The Sewing Place
Resources => Your Favourite Suppliers => Topic started by: b15erk on April 17, 2018, 13:01:17 PM
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I've been finding lately, that I've fallen out of love with KamSnaps. Nothing they've done you understand, but I think they limit me to use for just Children's wear, and I would like to use snaps for some of my own stuff.
I've tried the really cheap kits you get with sample snaps, and they are not really the quality I want, I also wanted Nickel Free if possible. I found what I wanted on Ebay yesterday afternoon, and I've just received these snaps from a company called ProSewDarlington, David Pegg - not sure which is the name of the company.
Prym Snaps (https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/122710117395)
Delivery was excellent, and the pack was cheaper than any of the others I looked at, but I would like to buy in bigger quantities. Problem is, I want larger quantities, and not sure that some of the companies out there would be selling genuine Prym snaps. They say they are, but I've been taken in by them before, which is why I've bought in branded packs.
So, my question is, does anyone know where I can buy genuine Prym Snap fasteners, at a reasonable price - preferably Nickel Free?
Jessie
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I've just replenished my original stash of Prym jersey fasteners with these ones (https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/112295993918?ViewItem=&item=112295993918&var=412712747032&ppid=PPX000608&cnac=AU&rsta=en_AU(en_AU)&cust=19D78367NG0322048&unptid=e85b3c50-7ca6-11e7-8404-9c8e992ea258&t=&cal=550c0ea8cb970&calc=550c0ea8cb970&calf=550c0ea8cb970&unp_tpcid=email-receipt-auction-payment&page=main:email&pgrp=main:email&e=op&mchn=em&s=ci&mail=sys). They have Prym branded on the inside ring and have behaved as well as the initial lot that came with the setting tool. I used 10 of them today on an overalls project for my Little Ted and not one misfire. Yay!
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MissThrifty thank you for that! I looked at that company yesterday, but wasn't sure if the Prym brand was legit. I've looked at some cheap snaps - even bought a set - and they are such poor quality.
Now I just need to settle on a tool..... ;) Trying out the tools I have, the results are very poor.
So for now, it will be a good ole hammer!
Jessie
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I'll be keeping an eye on this thread as I feel the same about Kam Snaps now and I've always found them rather challenging on the hands. Some of the metal ones use a hammer so I'm pondering on that option.
Don't forget to update us. :)
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MS, I've trawled many websites and Youtube videos, and a lot seem to advocate the Prym Vario (?) tool. I have the Kam Snap Plier, and wonder if it can be adapted to suit the Prym snaps.
I bought a set of really cheap snaps, rivets and grommets(?), which came with a free tool, and also various other pliers which I've seen on offer at various times - I have yet to make a decent rivet, or pair of snaps with any of them.
I have though, got a cheap metal rivet set which I've used to set rivets in a handbag, and that's OK.
At the moment, I'm going to settle for the free tool with the Prym snaps, and a hammer!
Jessie
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@b15erk Do you have the Prym Vario pliers? I use these for the Prym metal and plastic snaps and for eyelets with quite a low failure rate (though perhaps I've not done enough to draw a firm conclusion).
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I`m following this thread with interest too as I tried putting in some metal snaps a couple of years ago (I think they were Prym) using a hammer and failed miserably. I had to bash them so hard that they distorted
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I'm also following with interest as I had metal snap disasters a while back (some Prym, some not). Some wouldn't go on, some went on ok but then wouldn't close and one went on just fine, closed just fine and could then not be prised apart even by DH with a screwdriver. I've been put off trying them since.
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I highly recommend the Vario pliers. I bought them originally to set eyelets and grommets for corsetry, which they were great for. When I wanted to branch out into KAM snaps I saw Prym made their own of those and there was a setting tool for use with the Vario pliers, so I grabbed some and was impressed. The most I have to do is trim them KAM stem if the fabric is on the thin side, other than that they've been great. The first lot of jersey snaps I tried were from my local habby chain, and they were awful. The prongs didn't line up and the setting tool was the hammer type, so I had to find somewhere that I wouldn't damage to use them- too much faff! That's what brought me to the Prym jersey snaps and the tool- I already had the pliers! The pliers have their drawbacks, sometimes I feel a bit weak in my hands and I'm not sure I've got them in as tight as I could, but they haven't fallen off or anything, so I'm probably being extra cautious there (and in the case of eyelets and grommets, there's always hubby's huge hands). They weren't cheap but I'm not regretting purchasing them. My biggest fear is that Prym will go bust and I'll regret not stashing more. :P
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Another recommendation for Vario pliers. I've used them for Prym plastic snaps, eyelets on corsets and the metal snaps. They're much easier than a hammer.
Can't help with the bulk buy snaps though, but Prosew Darlington is consistently great for service. I use them for zips and odd bits of habby whenever I can. They're so quick!
Suzie :vintage:
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I use the vario pliers, they are so easy to use. My one gripe though is that they do not come with the attachments for different applications so you have to buy one of the small packs of snaps/rivets etc. in order to get the right attachment.
