Metal snaps with a snap press

[Dunners]

I recently bought a size 16 metal snap die set from Serena in China ($20 US + shipping charges if any). She only has sets that take the screw in die pieces (not for the presses that require an allen key). The die set includes a screw in socket/stud holder, a cap holder for the open ring cap, and a cap holder for the full cap. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/notionsupply/ for ordering, http://www.picturetrail.com/xiaohua68847 to see her range of stock.

I have a sample set of "open ring grip" snaps from Kamsnaps. They DO work in the above die set, IF I don't screw the die piece in fully. http://www.kamsnaps.com/Metal-Snaps-c12/%20Kamsnaps are clearing the metal snap stock (and will not be restocking).

(I also have a packet of Birch open ring grip snaps that came in a hammer tool set. These work with the press dies too).

The snapstore stocks a wide range of size 16 metal snaps http://thesnapstore.com/catalog/index.php/cPath/36 with open ring & full caps. (if you're like me DON'T check out the caps with designs on them ). These have "long prong" noted - I suspect this will mean that the prongs are longer and that the die piece does not have to be slightly unscrewed for it to work properly.

I have not tested the closed cap snaps in a die set from Serena because I do not have any (yet )

[macca]

SO you gonna do a co-op

[sjl]

The snapstore stocks a wide range of size 16 metal snaps http://thesnapstore.com/catalog/index.php/cPath/36 with open ring & full caps. (if you're like me DON'T check out the caps with designs on them ). These have "long prong" noted - I suspect this will mean that the prongs are longer and that the die piece does not have to be slightly unscrewed for it to work properly.

I have not tested the closed cap snaps in a die set from Serena because I do not have any (yet )

i have some snapstore snaps - will give them a go with my new die set at the weekend and post back

[sjl]

I had a play with my lovely new die set (also from Serena), and after a slight technical hitch when I screwed the open ring cap holder into the upper part of the press, it all works really well.
I have open and closed ring snaps from snapsource (not snap store as I said earlier ) and the dies work perfectly.
- no more squashed prongs out the side, no really sore fingers from forcing the prongs through the fabric first.

I also tried out some size 14 snaps and although you can't use the open ring holder and a bit more care was needed (as it doesn't automatically line up the two halves) it worked ok as well.
Also checked out the sizing of other random snaps I had - trendy trimz and birch and they both fit ok.

And the other very large bonus is (according to dh) I no longer sound like I'm building a new house!
So thank you Dunners for organising the co-op!

[sjl]

forgot to add - the prongs of the long prong snaps I have are about 1.5mm longer than the ones bought in nz (trendy trimz)