Bag Making Techniques, Tutorials

Video: How to Use a Rivet Press

Rivet presses are confusing! What size dies do I get? Which rivets and grommets go with those dies? So many numbers and so many options. I’m levelling the playing field with this free video, showing you my rivet press, what dies I own, and how they work.

I purchased my rivet press and dies from MinkusMargo on Etsy.

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  • The shop where I purchased mine is taking an expended break but the principles are the same for all rivet presses. Every thing (be it rivets or grommets) needs a separate die. And often each size of each thing needs a separate die!
  • First you make the hole and then you set/press the item.
  • This tutorial shows how to use a rivet press for making bags, including what size dies I use to punch holes and then to set rivets and grommets.
  • I use a 3mm punch (a die) to make a hole for both small grommets and rivets. Then I switch the die out and put in the rivet die set to press a rivet. I mostly use 8mm with a 6mm post. Or a grommet die set to press a grommet. I use 3mm for buckles. The larger grommets (6mm) require a larger hole punch and a different die to set them.

14 thoughts on “Video: How to Use a Rivet Press

  1. Sylvia Brown says:

    Awesome

  2. Sally says:

    Thank you for the rivet press tutorial!

    1. Sara Lawson says:

      Thank you so much Sally, glad it was helpful!!

      1. pat says:

        where did you get pink press

  3. Magdalena says:

    What is the brand of the press you have?

    1. Magdalena says:

      Oops. Just saw the link about. Thanks for the video 🙂

  4. Thanks for this Video,
    but you should underlay for the eyelet holes a rest of leather or felt, then the holes are punched out completely.
    Nähoma (Sewinggranny)

  5. Teri says:

    I wish you could write what you use so we would know what to buy with the press. Thank you

  6. Cecelia says:

    Is this the kam press?

    1. Sara Lawson says:

      Hi Cecilia – this is not the KAM press (although I do have a separate KAM press and that one is pink). Thanks!

  7. Katie Hooker says:

    I’m not sure if this will help anyone else, but I put this together because I have a Kamsnaps DK93 press and they don’t sell every die that I want and I needed to know if I could buy dies from anywhere else. The diameter of the die is typically listed in the product description.

    Kamsnaps DK93 Table press:
    3/4″ (19mm) – Bottom Die Shank Diameter
    5/16″ (8mm) – Top Die Shank Diameter

    Kamsnaps KX Hand Press:
    3/8″ (9.5mm) – Bottom Die Shank Diameter
    5/16″ (8mm) – Top Die Shank Diameter

    Kamsnaps (old) DK98 Table Press:
    1/2″ (12.7mm) – Bottom Die Shank Diameter
    3/8″ (9.5mm) – Top Die Shank Diameter

    Kamsnaps also sells adapters that will allow you to buy dies that fit the hand press and still be able to use them on the Table Press.

  8. Tonya Stokley says:

    To me it so so confusing about what’s sizes all is needed to have on had for making clothes and using for hand bags but more clothes I’m taking notes as to what sizes you and hoping that is everything I’ll need ! There is a terrible selection for the home sewer at stores and these can be very pricy when you add it all up to which sizes but now I’ve went into buying one with a 9mm I know die and I’ve got some snaps and rivets but idk how to even use it lol I’d like to order more sizes hopefully this video will help me buy the right sizes ! I almost went with the kam snaps but I seen they don’t carry all the dies so maybe I went with the right company idk

  9. JANET TWEEDY says:

    Loved your youtube have saved it for future reference, really helps !! Tried kam snaps but some of them don’t wnat to squish and I think metal looks better on many things. I LOVE your handles on the bags in the background, i wanted to hve them on my square fabric boxes that you do but couldn’t work out how to add two rather than one 🙂

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