How to Put Heavy-Duty Snaps on Leather
Leather is a rough and tumble material that can withstand all of the abuse that you can throw at it. Whatever application you use leather for, you need to ensure that the trimmings and accessories accompanying the material are just as sturdy as the leather itself. In terms of hardware such as snaps, you will need to use a heavy-duty variety to promote long life in your project as well as proper performance. Putting heavy-duty snaps onto leather is simple and easy with the right tools and method.
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Things You'll Need
- Leather
- Pen or marker
- Leather punch
- Heavy-duty snap set
- Leather snap-setting tool
- Mallet
Instructions
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1
Mark the leather at each point where you want the snap to be installed. This includes both sides of the snap, the post and the cap sides. Use a pen or marker that can be seen clearly on the leather.
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2
Punch a small hole through the marks using a leather punch to allow the snaps to be easily inserted. The hole should be just big enough to allow the stems of the snap pieces to slide into the leather.
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3
Slip the stem of a snap-piece post through one of the holes in the leather. Make sure that if the back of the snap will be visible, you are using a decorative snap piece. If the snap will not be seen, use a plain snap piece.
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4
Set a post snap into the lower jaw of the snap-setting tool with the right side facing down, inside the tool. The post is the side of the snap that fits into the cap of the snap setting and is also called the male side. Make sure that the holding components in the jaw are the male components so that the post will sit properly. If the post is not sitting right, try switching out the components.
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5
Place the leather inside the jaws of the setting tool with the end of the stem pointing down toward the post in the lower jaw. Rest the handle of the tool against your table or floor and press down until the tool closes completely around the leather.
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6
Release the tool handle and pull the leather out of the jaws. The snap post will now be attached to the stem you placed earlier. Switch the tool components for the female ones to complete the snap installation.
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7
Insert another snap stem into the remaining hole in the leather and place a female cap piece into the tool like before. Set the leather inside the jaws and close the tool to secure the cap onto the stem.
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Place the two sides of the leather over each other like you were about to close them. Gently tap the snap closed with a mallet for the first time to make later openings and closings easier to do by hand.
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Tips & Warnings
Practice using your snap setting tool on a piece of scrap leather if it is your first time to avoid damaging your finished leather piece.
Do not use a hammer tool for setting heavy-duty snaps because they will not form a strong enough connection.
References
- Photo Credit Hemera Technologies/PhotoObjects.net/Getty Images