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There are extra packs of "inserts" for the Vario pliers that can be bought as stand alone items, though I think some of these might be included now with the newer Vario Love pliers.
https://www.prym.com/en/piercing-tools-for-vario-pliers-673125?c=4356
https://www.prym.com/en/colour-snaps-tool-set-673115?c=4356
If anyone is tempted to get some Vario pliers but is in no rush, it might be worthwhile signing up for newsletters from Jaycotts and/or Weaver Dee as both have had special offers on Prym products in the past.
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This is the array of tools I've accumulated over the years. (see Pic below) To date, none of them have worked well enough for me to use.
The piercing tools don't pierce, and the snap setters are inconsistent, and frankly poor quality.
I also have the Kam Snap tool though, which works very well, but only for the KamSnaps.
I've played around for an hour or so, and I've found a combination which works with the cheapy snaps - I've not tried the Pryms yet! I've used the red tool, with the less rigid retaining thingies, and given a few sharp taps with a fairly large hammer! I think my lack of wrist strength may have something to do with all the fails!
So, not sure about the Prym vario tool, as I don't seem to have the wrist strength required. I'm now looking at the larger setting tools - anyone got one?
Jessie
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Ooooo girls! Thanks for all the lovely replies! :)
It seems the Prym Vario tool is very good, so I'm going to give it a go. Does it come with the dies for the Jersey snaps (the ones that have a ring at the front, not a solid)? Or do I need to buy this seperately?
Jessie
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I find, as a feeble girlie, that counterintuitively a larger hammer works for me. I don't have the strength to hammer but I have the strength to lift one and let it fall! Consequently I use a lump hammer for everything.
In conclusion, hit it harder! 0_0
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Love the mental image of the feeble girlie with the lump hammer.
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I think the white setting insert that came with your pack of jersey snaps will fit in the Vario pliers.
Looking at the Vario and Vario Love pliers, it seems that the Love option includes the inserts for the coloured plastic snaps. However, I used the insert that came with a pack of plastic snaps in my original Vario pliers rather than buy the inserts separately.
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If you've bought the full set of Prym jersey snaps with the foldy-over setting tool you hit with a hammer, you just pop out those dies and chuck 'em in the Vario pliers. And if you want to try their Colour Snaps dies (sold separately, as linked by StitchinTime), they work with any KAM snaps that are 12mm (aka T5 and/or Size 20).
As for a piercing tools, I love my screw hole punch. The piecing tool from Prym worked ok, but I can get through multiple layers with the screw punch on a cutting mat, whereas the Prym version struggled.
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Prym vario pliers with an assortment of fastenings currently £18.95 at Jaycotts (anywhere between £25 & £43+) elsewhere.
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Thank you all for such helpful replies!
Good to know the little dies from the free tool fit MrsT and SiT, it meant I could pay slightly less for the Prym Vario Tool. I got it for £11.45 from Amazon, but good to know that Jaycotts stock Prym in case I need any other adapters, so thanks Plosh.
I have tried one set of the fasteners, but it did take a few hefty whacks with the hammer, so I've decided to wait until my trusty tool arrives - hopefully tomorrow!
I'm now going to order another batch of snaps (thanks for the link MrsT), so that there won't be all this fuss next time!
I will post a pic tomorrow of the Rompers with fitted snaps (hopefully)!
Jessie
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Just ordered 2 lots of snaps from the Trimming Shop. The first is the 10mm Nickel free Prym set, but they only had all metal, so, because I wanted white, I'm going to try an unbranded snap which is only 9.5mm. Both lots were only £6.40 delivered, so not much lost, and I'll be able to compare.
I'll let you all know how I go on.
Jessie
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Just received my first order from the Trimming Shop - very quick. However, only half of the order was right. :(
They have sent solid topped poppers and not the ring ones I requested. Good job I haven't got an immediate need for them....
Just waiting for my Pry Vario Tool now.
Jessie
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Sorted the snaps, and another set are on the way to me, good service from the Trimming shop!
Still no Prym Vario though.... :(
Jessie
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Following the recommendations I ordered a Prym Vario from Jaycotts (with the assortment of fastenings) on Wednesday and it came today.
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I've only just seen this thread. After finishing a moto type jacket all it needs is the snaps. I initially bought the little Pyrm pack with the snap size I wanted and the tool. First attempt I couldn't even get the hole using three pieces of my fabric to represent back and front and the interfacing. When I eventually got the hole (using a hammer) I then had trouble with the first back snap.
I looked at different videos and eventually found this video, which although in German, visually was better on what went where, which was where I was going wrong.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6yhNkaMW4Y
I did my test one and it worked perfectly. Then I realised that my tool wouldn't work for the back one because it was too far away and there was too much fabric, so ordered the plier set with extras (Jaycotts) but that wouldn't work either so gone for the tripod for the back piece (only £4 and free delivery on Amazon).
Only extra problem I have is that DH came upstairs when I was hammering, what are you doing etc. Wanted to do it, I was still on the sorting out what went where and didn't want him around.
So now when I'm ready to roll I've got to wait while he out of the way so I can hammer in peace.