best Hand Held Snap and Rivet Setter – Basic

For a basic snap and rivet set, Skyzonal offers a great option (click here to check it out on Amazon). It comes with 11 pieces for various snap and rivet size holding/setting, ranging from 6mm to 15mm. 

 

Best Hand Held Snap and Rivet Setter – Premium

Douglas offers an incredible set of hand Rivet Setting Tools (click here to find it on Rocky Mountain Leather Supply). These tools work well for setting solid rivets and include a setter, rounder, and domer. Rocky Mountain Leather also offers a high-quality snap setter for Prym Segma snaps, (click here to see it on Rocky Mountain Leather Supply). It is made to be used primarily with the prym spring style snaps, which provide for a unique and refined aesthetic style.

 

Best Table Top Snap and Rivet Setter

Weaver Leather makes the Master Tool Little Wonder, which is an excellent, solid, and sturdy tool. It can be used to set rivets, snaps, cap rivets, crystals, punch holes, set double cap and rapid rivets, and set grommets with the right hardware (click here to find it on Weaver Leather Supply). The base can be mounted to a desk or table for more secure operation and comes fully assembled, ready to add right into the shop. 

Kalaso also makes a nice basic version of a press, which includes 5 sets of rivet dies (click here to view it on Amazon). This makes it relatively affordable to get a press and die sets for shop use. 

In Closing

When it comes to leather craft, setting snaps and rivets is a functional and stylish element that can greatly enhance the fit and finish of a piece. Quality hardware and tools make this technique even more enjoyable. As someone who has worked with hardware extensively, I highly recommend investing in a great setting tool for your shop. Don’t underestimate the impact it can have on your finished products.

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